Acts 21 24

Acts 21:24 kjv

Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

Acts 21:24 nkjv

Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.

Acts 21:24 niv

Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.

Acts 21:24 esv

take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.

Acts 21:24 nlt

Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 24 Meaning

This verse describes a specific ritual that Paul and the other believers are advised to undertake. It is presented as a way to demonstrate to the Jewish Christians that Paul continues to adhere to the Law of Moses, specifically concerning Nazirite vows. The intention is to counter the false accusations that Paul has been teaching Jewish believers to forsake Moses.

Acts 21 24 Context

In Acts chapter 21, Paul has arrived in Jerusalem and is met by church leaders, including James. They have heard reports that Paul has been teaching Jewish believers to turn away from Moses' law, especially regarding circumcision. To counter these rumors and to show that Paul still respected Jewish traditions, they propose that he participate in a purification ritual alongside four men who have taken a Nazirite vow. This public demonstration is intended to prove his adherence to the Law and to reassure the thousands of Jewish believers who are zealous for the Law. The leaders are concerned about unrest and their own reputation among the devout Jewish population.

Acts 21 24 Word Analysis

• "Take": (Greek: paralambano)
  • Meaning: To take along, receive, or accept.
  • Significance: Implies voluntary participation and cooperation with the counsel given. Paul readily agrees to this course of action.
• "You": (Greek: su)
  • Meaning: The plural "you," referring to Paul.
  • Significance: Direct instruction to Paul from James and the elders.
• "And": (Greek: kai)
  • Meaning: Connects clauses, indicating addition or continuation.
  • Significance: Links the action of purifying oneself with the act of contributing to the offering.
• "Purify": (Greek: hagnizo)
  • Meaning: To make ceremonially clean, to purify oneself.
  • Significance: Refers to the ritual cleansing and sanctification required as part of the Nazirite vow or before presenting an offering.
• "Yourself": (Greek: seauton)
  • Meaning: Reflexive pronoun, referring back to the subject (Paul).
  • Significance: Emphasizes that the purification is a personal act.
• "And": (Greek: kai)
  • Meaning: Connects clauses, indicating addition or continuation.
  • Significance: Links the act of purifying oneself with contributing to the offering.
• "With them": (Greek: met' autōn)
  • Meaning: In company with them; accompanying them.
  • Significance: Indicates Paul would participate alongside the four men who had Nazirite vows. This visually demonstrates his solidarity with those observing the Law.
• "And": (Greek: kai)
  • Meaning: Connects clauses, indicating addition or continuation.
  • Significance: Links their joint participation to covering their expenses.
• "Pay the expense": (Greek: dapanáō)
  • Meaning: To spend, expend, or pay the cost.
  • Significance: Refers to providing for the sacrificial offerings required for the completion of the Nazirite vows. This shows generosity and a willingness to fund the ritual.
• "Of them": (Greek: autōn)
  • Meaning: Pertaining to them.
  • Significance: The expense is for the completion of their vows.
• "That": (Greek: hopōs)
  • Meaning: In order that, so that.
  • Significance: Introduces the purpose of this action.
• "Their heads": (Greek: tōn kephalōn autōn)
  • Meaning: Referring to the heads of the four men.
  • Significance: Specifically points to the shaving of the head, a visible sign of the completion of the Nazirite vow (Num 6:18).
• "May be shaved": (Greek: xurētai)
  • Meaning: That they may be shaven. Passive voice.
  • Significance: The act of shaving the head was part of the culmination of the Nazirite vow, signifying the end of the separation period.
• "And": (Greek: kai)
  • Meaning: Connects clauses.
  • Significance: Links the shaving of heads to Paul's presence and contribution.
• "That": (Greek: hopōs)
  • Meaning: In order that, so that.
  • Significance: Introduces the desired outcome of Paul's participation.
• "All": (Greek: pantas)
  • Meaning: Every, all.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the comprehensive impact Paul's actions should have.
• "May know": (Greek: ginōskōsi)
  • Meaning: To know, to understand, to recognize.
  • Significance: The objective is not just conformity, but the actual understanding and acceptance by others.
• "That": (Greek: hoti)
  • Meaning: That, because.
  • Significance: Introduces the content of what they should know.
• "Those things": (Greek: ha)
  • Meaning: Things which, what.
  • Significance: Refers to the accusations against Paul.
• "Whereof": (Greek: perienchō)
  • Meaning: Pertaining to, concerning. Often used with peri.
  • Significance: Refers to the matters they had been informed about regarding Paul.
• "They": (Greek: autous)
  • Meaning: They (the Jewish believers).
  • Significance: The people who have been wrongly informed.
• "Have been told": (Greek: dielalēsan)
  • Meaning: To speak through, to tell about. Perfect tense.
  • Significance: Suggests these are ongoing or well-established rumors.
• "Concerning": (Greek: peri)
  • Meaning: About, concerning.
  • Significance: Specifies the subject of the information.
• "You": (Greek: sou)
  • Meaning: Your (Paul's).
  • Significance: The accusations are about Paul's teaching and actions.
• "Are": (Greek: eisi)
  • Meaning: Are, exist.
  • Significance: States the existence of these reports.
• "False": (Greek: pseudēs)
  • Meaning: False, untrue, lying.
  • Significance: Explicitly states the nature of the accusations—they are lies.
• "But": (Greek: alla)
  • Meaning: But, rather.
  • Significance: Contrasts the falsehood of the rumors with the truth Paul will demonstrate.
• "That": (Greek: kai)
  • Meaning: And, also.
  • Significance: Connects to the previous clause to show the alternative truth.
• "You": (Greek: su)
  • Meaning: You (Paul).
  • Significance: Focuses on Paul's own actions.
• "Also": (Greek: kai)
  • Meaning: Also, even.
  • Significance: Reinforces that Paul, in addition to his usual ministry, will participate in this ritual.
• "Keep": (Greek: fulasso)
  • Meaning: To guard, keep, observe.
  • Significance: Emphasizes careful adherence to the Law.
• "The Law": (Greek: ton nomon)
  • Meaning: The Law (referring to the Law of Moses).
  • Significance: The specific code of practice being addressed.
• "And": (Greek: kai)
  • Meaning: And.
  • Significance: Links his observance of the Law to his actions.
• "Order": (Greek: euaggelizomenois) - Note: This seems to be a textual variation or a misinterpretation in some lexical lists for this specific context. The common understanding of the Greek here for ordering or customs related to the Law in such instances would be implied by the actions described rather than a distinct word like 'euaggelizomenois' (preaching the gospel), which fits later contexts of Paul's ministry. If we assume a more fitting Greek word was intended to represent "observing custom," the meaning revolves around continued obedience to established Jewish religious practices.
  • Significance: Paul would be seen as following the established practices and regulations of the Jewish faith.

