Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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, New Living Translation The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, English Standard Version When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, Berean Standard Bible When the seven days were almost over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, Berean Literal Bible Now when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, having seen him in the temple, began stirring up all the crowd, and they laid the hands upon him, King James Bible And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, New King James Version Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, New American Standard Bible 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, NASB 1995 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, NASB 1977 And when the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the multitude and laid hands on him, Legacy Standard Bible Now when the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon noticing him in the temple, began to throw all the crowd into confusion and laid hands on him, Amplified Bible When the seven days [required to complete the ritual] were almost over, [some] Jews from [the province of] Asia [Minor], caught sight of him in the temple, and began to stir up the crowd, and they seized him, Berean Annotated Bible When the seven days were almost over, some Jews (people of praise) from the province of Asia \from Asia/ saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, Christian Standard Bible When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and seized him, Holman Christian Standard Bible As the seven days were about to end, the Jews from Asia saw him in the temple complex, stirred up the whole crowd, and seized him, American Standard Version And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, Contemporary English Version When the period of seven days for the ceremony was almost over, some of the Jewish people from Asia saw Paul in the temple. They got a large crowd together and started attacking him. English Revised Version And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude, and laid hands on him, GOD'S WORD® Translation When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the temple courtyard. They stirred up the whole crowd and grabbed Paul. Good News Translation But just when the seven days were about to come to an end, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and grabbed Paul. International Standard Version When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, seeing Paul in the Temple, stirred up a large crowd. They grabbed Paul, NET Bible When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from the province of Asia who had seen him in the temple area stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, New Heart English Bible When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands on him, Webster's Bible Translation And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews who were from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Weymouth New Testament But, when the seven days were nearly over, the Jews from the province of Asia, having seen Paul in the Temple, set about rousing the fury of all the people against him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen the seven days were almost over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, World English Bible When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd as the seven days were about to be fully ended, the Jews from Asia having beheld him in the temple, were stirring up all the multitude, and they laid hands on him, Berean Literal Bible Now when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, having seen him in the temple, began stirring up all the crowd, and they laid the hands upon him, Young's Literal Translation And, as the seven days were about to be fully ended, the Jews from Asia having beheld him in the temple, were stirring up all the multitude, and they laid hands upon him, Smith's Literal Translation And when the seven days were about completed, the Jews from Asia, having seen him in the temple, embroiled all the crowd, and put hands upon them, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut when the seven days were drawing to an end, those Jews that were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands upon him, crying out: Catholic Public Domain Version But when the seven days were reaching completion, those Jews who were from Asia, when they had seen him in the temple, incited all the people, and they laid hands on him, crying out: New American Bible When the seven days were nearly completed, the Jews from the province of Asia noticed him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and laid hands on him, New Revised Standard Version When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd. They seized him, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the seventh day approached, and the Jews from Asia Minor saw him in the temple, they stirred up all the people against him and laid hands on him, Aramaic Bible in Plain English And when the seventh day arrived, the Jews of Asia saw him in The Temple, and they incited all the people against him and they laid hands upon him, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, threw all the multitude into confusion, and laid their hands on him, Godbey New