Chapter 20—Paul a Prisoner
On the following day Paul proceeded to comply with the counsel
of the elders. There were among the believers in Jerusalem at that time
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four persons who were under the Nazarite vow, [
Numbers 6
.] the term
of which had nearly expired. Certain sacrifices for purification were
yet to be offered, which were so costly as to be impossible for a very
poor man. It was considered by the Jews a pious act for a wealthy man
to defray the necessary expenses and thus assist his poorer brethren
to complete their vow. This, Paul had consented to do for the four
Christian Nazarites. The apostle himself was poor, working with his
own hands for his daily bread, yet he willingly incurred this expense,
and accompanied the Nazarites to the temple to unite with them in the
ceremonies of the seven days of purification.
Those who had counseled Paul to perform this act of concession
had not fully considered the great peril to which he would be exposed.
At this season, strangers from all regions of the world thronged the
streets of Jerusalem, and delighted to congregate in the temple courts.
As Paul, in the fulfillment of his commission, had borne the gospel
to the Gentiles, he had visited many of the world’s largest cities, and
was well known to thousands who came from foreign parts to attend
the feast. For him to enter the temple on a public occasion was to risk
his life. For several days he passed in and out among the worshipers,
apparently unnoticed; but before the close of the specified period,
as he was conversing with the priest concerning the sacrifices to be
offered, he was recognized by some of the Jews from Asia. These
men had been defeated in their controversy with him in the synagogue
at Ephesus, and had become more and more enraged against him as
they witnessed his success in raising up a Christian church in that city.
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They now saw him where they had not supposed that he would trust
himself,—within the very precincts of the temple. Now he was in their
power, and they determined to make him suffer for his boldness.
With the fury of demons they rushed upon him, crying, “Men of
Israel, help! This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against
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