Acts 21 18

Acts 21:18 kjv

And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

Acts 21:18 nkjv

On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

Acts 21:18 niv

The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.

Acts 21:18 esv

On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

Acts 21:18 nlt

The next day Paul went with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 18 Meaning

Acts 21:18 describes a pivotal moment shortly after Paul's arrival in Jerusalem, where he, accompanied by the narrator (Luke) and other companions, formally presented himself to James, the recognized leader of the Jerusalem church, and all the gathered elders. This meeting served as an official report to the central church authority regarding Paul's extensive missionary work among the Gentiles, highlighting his respect for church order and the desire for unity amidst diverse ministries. It set the stage for crucial discussions regarding the relationship between Jewish Christian traditions and Gentile converts.

Acts 21 18 Context

Acts 21:18 occurs immediately after Paul's arrival in Jerusalem from his third missionary journey (Acts 21:15-17). Despite repeated warnings of danger and suffering (Acts 20:22-23; 21:4; 21:10-14), Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, carrying financial aid for the poor believers there (Rom 15:25-27) and seeking to maintain unity between Jewish and Gentile segments of the church. This verse sets the scene for Paul's official report to the established leadership of the mother church in Jerusalem, particularly James, the brother of the Lord and a key figure since the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:13; Gal 2:9). The gathering of "all the elders" underscores the formality and significance of the occasion, as Paul's mission had implications for the wider church's identity and practice, particularly concerning the inclusion of Gentiles and their relationship to the Mosaic Law. This meeting, therefore, is a moment of accountability and inter-church communion before the events leading to Paul's arrest and extended imprisonment unfold.

Acts 21 18 Word analysis

• And: (Greek: Καὶ - Kai) Connects this action directly to the events of the preceding day—Paul's arrival and the initial welcoming by the brethren (Acts 21:17). It signals an immediate progression in Paul's itinerary and engagement with the Jerusalem church.
• the day following: (Greek: τῇ ἐχομένῃ - tē echomenē) Lit. "on the next (day)." A specific temporal marker, indicating that this important meeting with the church leadership happened without delay. It emphasizes Paul's swift movement to address official church matters after his arrival.
• Paul: The apostle, central figure in Gentile mission. His presence signifies a report on behalf of the burgeoning Gentile churches, affirming his connection to the foundational Jerusalem community.
• went in: (Greek: εἰσῄει - eiseiei) Implies a formal entry into a dwelling or meeting place, not a casual encounter. This suggests Paul sought an official audience, respecting the authority structure.
• with us: (Greek: σὺν ἡμῖν - syn hēmin) The inclusion of "us" signals the presence of the narrator, Luke, and likely Paul's other companions from the journey to Jerusalem. Luke's use of "we" passages authenticates the account as an eyewitness record. Their presence testifies to Paul's fellowship and provides support.
• unto James: (Greek: πρὸς Ἰάκωβον - pros Iakōbon) James, the brother of Jesus, was a leading apostle and held a prominent leadership role in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13; Gal 2:9). Reporting "unto James" signifies acknowledging the specific authority and seniority he held within the church's central leadership.
• and all: (Greek: καὶ πάντες - kai pantes) Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the gathering. It was not a selective few, but the entire body of leadership.
• the elders: (Greek: οἱ πρεσβύτεροι - hoi presbyteroi) Refers to the recognized spiritual leaders or overseers of the Jerusalem church, holding authority and responsibility for its governance and doctrine. Their collective presence represents the formal, official church body.
• were present: (Greek: παρῆσαν - parēsan) Implies that the elders were intentionally gathered, ready to receive Paul's report. It was a formal assembly convened for this significant meeting, underscoring the gravity and importance of Paul's mission report to the early church.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the day following Paul went in with us": This phrase highlights Paul's prompt action in seeking to engage with the Jerusalem leadership, emphasizing his intentionality and the immediate significance of this encounter after his arrival. The inclusion of "us" (Luke and others) demonstrates a communal act of reporting and support.
• "unto James; and all the elders were present": This phrase pinpoints the precise audience and validates their collective authority. James, as the preeminent leader, along with "all the elders," signifying the entire local presbytery or council, attests to the official nature and comprehensive reach of the meeting within the Jerusalem church. It signals that Paul was addressing the church's unified leadership.

Acts 21 18 Bonus section

The immediate convening of James and "all the elders" upon Paul's arrival highlights the established organizational structure of the early church. This was not a loose, unorganized movement but one with defined leadership and processes for reporting and decision-making, even concerning an apostle as prominent as Paul. The continuity of leadership, with James as the preeminent figure, echoes the role of the apostles in Jerusalem following Pentecost, emphasizing a rootedness and consistency in governance. Furthermore, the willingness of Paul to report to James and the elders underscores the Jerusalem church's continued authority and symbolic importance as the spiritual "mother church," particularly for Jewish Christians, and how unity with it was paramount for broader Christian identity and mission. The underlying tension concerning the Law between Jewish and Gentile believers, often addressed by Paul in his letters (e.g., Galatians), makes this formal reporting to Jerusalem's predominantly Jewish leadership exceptionally significant, as it sought to bridge potential divides through transparency and shared understanding.

Acts 21 18 Commentary

This verse opens a crucial juncture in Paul's narrative within Acts. It demonstrates Paul's submission to the established order and accountability to the broader Christian community, represented by James and the elders of Jerusalem. His immediate meeting upon arrival, rather than a casual greeting, signifies the importance of his mission and the necessity of unifying the Jewish and Gentile expressions of faith. It reaffirms the central role of the Jerusalem church in the nascent Christian movement, even as the gospel was spreading across the Roman Empire. The full presence of "all the elders" indicates a formal and official consultation, where transparency and consensus were sought regarding Paul's extensive and impactful ministry among the Gentiles. This gathering underscores principles of church governance, mutual respect among leaders, and the value of communication for maintaining unity and understanding across diverse ministry contexts. For practical usage, this interaction serves as a model for leadership accountability, cross-cultural ministry reporting, and seeking the collective wisdom of seasoned church leaders for weighty matters.