Words Group Analysis

• "Take... and purify yourself... and pay the expense of them, that their heads may be shaved": This phrase details the practical actions required. Paul is to participate in the ritual, financially support it, and witness its completion. This composite action is a tangible demonstration of respect for the Nazirite vow.
• "That all may know, that those things whereof they have been told concerning you are false": This is the strategic goal. The combined actions are meant to counteract false information and correct public perception. The emphasis is on creating an undeniable public testimony.
• "But that you also keep the Law": This concisely states the underlying principle and objective: Paul’s personal adherence to the Law is being affirmed through this participation, thereby refuting claims that he preached against it.

Acts 21 24 Bonus Section

This strategy employed by the Jerusalem elders, and embraced by Paul, reflects a pragmatic approach to church leadership and conflict resolution. It’s a response to a real pastoral concern: maintaining harmony among believers from diverse backgrounds and preventing misunderstanding that could hinder the spread of the Gospel. This incident underscores that for Paul, "keeping the Law" in this context was not about salvation by the Law (a doctrine he strongly opposed, as seen in Galatians), but about respecting Jewish customs and traditions as a matter of communal harmony and evangelistic strategy for Jewish audiences. The Nazirite vow itself, a voluntary period of separation and dedication to God, was a recognized aspect of Jewish piety. By participating in the financial support and completion of such vows for others, Paul demonstrated a communal spirit rather than a rebellion against the Law's structure. It also shows that not all laws needed to be abandoned for Jewish believers to embrace Christ; rather, the focus shifted to Christ's fulfillment and what it meant for them in practice, while grace and love guided their interaction with existing traditions.

Acts 21 24 Commentary

This verse encapsulates Paul's commitment to unity and sensitivity within the early church. Faced with serious accusations that could alienate the large number of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, the elders suggest a public demonstration of Paul's respect for the Law of Moses. Paul readily agrees to participate in a Nazirite purification rite. This involved financial contribution to sacrifices and shared religious observance. The goal was to visually prove that the rumors of Paul's anti-Law teaching were false, reinforcing his continued commitment to Jewish heritage while simultaneously ministering to the needs of these specific believers and upholding the Law in its intended manner. This action highlights the delicate balance Paul often navigated to ensure the Gospel message could reach all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, without unnecessary division over matters of custom or practice, as long as they did not contradict the core truths of Christ. Paul's willingness to humble himself and participate in this ritual demonstrates his strategic application of the principle stated in 1 Corinthians 9:20: "To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews." It’s a practical embodiment of accommodating others to win them for Christ.