Paul's arrest in Jerusalem
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 55:46
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Paul’s intention and knowledge
Paul’s intention and knowledge
Paul had been heading to Jerusalem for Pentecost and with purpose too. Here is what we know.
Paul’s intentions, be in Jerusalem by Pentecost (Act20:16)
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Paul’s purpose, to carry the gift for the needy in Jerusalem (Rom15:25-27; 1Cor16:1-4)
25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.
In 1Cor16 you can read on your own about the special collection that was to be made and the people to encourage to journey with Paul to Jerusalem to carry the gift.
Paul’s knowledge of what awaited him (Act20:22-23, 21:10-11)
22 “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
and the prophesy spoken and illustration to Paul.
10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
Paul’s welcome in Jerusalem and mission report (Act21:17-19)
17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Paul’s potential problem, Paul’s agreement to problem (Act21:20-26)
In summary on the problem that we looked at last week is that there were many Jewish Christians who still observed Jewish traditions and were zealous for the Law. Word had been given that Paul was teaching contrary to the Law. The solution was to go through a purification process to show he did not discount the law or teach otherwise. Paul agreed and that is where we start today
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.
(Transition) it is in carrying out the agreed upon solution to the potential problem that led Paul into the temple and the chains and tribulations told would be fulfilled. And that is where we will pick up now.
Paul’s Arrest in Temple
Paul’s Arrest in Temple
If you knew you were heading into trouble would you still go? Paul knew, Paul went, and now we see Paul’s knowledge of the prophesy fulfilled and lots of details to fill in.
27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut.
31 While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 At once he took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. 34 But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
35 When he got to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob; 36 for the multitude of the people kept following them, shouting, “Away with him!”
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
Gleaning from the scripture:
Question: What did the Jews from Asia do when the days of purification were about over (v.27-28)?
Began to stir up the crowd, laid hands on him (v.27)
They claim that he has defiled this holy place (v.28)
Question: Look at the (v.30-31) what transpired due to the stirred up crowd?
They were provoked, the dragged Paul out of the temple. They were seeking to kill him.
Question: Who did the commander of the guard think Paul was in (v.38)?
He thought he was an Egyptian who stirred up a revolt previously.
(Transition) I know we did not get into each and every verse in gleaning now, but hold on we will as we go through the arrest, accusations, and assumptions.
The Riot in the temple (Act21:27-30; Ref: Act20:19)
Riot brought on by God through Jews from Asia (v.27)
Possible they came from Ephesus since they knew of Trophimus the Ephesian was a Gentile.
These Jews would be known as the Diaspora (Jewish people living outside of Jerusalem) They had great zeal for the temple for they too had come in for Pentecost.
Paul had already had issues with them before
19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;
Riot brought on false accusations against Paul (Act21:28-29; Ref: Act6:9-14)
The false accusations stirred up the crowd, these would be similar to what you have seen previously with Stephen and we know how that ended in Act6:9-14.
The accusation was that Paul had brought a Gentile into the temple and that was a capital offense, a death sentence for the Gentile at a minimum.
There was an assumption that was made is because Trophimus was a Gentile and was seen with Paul that Paul brought him into the temple and thus defiling the temple
Riot brought on rescue by the Romans (Act21:31-36)
Crowd sought to kill Paul (Act21:31)
The commander commanded to stop the violence (Act21:32)
On the east side of the temple, outside of the court of the Gentiles was a Roman garrison (about 1000 troops total) to keep peace.
This garrison was housed in what was called the castle of Antonia which was named after Mark Anthony
At least two centurions (because of plural use of word in (v.32) and their soldiers (at least 200 soldiers) were dispatched to restore and keep the peace.
The commander assumed who Paul was (Act21:33: ref: 21:38)
some years before there was an Egyptian rebel (zealot) who was wanted by the Romans for inciting a revolt; hence because of the assumption before any investigation why Paul was double chained
38 “Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?”
By the being chained if fulfilled the prophesy of Agabus (ref: Act21:10-11)
The rioters left truth to be unclear (Act21:34; Jn19:15; ref: Act23:26)
Like with Jesus
15 So they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”
They could not agree. The mob cried out away with him (v.36); like the cried out with Jesus to crucify him. Remember their intent was to kill him for desecrating the temple.
(Transition) now it is time for Paul to say something, after been beaten, chained, dragged away and carried into the Castle and standing before the Commander (who history says is Claudius Lysias as noted in Act23:26)
26 “Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings.
