Acts 21:26 kjv
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
Acts 21:26 nkjv
Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
Acts 21:26 niv
The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.
Acts 21:26 esv
Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
Acts 21:26 nlt
So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them.
Acts 21 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 6:2-5 | "When either a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord... must be holy." | Defines Nazirite vow and separation. |
| Num 6:13-20 | "Now this is the law for the Nazirite when his time of separation has ended..." | Details completion of Nazirite vow with offerings. |
| Lev 14:1-20 | "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing...'" | Examples of ritual purification requiring offerings. |
| Acts 18:18 | "After this, Paul stayed many days longer... He had his hair cut off at Cenchreae, for he had taken a vow." | Paul's own previous vow, demonstrating personal practice. |
| 1 Cor 9:19-23 | "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all... I have become all things to all people." | Paul's missionary strategy of cultural adaptability. |
| Rom 14:19-20 | "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God." | Prioritizing unity and peace in non-essential matters. |
| Acts 15:19-21 | "Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from..." | Jerusalem Council's decision on Gentile converts, affirming Jewish believers' traditions. |
| Gal 2:3-5 | "But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised... We did not yield in submission for even an hour..." | Paul's boundary against circumcision as a requirement for salvation. |
| Acts 21:20-21 | "And they said to him, 'You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed. They are all zealous for the Law...' " | Context: The reason for Paul's actions – to counter rumors and soothe Jewish believers. |
| Acts 21:24 | "Take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads..." | Direct proposal by James to Paul. |
| 1 Cor 10:32-33 | "Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything." | Paul's aim to avoid causing offense for the sake of the Gospel. |
| Phil 3:4-6 | "If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more... as to the law, a Pharisee..." | Paul's strong Jewish credentials and background. |
| Col 2:16-17 | "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival..." | Christian freedom from ceremonial law as salvific requirements. |
| Heb 9:13-14 | "For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more..." | Comparison to Christ's superior purification; ceremonial washings are external. |
| Matt 5:17 | "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." | Christ's relationship to the Law, fulfilling its purposes. |
| Jas 2:18 | "But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." | Living out faith; actions demonstrating belief/sincerity. |
| Mal 3:3-4 | "He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord." | Prophecy of future purification related to offerings. |
| Ezr 6:19-21 | "The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together." | Example of community purification before religious feasts. |
| Neh 12:30 | "And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and then they purified the people and the gates and the wall." | Corporate ritual purification for religious service. |
| Psa 5:7 | "But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you." | Entering God's house (temple) with reverence. |
| Psa 26:12 | "My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the Lord." | Public worship and praise in sacred spaces. |
Acts 21 verses
Acts 21 26 Meaning
Acts 21:26 describes Paul's immediate action after hearing the advice of James and the elders in Jerusalem. To demonstrate that he upheld Jewish Law and customs, and to appease Jewish believers, Paul agreed to join four men who had a vow of purification (likely a Nazirite vow) for their final temple rituals. This involved entering the temple, observing the purification period, and being responsible for the expenses of their culminating sacrifices, thus publicly affirming his respect for traditional Jewish practices without compromising the core message of the Gospel.
Acts 21 26 Context
Acts 21 describes Paul's final journey to Jerusalem, despite prophecies and warnings of impending trouble. Upon arrival, he met with James and the elders of the church, reporting on his extensive ministry among the Gentiles. In response, James and the elders, acknowledging the zealousness of many Jewish believers for the Law and the widespread rumors that Paul was teaching Jews to abandon Moses, suggested a specific course of action (Acts 21:20-24). They proposed that Paul join four Jewish Christians who were completing a Nazirite vow. This public act of purification and the payment for their associated temple sacrifices would visibly demonstrate Paul's respect for the Law and temple practices, thus dispelling the rumors and fostering unity among the diverse segments of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Paul's agreement and immediate undertaking of this act, as described in verse 26, signify his strategic decision to demonstrate his commitment to his Jewish heritage and to peace, even if the legal observances were no longer salvifically necessary. Historically, the Jerusalem church comprised many Jewish converts who continued to observe elements of the Mosaic Law, unlike the predominantly Gentile churches Paul established.
Acts 21 26 Word analysis
- Then Paul: Indicates immediate action, an agreement to the elders' advice. It shows Paul's humility and willingness to follow counsel, prioritizing unity.
