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Text -- Acts 21:24 (NET)

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Context
21:24 take them and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself live in conformity with the law.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: VOWS | VOW | SHAVING | Purification | Nazarite | NOTHING | Law | LYCIA | LAW IN THE NEW TESTAMENT | Judaism | John | JAMES | Head | Fraternity | Diplomacy | CHARGES | Bigotry | Baldness | APOSTOLIC AGE | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 13-OUTLINE | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 21:24 - -- These take ( toutous paralabōn ). Second aorist active participle of paralambanō . Taking these alone.

These take ( toutous paralabōn ).

Second aorist active participle of paralambanō . Taking these alone.

Robertson: Act 21:24 - -- Purify thyself with them ( hagnisthēti sun autois ). First aorist passive imperative of hagnizō , old verb to purify, to make pure (hagnos ). Se...

Purify thyself with them ( hagnisthēti sun autois ).

First aorist passive imperative of hagnizō , old verb to purify, to make pure (hagnos ). See the active voice in Jam 4:8; 1Pe 1:22; 1 Jo 1Pe 3:3. It is possible to see the full passive force here, "Be purified."But a number of aorist passives in the Koiné[28928]š supplant the aorist middle forms and preserve the force of the middle (Robertson, Grammar , p. 819). That is possible here. Hence, "Purify thyself"is allowable. The word occurs in Num 6:1 for taking the Nazarite vow. The point is that Paul takes the vow with them. Note hagnismou in Act 21:26.

Robertson: Act 21:24 - -- Be at charges for them ( dapanēson ep' autois ). First aorist active imperative of old verb dapanaō , to incur expense, expend. Spend (money) upo...

Be at charges for them ( dapanēson ep' autois ).

First aorist active imperative of old verb dapanaō , to incur expense, expend. Spend (money) upon (ep' ) them. Ramsay ( St. Paul the Traveller , etc., p. 310) argues that Paul had use of considerable money at this period, perhaps from his father’ s estate. The charges for five men would be considerable. "A poor man would not have been treated with the respect paid him at Caesarea, on the voyage, and at Rome"(Furneaux).

Robertson: Act 21:24 - -- That they may shave their heads ( hina xurēsontai tēn kephalēn ). Note tēn kephalēn , the head (singular). Future middle indicative of xura...

That they may shave their heads ( hina xurēsontai tēn kephalēn ).

Note tēn kephalēn , the head (singular). Future middle indicative of xuraō , late form for the old xureō , to shave, middle to shave oneself or (causative) to get oneself shaved. This use of hina with the future indicative is like the classic hopōs with the future indicative and is common in the N.T. as in the Koiné[28928]š (Robertson, Grammar , p. 984).

Robertson: Act 21:24 - -- And all shall know ( kai gnōsontai ). This future middle indicative of ginōskō (cf. akousontai in Act 21:22) may be independent of hina o...

And all shall know ( kai gnōsontai ).

This future middle indicative of ginōskō (cf. akousontai in Act 21:22) may be independent of hina or dependent on it like xurēsontai , though some MSS. (H L P) have gnōsin (second aorist subjunctive, clearly dependent on hina ).

Robertson: Act 21:24 - -- Of which ( hōn ). Genitive plural of the relative ha (accusative) object of the perfect passive verb katēchēntai (cf. Act 21:21katēchēt...

Of which ( hōn ).

Genitive plural of the relative ha (accusative) object of the perfect passive verb katēchēntai (cf. Act 21:21katēchēthēsan ) attracted into the case of the omitted antecedent toutōn . The instruction still in effect.

Robertson: Act 21:24 - -- But that thou thyself walkest orderly ( alla stoicheis kai autos ). Stoicheis is an old verb to go in a row (from stoichos , row, rank, series), to...

But that thou thyself walkest orderly ( alla stoicheis kai autos ).

Stoicheis is an old verb to go in a row (from stoichos , row, rank, series), to walk in a line or by rule. In the N.T. only here and Gal 5:25; Rom 4:12; Phi 3:16. The rule is the law and Paul was not a sidestepper. The idea of the verb is made plain by the participle phulassōn ton nomon (keeping or observing the law).

Vincent: Act 21:24 - -- Be at charges with them ( δαπάνησον ἐπ ' αὐτοῖς ) Lit., spend upon them. Pay the necessary charges on their account. H...

