Acts 21:27-35

https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+21:27-36

Paul Arrested

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) 30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.

21:28, 29 These Jews knew how effective Paul's work had been in Asia. Their strategy was to discredit Paul so that his work would be weakened. Be alert when you hear accusations against God's workers. Someone might be trying to discredit them or to hinder their work. Keep an open mind and pray for the workers. They will be strengthened by your support.

21:31 Because Jerusalem was under Roman control, an uproar in the city would be investigated by Roman authorities. The commander of the troops at this time was Claudius Lysius (23:26). This commander was head of a cohort (a special group, part of a legion) of Roman soldiers. He was the senior Roman official in Jerusalem.

Oh the riotous crowd in Jerusalem. First they shouted, "Crucify Him!" about Jesus. Here we read in verse 36 they shouted, "Get rid of him!" Makes me think about the danger of the assumption of guilt and the beauty of the presumption of innocence in our justice system (the one under our Constitution and Bill of Rights). False accusations are truly problematic and we should refrain from them. But it takes a lot to follow the Truth instead of following the mob. Consider the contrast in our Final Judgment. God+Jesus know the complete and utter truth--we all are guilty of sin. That is not an unproven assumption. That is a known fact by God. Thankfully, Jesus knows also His own believers and He intercedes for us. Saved by God's grace. Choose to be saved. Believe in the grace of Christ.

Our Lord and Savior, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your servant Paul who endured suffering to reach those he could. Thank You that his teachings are reaching us even today. Lord, help us to remember not to falsely accuse others. Help us to think graciously, remembering Your grace. For those of us that play a role in the justice system, remind us about integrity and fairness and the role of truth in fair trials. Lord, may we as citizens have a view of following the law to the best of our abilities, keeping Your requirements of us sovereign over all. Thank You for this day where we can begin anew by focusing on You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

A Song: https://youtu.be/5Aomr5fDj7A

Have a nice day.