Testament And when the seven days were about to have an end, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole multitude, and laid hands on him, crying out, Haweis New Testament But as the seven days were now drawing to their period, some Jews from Asia seeing him in the temple, excited all the populace to tumult, and laid hands upon him, Mace New Testament The seven days being almost expir'd, the Asiatic Jews seeing him in the temple, rais'd a tumult, and fell upon him, Weymouth New Testament But, when the seven days were nearly over, the Jews from the province of Asia, having seen Paul in the Temple, set about rousing the fury of all the people against him. Worrell New Testament And, when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, having beheld him in the temple, were stirring up all the multitude, and they laid their hands upon him, Worsley New Testament But when the seven days were near ended, the Jews that came from Asia seeing him in the temple, raised a tumult among the people, and laid hands on him, crying out, Men of Israel, help: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul Seized in the Temple26So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them. 27When the seven days were almost over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”… Cross References When the seven days were almost over, Luke 2:22-24 And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord / (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”), / and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Numbers 19:11-12 Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days. / He must purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh days, he will not be clean. Leviticus 14:8-9 The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days. / On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean. some Jews from the province of Asia Acts 24:19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. Acts 17:13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God in Berea, they went there themselves to incite and agitate the crowds. Acts 14:19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead. saw Paul at the temple. Acts 24:18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia Acts 26:21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. Acts 22:17-18 Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance / and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’ They stirred up the whole crowd Mark 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. Acts 17:5 The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. Acts 13:50 The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. and seized him, Acts 16:19 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. Mark 14:46 Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him. John 7:30 So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. Acts 6:13-14 where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” Treasury of Scripture And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, the Jews. Acts 24:18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. stirred. Acts 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, Acts 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. Acts 14:2,5,19 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren… and laid. Acts 4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. Acts 26:21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Jump to Previous Almost Asia Completed Ended Fully Fury Hands Jews Laid Multitude Nearly Paul Province Rousing Seven Stir Stirred Temple Together Tumult WholeJump to Next Almost Asia Completed Ended Fully Fury Hands Jews Laid Multitude Nearly Paul Province Rousing Seven Stir Stirred Temple Together Tumult WholeActs 21 1. Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.10. Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, 13. he will not be dissuaded from going thither. 17. He comes to Jerusalem; 27. where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued; 37. and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people. When the seven days were almost over This phrase refers to the completion of a purification ritual that Paul was undergoing. In the context of Acts 21, Paul had agreed to participate in this ritual to demonstrate his respect for Jewish customs and to dispel rumors that he was teaching Jews to abandon the Law of Moses. The seven days likely refer to the period of purification mentioned in Numbers 19:11-13, which was a common practice for Jews who had become ritually unclean. some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who is central to this passage. He is in Jerusalem to complete a vow and is falsely accused by Jews from Asia. 2. Jews from the province of Asia These are likely Jews from Ephesus or surrounding areas who were familiar with Paul's ministry and opposed his teachings. 3. The Temple The sacred place in Jerusalem where Paul was seen, and where the events of this passage unfold. 