Permission to speak sought
Permission to speak sought
The rioters bring about a request to reply from Paul to Claudius. Paul while bold is courteous and seeks permission to speak. The interaction while brief is telling.
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 “Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Of course now it is time to glean from the scripture then discuss.
What did Paul seek in (v.37)?
Permission to say something to the commander.
What was the assumption that the commander had up to this point in (v.38)?
That Paul was the Egyptian who stirred up a revolt some time ago.
Question: What was Paul’s response to the commander in (v.39)?
I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen
May I speak to the people?
Question: How did there come to be a great hush with the people (v.40)?
By Paul motioning with his hand.
(Insert be polite picture - on this computer here)
Look how Paul spoke
He was polite (v.37) - asked for permission
He was understood (v.37) -spoke in Greek
The people were riled up and wanted to kill Paul and here Paul in a cool calm manner, double chained asks, seeks permission to say something. Even in the worst of times we can still be polite.
The commander thought he was an Egyptian so was surprised when he spoke in an educated Greek to him.
There was an assumption, and in this case the assumption was wrong. We need to be careful when we make assumptions too and not be so ingrained in them that we miss out on the truth because of our assumption.
It was three years before that there was an Egyptian insurrectionist who led a large band of about 4000 assassins out to the Mount of Olives. - His words predicted that the city walls would fall flat. Felix dispatched troops to disperse them and they were not heard of again.
Question: Why do you think it may be significant that Paul identified where he was from in (v.39)?
It identifies him as a Roman Citizen as well as a Jew from a significant Roman providence, Tarsus of Cilicia.
The Jewish temple police had the right and the authority to carry out justice and even have someone stoned to death, but they could not do it to a Roman Citizen. So there was significance to his response to Claudius
Paul had sought permission and received permission and now is ready to address the people, the mob, the crowd and with the motion of his hand there was a great hush. This sets us up for next week.
(Transition) We still have some time tonight and I think there are still some observations we can make from Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem.
Some observations
Some observations
The mob mentality we have seen it all throughout Paul’s missionary trips so it is nothing new in our passage tonight. We saw the mob mentality with Jesus and even with Stephen previously.
(Insert Mob Mentality Picture here)
The accusers against Paul that incited the mob were from Asia (Act21:17)
No doubt this could be the one’s who were upset with Paul in Ephesus (Act20:19, 19:8-10)
Jews that plotted against Paul in Ephesus
Jews that forced him to leave the synagogue and go teach in the school of Tyrannus.
The mob misrepresented what Paul actually taught (Act21:28; ref: Rom9:1-5, 10:1-4)
(not putting below on the screen)
Question: Look at (v.28) what were they saying Paul taught and what Paul did?
Accused of teaching against the Law and the temple
Defiled this place by bringing a Greek in there
The false assumption made the mob draw a false conclusion that was contrary to what Paul taught
Paul taught that Jesus was the hope of Israel
1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,
5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Paul’s heart desire was for the salvation of the Jews, of Israel
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Not by a system of works but by Christ through faith.
The accusers assumption was because Paul was seen with Trophimus in Ephesus and now in Jerusalem that he brought this Gentile into the temple.
Those with bias, with a personal agenda resort to half-truths and mis-truths to mislead and manipulate others, hence the mob mentality.
Mob mentality (aka) herd mentality
The reaction because of the accusers was the same in Jerusalem as it was in other cities, it got people all worked up, some did not even know what they were worked up for.
34 But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
We can see this today the mob mentality, herd mentality, people influenced by the crowd. In political arena, in sporting events and even in the church.
Why do you believe what you believe? It is because some preacher told you, parents, relatives, the majority of the people you know? Or is it because you have investigated it yourself and found out your own belief from the facts?
Mob mentality was around then and we have seen some mob mentality with Hitler’s rise in power and the holocaust.
People are easily swayed by crowds, “if they are all doing it, it must me right”
Consider the Commander, Claudius, he wanted to know the truth (v.33)
33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done.
He was willing to look beyond mob mentality, first impressions upon learning the truth (vv.37-39)
He then after hearing who Paul was, he was willing to then allow Paul to say his side of the story (v.40) and that is where we will pick up next week. Claudius much like Cornelius (Act10:32) was willing to listen before passing judgment. May we be willing to do the same.
(Prayer) (Exit)