- took the men: Refers to the four Jewish Christians who had undertaken a vow, likely a Nazirite vow. This public association aligns Paul with devout Jewish practice.
- the next day: Emphasizes promptness, not delaying the demonstration of good faith.
- purified himself: Greek hagnisamenos (ἁγνισάμενος), meaning "to cleanse ritually" or "to sanctify oneself." This was a ceremonial cleansing required by the Law for those ending a Nazirite vow (Num 6:13) or before entering certain areas of the temple. It wasn't about moral cleansing, which Christ alone provides, but cultural and religious observance. Paul subjected himself to Jewish custom.
- with them: Highlights Paul's solidarity and identification with the Jewish believers. He was not merely an observer but a participant, taking on their purification requirements.
- entered the temple: The physical location was crucial for the public display and the performance of required rituals, particularly the sacrifices. The temple was central to Jewish worship and identity.
- to announce: Greek diaggellein (διαγγέλλειν), meaning "to announce through" or "to declare publicly." Paul's purpose was to make a public statement to the temple priests or officials about the completion of the vow period for himself and the others, enabling the next steps of the ritual.
- the completion of the days of purification: This refers to the specific period required for the Nazirite vow, which involved ritual abstentions, and its ending rituals (Num 6:5, 13). By associating with these men, Paul demonstrated adherence to the timeframes and strictures of the Mosaic Law.
- until the offering was offered for each one of them: The culmination of the purification process involved prescribed sacrifices (burnt offerings, sin offerings, peace offerings) at the temple, usually accompanied by a shaved head (Num 6:14-17). Paul undertook the expense and responsibility for these sacrifices for the four men, further underscoring his dedication to their fulfillment of the Law. This also meant waiting several days, depending on how much time remained in their vows, before the sacrifices could be made.
- Paul purified himself with them and entered the temple: This group of words emphasizes Paul's full commitment to the required ritual steps. It shows him fully engaged in a Jewish act of piety, designed to refute the accusations against him. His participation was costly in time and money, making it a tangible demonstration.
- to announce the completion of the days of purification until the offering was offered: This phrase defines the specific stage of the Nazirite vow Paul was entering into. It wasn't just a general cleansing, but a particular, defined set of steps tied to a vow, ending with a temple sacrifice. It shows a precise understanding and execution of the Law.
Acts 21 26 Bonus section
Paul's involvement in these purification rituals illustrates a practical application of his "to the Jew I became as a Jew" principle (1 Cor 9:20). It was a strategic, evangelistic, and conciliatory gesture, aiming to remove obstacles to faith for zealous Jewish believers and demonstrate that one could be a follower of Christ and still respect one's heritage. The irony, though not explicitly stated in this verse, is that despite his efforts to show solidarity, the ensuing riot that led to his arrest (Acts 21:27-30) was provoked by zealous Jews who misunderstood or deliberately misrepresented his actions. They accused him of bringing Gentiles into the temple, which was a capital offense. This demonstrates the deep divisions and fierce opposition Paul faced, where even acts of good faith were misinterpreted or exploited by his adversaries. This also highlights the early Church's challenge in balancing continuity with Judaism against the radical inclusivity of the Gospel, which removed ritual barriers between Jew and Gentile.
Acts 21 26 Commentary
Acts 21:26 presents Paul engaging in an act of profound cultural sensitivity and strategic unity within the nascent Christian community. Confronted with accusations that he undermined Jewish Law and tradition among his own people, Paul, at the advice of James and the elders, willingly underwent a purification rite associated with a Nazirite vow and pledged to cover the expenses for others completing theirs. This action was not born of necessity for salvation, which Paul steadfastly taught came through faith in Christ alone, but from a pastoral desire to maintain peace and credibility among Jewish believers (1 Cor 9:19-23). He demonstrated that adherence to Jewish custom, when it did not compromise the Gospel, was permissible for a Christian. This highlights Paul's wisdom in navigating the tension between Christian freedom and cultural obligations. While the efficacy of such rituals was superseded by Christ's sacrifice, the social and relational impact of respecting ancestral traditions remained significant. Ironically, this act of conciliation ultimately became the very catalyst for the riot that led to his arrest (Acts 21:27-30).