Be at charges with them ( δαπάνησον ἐπ ' αὐτοῖς )

Lit., spend upon them. Pay the necessary charges on their account. Hence Rev., rightly, " for them." The person who thus paid the expenses of poor devotees who could not afford the necessary charges shared the vow so far that he was required to stay with the Nazarites until the time of the vow had expired. " For a week, then, St. Paul, if he accepted the advice of James and the presbyters, would have to live with four paupers in the chamber of the temple which was set apart for this purpose; and then to pay for sixteen sacrificial animals and the accompanying meat-offerings" (Farrar, " Life and Work of Paul" ). He must also stand among the Nazarites during the offering of the sacrifices, and look on while their heads were shaved, and while they took their hair to burn it under the caldron of the peace-offerings, " and while the priest took four sodden shoulders of rams, and four unleavened cakes out of the four baskets, and four unleavened wafers anointed with oils and put them on the hands of the Nazarites, and waved them for a wave-offering before the Lord" (Farrar).

Vincent: Act 21:24 - -- Walkest orderly ( στοιχεῖς ) See on elements, 2Pe 3:10.

Walkest orderly ( στοιχεῖς )

See on elements, 2Pe 3:10.

Wesley: Act 21:24 - -- that thou thyself walkest orderly, keeping the law - Ought he not, without any reverence to man, where the truth of God was so deeply concerned, to ha...

that thou thyself walkest orderly, keeping the law - Ought he not, without any reverence to man, where the truth of God was so deeply concerned, to have answered plainly, I do not keep the Mosaic law; neither need any of you. Yea, Peter doth not keep the law. And God himself expressly commanded him not to keep it; ordering him to go in to men uncircumcised, and to eat with them, Act 11:3, which the law utterly forbids.

JFB: Act 21:20-25 - -- Constrained to justify his course, notwithstanding the Jewish complexion of the Christianity of Jerusalem.

Constrained to justify his course, notwithstanding the Jewish complexion of the Christianity of Jerusalem.

JFB: Act 21:24 - -- That is, defray the expense of the sacrifices legally required of them, along with his own, which was deemed a mark of Jewish generosity.

That is, defray the expense of the sacrifices legally required of them, along with his own, which was deemed a mark of Jewish generosity.

Clarke: Act 21:24 - -- Be at charges with them - Or, rather, be at charges for them: help them to bear the expense of that vow. Eight lambs, four rams, besides oil, flour,...

Be at charges with them - Or, rather, be at charges for them: help them to bear the expense of that vow. Eight lambs, four rams, besides oil, flour, etc., were the expenses on this occasion. See the notes on Numbers 6:1-21 (note)

Clarke: Act 21:24 - -- Thou - walkest orderly and keepest the law - Perhaps this advice meant no more than, Show them, by such means as are now in thy power, that thou art...

Thou - walkest orderly and keepest the law - Perhaps this advice meant no more than, Show them, by such means as are now in thy power, that thou art not an enemy to Moses; that thou dost still consider the law to be holy, and the commandment holy, just, and good. Paul did so, and bore the expenses of those who, from a scruple of conscience, had made a vow, and perhaps were not well able to bear the expense attending it. Had they done this in order to acquire justification through the law, Paul could not have assisted them in any measure with a clear conscience; but, as he did assist them, it is a proof that they had not taken this vow on them for this purpose. Indeed, vows rather referred to a sense of obligation, and the gratitude due to God for mercies already received, than to the procuring of future favors of any kind. Besides, God had not yet fully shown that the law was abolished, as has already been remarked: he tolerated it till the time that the iniquity of the Jews was filled up; and then, by the destruction of Jerusalem, he swept every rite and ceremony of the Jewish law away, with the besom of destruction.

Calvin: Act 21:24 - -- 24.Which they have heard of thee are nothing They seem to persuade Paul to dissemble. For the rumor rose not upon nothing, that he did call away the ...