4. The Crowd The group of people in the temple who were incited by the Jews from Asia to seize Paul. 5. The Seven Days Refers to the period of purification Paul was undergoing, which is part of the Nazarite vow he was completing. Teaching Points Opposition to the GospelJust as Paul faced opposition, believers today should expect resistance when they stand for the truth of the Gospel. This passage reminds us to remain steadfast in our faith despite challenges. Misunderstanding and False Accusations Paul was falsely accused, a reminder that Christians may be misunderstood or misrepresented. We should respond with grace and truth, trusting God to vindicate us. The Importance of Contextual Ministry Paul was aware of the cultural and religious contexts he ministered in. We should strive to understand the backgrounds of those we minister to, to effectively communicate the Gospel. The Role of the Temple The temple was central to Jewish worship, and Paul's presence there shows his respect for Jewish customs. This teaches us the importance of respecting cultural practices while sharing the Gospel. God's Sovereignty in Trials Despite the chaos, God was in control of Paul's situation. This encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty when we face trials and tribulations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 21:27?2. How can we discern false accusations like those against Paul in Acts 21:27? 3. What role does cultural misunderstanding play in conflicts, as seen in Acts 21:27? 4. How does Acts 21:27 connect with Jesus' warnings about persecution in John 15:20? 5. What steps can we take to remain faithful under false accusations today? 6. How can we support fellow believers facing persecution similar to Paul's experience? 7. Why did the Jews from Asia accuse Paul in Acts 21:27? 8. How does Acts 21:27 reflect early Christian-Jewish tensions? 9. What historical context led to the events in Acts 21:27? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 21? 11. Acts 21:27–36 – Why do historical or archaeological records outside the Bible not mention such a public riot and arrest in Jerusalem? 12. What led to Paul's imprisonment? 13. Romans 15:19 mentions signs and wonders by Paul, but where is the historical or archeological evidence supporting these miracles? 14. What is the timeline of Paul's life events? What Does Acts 21:27 Mean The nearing completion of the purification week“When the seven days were almost over…” (Acts 21:27) • Paul had joined four Jewish believers in a Nazirite-style purification rite (Acts 21:23-26), showing respect for the Law much like he had circumcised Timothy “because of the Jews” in Lystra (Acts 16:3) and had vowed in Cenchrea (Acts 18:18). • His willingness to identify with Jewish customs illustrates his stated approach: “To those under the law I became as one under the law… so that I might win those under the law” (1 Corinthians 9:20). • The week was nearly finished, underscoring that Paul had kept the agreement with the Jerusalem elders (Acts 21:24). What follows is therefore not a result of Paul’s disobedience but of hostile hearts—fulfilling the Spirit’s warnings of bonds and afflictions awaiting him (Acts 20:23). Opposition notices Paul “…some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple.” • These were likely from Ephesus, where Paul’s ministry had shaken both synagogue and marketplace (Acts 19:8-10, 23-27). Their earlier resistance now resurfaces in Jerusalem. • Paul’s presence in the temple refutes the later charge that he was anti-Law (Acts 21:28), echoing his claim before Felix that he came “to bring alms and offerings” (Acts 24:17-18). • Hostile observers often dogged Paul’s steps—Iconium (Acts 14:2), Thessalonica (Acts 17:5), Berea (Acts 17:13)—reminding us that faithfulness does not silence opposition. Incitement of the masses “They stirred up the whole crowd…” • Mob agitation was a frequent tactic: jealous leaders “stirred up the devout women and the leading men” in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50), and “stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds” in Iconium (Acts 14:2). • Here, false accusations soon erupt (Acts 21:28)—the same strategy the Sanhedrin used against Stephen (Acts 6:11-13) and the crowd used against Jesus (Matthew 27:20). • Though chaotic, the scene fits God’s larger plan. Jesus had foretold, “They will seize you and persecute you… This will be your opportunity to bear witness” (Luke 21:12-13). The violent arrest “…and seized him.” • Physical violence follows verbal hostility, just as in Lystra where Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city (Acts 14:19). • This seizure begins a chain of custody—Jerusalem fortress (Acts 21:33), Caesarea (Acts 23:35), Rome (Acts 28:16)—through which Paul will preach to rulers, fulfilling “you must testify also in Rome” (Acts 23:11). • Paul later recounts, “For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me” (Acts 26:21), yet he views every arrest as another platform for the gospel (Philippians 1:12-13). summary Acts 21:27 marks the tipping point of Paul’s final visit to Jerusalem. After nearly completing a voluntary purification, he is spotted by opponents from Asia, whose deep-seated animosity quickly infects the crowd. Their agitation erupts into a mob that seizes Paul, initiating the arrests and trials God will use to carry the apostle and his testimony all the way to Rome. The verse reminds us that obedience to God’s Word may attract fierce opposition, yet every hostile act falls beneath the sovereign purpose of the Lord who turns persecution into proclamation. (27) When the seven days were almost ended.--Literally, were on the point to be completed. St. Luke speaks of "the seven days" as a definite or known period. They cannot refer, as some have thought, either to the duration of the vow, which was never less than thirty days, or to that of the Feast of Pentecost, which at this time was never extended beyond one, and must therefore be understood of the period of special purification which came at the final stage of the fulfilment of the vow.The Jews which were of Asia . . .