The Book of Acts

Paul is Arrested

Acts 21:26-36 _NLT

“...some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him.” (v. 27)

            As you will recall, Paul agreed to take part in a purification ritual to show that he was not opposed to following Jewish customs. When the 7 days were nearly over Asian Jews, whom Paul had encountered before, saw Paul in the Temple and began to stir up a crowd against the apostle. They rushed Paul, grabbed him, and began to beat him with the purpose of killing him. The accusers distorted the facts to justify their attack. 

            The commander of the local Roman regiment heard of the uprising and with soldiers and officers (aka*, Centurions) in tow, arrived at the scene where the beating was taking place. Upon seeing the regiment they stopped beating Paul. The commander** asked the Jews who the man was and what he had done to rile them up. They shouted out this and that, so being unable to find out the truth of the matter, the commander arrested Paul ordering that he be taken to the fortress***. The commander would not allow mob justice on his watch, so he took charge of Paul so that Roman law would determine the apostle’s fate and not the Jews. Little did the commander, or the Jews realize that God was in control of all that was taking place. The statement ‘everything happens for a reason’**** is applicable here. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*aka - “also known as”

** “The commander of the troops at this time was Claudius Lysias. He was head of the regiment (a special group, part of a legion) of Roman soldiers and was the senior Roman official in Jerusalem.” [Bible Chapter notes: p. 2448)

*** Various translations use the words ‘castle’, ‘barracks’ and ‘tower’ in place of fortress. It was obviously where prisoners were heard.

Note: The Roman troops in Jerusalem were well trained to control Jewish riots, and on this occasion only their swift action prevented Paul from being murdered (32). Lysias, the military commander, had no idea who Paul was or what he had done to make the Jews angry, but he was determined to see him dealt with properly according to Roman law, not by mob violence (33-36). [www.studylight.org/commentary]

**** Believe it or not the quote “everything happens for a reason” was a quote from none other than actress Marilyn Monroe. Here’s the entire quote: “I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”