24.Which they have heard of thee are nothing They seem to persuade Paul to dissemble. For the rumor rose not upon nothing, that he did call away the Jews from the ceremonies, and that he did not walk in observing the law. But we must remember that which I said even now, that it was sufficient for Paul and the elders, if they could remove the slander which was unjustly raised, to wit, that he was a revolt [apostate] from the law, and there might a better opportunity be offered shortly, that in purging himself he might call them back by little and little from their error. Neither was it good or profitable that Paul should be counted an observer of the law any long time, as the disciples were then commonly; for by this means a thick − 482 veil should have been put before their eyes to darken the light of Christ. −

Wherefore, let us know that Paul did not dissemble, but sincerely professed that he did not hate the law, but that he did rather think reverently of it. They will him to bestow cost together with them, because they were wont to put their money together that they might offer sacrifice together. −

TSK: Act 21:24 - -- and purify : Act 21:26, Act 24:18; Exo 19:10,Exo 19:14; Num 19:17-22; 2Ch 30:18, 2Ch 30:19; Job 1:5, Job 41:25; Joh 3:25; Heb 9:10-14 that they : Act ...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 21:24 - -- Them take - Take with you. Join yourself with them. And purify thyself with them - Join them in observing the forms of purification presc...

Them take - Take with you. Join yourself with them.

And purify thyself with them - Join them in observing the forms of purification prescribed by the Law of Moses in the observance of the vow of the Nazarite. The purifying here refers to the vows of sanctity which the Nazarites were to observe. They were to abstain from wine and strong drink; they were to eat no grapes, moist or dried; they were to come near no dead body, nor to make themselves "unclean"for their father, mother, brother, or sister, when they died Num 6:3-7; and they were to present an offering when the days of the vow were completed, Num 6:8.

And be at charges with them - Share with them the expense of the offerings required when the vow is completed. Those offerings were a ram of a year old for a burnt-offering, a sheep of the same age for a sin-offering, a ram for a thank-offering, a basket of unleavened cakes, and a libation of wine. See Num 6:13-20.

That they may shave their heads - The shaving of the head, or the cutting off the hair which had been suffered to grow during the continuance of the vow Num 6:5, was an observance indicating that the vow had been performed. Paul was requested to join with them in the expense of the offerings, that thus, the whole of the ceremonies having been observed, their heads might be shaved as an indication that every part of the vow had been complied with.

And all may know - By the fact of your observance of one of the rites of the Mosaic religion, all may have evidence that it is not your purpose or practice to speak contemptuously of those rites, or to undervalue the authority of Moses.

Are nothing - Are untrue, or without any foundation.

Walkest orderly - That you live in accordance with the real requirements of the Law of Moses. To walk, in the Scriptures, often denotes "to live, to act, to conduct in a certain manner."All, probably, that they wished Paul to show by this was, that he was not an enemy of Moses. They who gave this counsel were Christians, and they could not wish him to do anything which would imply that he was not a Christian.

Poole: Act 21:24 - -- Purify thyself they advise Paul to perform all those rites required of a Nazarite, the observation of which did legally purify him. Be at charges wi...

Purify thyself they advise Paul to perform all those rites required of a Nazarite, the observation of which did legally purify him.

Be at charges with them these charges were about the threefold sacrifice which were to be offered, two turtles or young pigeons, a lamb, unleavened bread, and cakes of fine flour, as Num 6:10-12,15 : and the other four, spoken of Act 21:23 , being poor, they require Paul here to bear their charges also, that so he might appear to be the chief amongst them, and the more zealous in their law, to take away the scandal that was taken up by the Jews against him; these ceremonies being as yet not deadly, or evil, though they were dead and indifferent.

Shave their heads which was done at the end of their separation, and was the accomplishment of all; and they burned the hair which they shaved off under their sacrifices, to show, that all their legal performances were only acceptable unto God through Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for us, 1Co 5:7 Heb 10:12 .

Walkest orderly, and keepest the law livest according to the law of Moses, contrary unto what they reported of thee.

Haydock: Act 21:24 - -- Bestow on them. It was thought a merit among the Jews to bear the expenses of any vow which another had made. They thus became partakers of it; in...

Bestow on them. It was thought a merit among the Jews to bear the expenses of any vow which another had made. They thus became partakers of it; in the same manner as at present those, who have not the courage to forsake the world by solemn vows, seek to have some share in the merits of those who do forsake it, by contributing part of their substance to their support. (Calmet)

Gill: Act 21:24 - -- Them take, and purify, thyself with them,.... That is, join thyself to them, make one of their number, and attend to the rules prescribed to a Nazarit...