--Better, from Asia--those who had come up to keep the Feast at Jerusalem. They, we may well believe, had been watching the Apostle eagerly as he passed in and out of the courts of the Temple. As it was, they seized him, with all the tokens of his purification still upon him (comp. Acts 24:18), about to offer sacrifices, and raised a cry which was sure to throw the whole city into an uproar. They first reiterate the general charge, and in doing so bring against St. Paul, in almost identical terms, the very accusation which he had brought against Stephen (Acts 6:11-13), of which they thus make themselves the witnesses. This was backed up by a more specific indictment (Acts 21:28). He had brought Greeks--i.e., uncircumcised Gentiles--into the Holy Place--i.e., beyond the middle wall of partition (Ephesians 2:14) which divided the court that was open to strangers from that which none but Jews might enter (Jos. Ant. xv. 11, ? 5). The recent excavations of the Palestine Exploration Society (Report for 1871, p. 132) have brought to light a slab with an inscription, discovered and deciphered by M. Clermont Ganneau, which illustrates the horror with which the Jews looked on such a profanation. Its contents show that it must have formed part of the low wall just mentioned:--"NO MAN OF ALIEN RACE IS TO ENTER WITHIN THE BALUSTRADE AND FENCE THAT GOES ROUND THE TEMPLE. IF ANY ONE IS TAKEN IN THE ACT, LET HIM KNOW THAT HE HAS HIMSELF TO BLAME FOR THE PENALTY OF DEATH THAT FOLLOWS." This, accordingly, was the punishment which the Jews of Asia were now seeking to bring on St. Paul and on his friends. Verse 27. - Completed for ended, A.V.; from for which were of, A.V.; multitude for people, A.V. The seven days; showing clearly that some customary term of preparation for the offerings and shaving of the head is meant. This shows also that "the days" in the preceding verse meant the "seven days" of preparation rather than "the days" of the whole Nazaritic vow. The Jews from Asia; come up for Pentecost. How hostile the Asiatic Jews were appears from Acts 19:9. When they saw him in the temple, whither he had come to complete the seven days of preparation. It was apparently the fifth day (see Acts 24:11, note). How often the best meant attempts at conciliation fail through the uncharitable suspicions of a man's opponents! The temple. It must be remembered throughout that it is τὸ ἱερόν that is spoken of, which embraces the temple courts, not the ναός, or house (see Acts 3:2, note). Stirred up. Συγχέω ισ found only here in the New Testament. Properly "to confuse," like the kindred συγχύνω (Acts 2:6; Acts 19:32; Acts 21:31); and σύγχυσις, confusion (Acts 19:29); hence "to stir up." It is of frequent use in medical writers (Hobart, 79.).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek WhenὩς (Hōs) Adverb Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. the αἱ (hai) Article - Nominative Feminine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. seven ἑπτὰ (hepta) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural Strong's 2033: Seven. A primary number; seven. days ἡμέραι (hēmerai) Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. were almost ἔμελλον (emellon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3195: A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something. over, συντελεῖσθαι (synteleisthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive Strong's 4931: To bring to an end, fulfill, accomplish. From sun and teleo; to complete entirely; generally, to execute. [some] οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews Ἰουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. from ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. [the province of] Asia Ἀσίας (Asias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 773: Asia, i.e. Asia Minor, or only its western shore. saw θεασάμενοι (theasamenoi) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 2300: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit. [Paul] αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. at ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. temple. ἱερῷ (hierō) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple. They stirred up συνέχεον (synecheon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4797: Or sugchuno from sun and cheo or its alternate; to commingle promiscuously, i.e. to throw into disorder, to perplex. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. whole πάντα (panta) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. crowd ὄχλον (ochlon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. seized ἐπέβαλον (epebalon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1911: From epi and ballo; to throw upon; specially to reflect; impersonally, to belong to. him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. Links Acts 21:27 NIVActs 21:27 NLT Acts 21:27 ESV Acts 21:27 NASB Acts 21:27 KJV Acts 21:27 BibleApps.com Acts 21:27 Biblia Paralela Acts 21:27 Chinese Bible Acts 21:27 French Bible Acts 21:27 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 21:27 When the seven days were almost completed (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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