Them take, and purify, thyself with them,.... That is, join thyself to them, make one of their number, and attend to the rules prescribed to a Nazarite, who is to be holy to the Lord; and in case of any ceremonial uncleanness, is to be cleansed, or purified in the manner directed, Num 6:5.

And be at charges with them; join with them in the expense, for the offerings to be made at the end of the vows, or when the days of separation are fulfilled, Num 6:13.

That they may shave their heads; according to the law in Num 6:18. This was done in לשכת הנזירים, the chamber of the Nazarites r; for there the Nazarites boiled their peace offerings, and shaved their hair, and put it under the pot, in the fire that was under it: Maimonides says s,

"if he shaved in the city it was excusable; but whether he shaved in the city or in the sanctuary, under the pot his hair must be cast; and he did not shave until the door of the court was opened, as it is said, "at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation", Num 6:18 not that he shaved over against the door, for that would be a contempt of the sanctuary.''

Moreover, it may be observed, that a person who had not made a vow, or fulfilled a Nazariteship himself, which was the apostle's case, yet he might join in bearing the expenses of others, at the time of their shaving and cleansing: for so run the Jewish canons t;

"he that says, upon me be the shaving of a Nazarite, he is bound to bring the offerings of shaving for purification, and he may offer them by the hand of what Nazarite he pleases; he that says, upon me be half the offerings of a Nazarite, or if he says, upon me be half the shaving of a Nazarite, he brings half the offerings by what Nazarite he will, and that Nazarite perfects his offerings out of that which is his.''

That all may know that those things whereof they were informed concerning thee are nothing; that there is no truth in them; that they are mere lies and calumnies; as they will easily judge by this single instance, in complying with the law concerning a Nazarite's vow:

but that thou thyself walkest orderly, and keepest the law; and therefore can never be thought to teach others to walk disorderly, or to neglect the law, the rites and customs of it.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 21:24 The law refers to the law of Moses.

Geneva Bible: Act 21:24 Them take, and ( d ) purify thyself with them, and ( e ) be at charges with them, that they may shave [their] heads: and all may know that those thing...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 21:1-40 - --1 Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.10 Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, he will not be dissuaded fro...

Combined Bible: Act 21:24 - --notes on verse 18     

MHCC: Act 21:19-26 - --Paul ascribed all his success to God, and to God they gave the praise. God had honoured him more than any of the apostles, yet they did not envy him; ...

Matthew Henry: Act 21:15-26 - -- In these verses we have, I. Paul's journey to Jerusalem from Caesarea, and the company that went along with him. 1. They took up their carriages, ...

Barclay: Act 21:17-26 - --When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he presented the church with a problem. The leaders accepted him and saw God's hand in his work; but rumours had be...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 19:21--Rom 1:1 - --D. The extension of the church to Rome 19:21-28:31 "The panel is introduced by the programmatic statemen...

Constable: Act 21:17--23:33 - --2. Ministry in Jerusalem 21:17-23:32 The events that transpired in Jerusalem when Paul visited t...

Constable: Act 21:17-26 - --The advice of James and the elders 21:17-26 21:17-19 As he had done before, Paul related to a group of elders what God had done on his missionary jour...

College: Act 21:1-40 - --ACTS 21 13. The Stops at Cos, Rhodes, and Patara (21:1-2) 1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos...

McGarvey: Act 21:18-26 - --18-26. After the general statement that they were gladly received by the brethren, Luke proceeds to state more in detail what followed. (18) " And on ...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 21:1, Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy; Act 21:10, Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem...

Poole: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 21

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 21:1-7) Paul's voyage towards Jerusalem. (Act 21:8-18) Paul at Cesarea. The prophecy of Agabus, Paul at Jerusalem. (Act 21:19-26) He is persuad...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) We have, with a great deal of pleasure, attended the apostle in his travels throughout the Gentile nations to preach the gospel, and have seen a gr...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 21 (Chapter Introduction) No Retreat (Act_21:1-16) Compromise In Jerusalem (Act_21:17-26) A Slanderous Charge (Act_21:27-36) Facing The Fury Of The Mob (Act_21:37-40)

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

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