Soldiers and Centurions Rescue Paul - Acts 21:32

The beloved physician Luke wrote when the Jews in Jerusalem knew Paul was in the temple, “all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-two of the book of Acts Luke shares how the chief captain, “immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them”, where we read:

Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them:

and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

The verse begins, “Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them:” Luke began with the words, “who immediately took soldiers” which means “who, the chief captain, straightway and forthwith discharged Roman warriors” “and centurions” or “and officers who were in charge of one hundred men”, “and ran down unto them” which means “and hastened down to the Jewish people who desired to kill Paul”. Luke shared how the “chief captain” of the Roman military gathered “Roman soldiers” and “centurions” with him and descended to where the “Jewish people” were desiring to “kill” Paul.

The verse continues, “and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.” Luke added the words, “and when they saw the chief captain” which means “and at the time and moment the Jewish people observed, notice and perceived the chiliarch or military commander of the Roman cohort ” “and the soldiers” or “and the Roman warriors”, “they left beating of Paul” which means “the Jewish people stopped, ceased and desisted from striking, smiting, whipping and hitting Paul whose name means small or little”. Luke shared how the “Jewish people” who were “hitting and striking” “Paul” stopped doing so after they saw the “commander of the Roman military” and “Roman warriors” approaching them.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “Roman” military was used to stop the “beating” of “Paul”. The “Jewish people” who opposed “Paul” to the point of wanting him dead had already begun beating him, and as soon as they saw the “military” coming, they stopped. Let us be mindful that God sets up authorities and puts them down, and in this case, He employed the “pagan” “soldiers” to halt the “beating” and potential death of “Paul”. God has a purpose and plan to reach every person with His good news of salvation through His Son Jesus. Anyone who comes to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, and those who are wise realize even the intervention of the “Roman military” to save “Paul” was used to promote the “salvation” plan of God Almighty.

Next time Luke shares how, “the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Going About to Kill Paul - Acts 21:31

Luke the beloved physician wrote when the Jews in Jerusalem knew Paul was in the temple, “all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared what happen when the Jewish people, “went about to kill him”, where we read:

And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band,

that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

The verse begins, “And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band,” Luke began with the words, “and as they went about” which means “and during the time and moment the Jewish people craved, demanded and required” “to kill him” or “to destroy, inflict mortal death upon and abolish Paul”, “tidings came” which means “reports and disclosures arose” “unto the chief captain” or “toward the chiliarch or military commander of the Roman cohort” “of the band” which means “belonging to the company or detachment of soldiers”. Luke shared during the time when the “Jewish people” wanted to “kill” Paul, the word of their desire became known to the “commander” of the Roman military in that area.

The verse goes on to say, “... that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.” Luke continued with the words, “that all Jerusalem” which means “so each, every, the whole and everyone of the people in Jerusalem whose name means set you double peace and was the capital of Palestine” “was in an uproar” or “commingled together, were disturbed and stirred up to a tumult or outbreak. Luke shared how the “report” that came to the “commander of the Roman military” was that everyone in “Jerusalem” was in a riotous mode concerning “Paul”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the commotion was so great among the “Jewish people” in Jerusalem that someone told the “commander of the Roman military” about it. This kind of riotous behavior was not allowed, and any time it occurred, the Roman military would deal with it when they knew. Each part of this story of “Paul” is to be used by the Lord Jesus to continue spreading His “gospel” to the world. God so loves people that He desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. When they submit to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God in Heaven. “Paul's” commotion had everyone in “Jerusalem” on alert, and we shall see how even in this “Paul” will use this to tell the story of Jesus and His sacrifice for them.

Next time Luke shares how the chief captain, “immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Paul Drawn Out of the Temple - Acts 21:30

The beloved physician Luke wrote when the Jews in Jerusalem told Paul and the men traveling with him to “be at charges” with the people of the Jewish nation, Paul, “the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. 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, crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teaches all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and has polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty of the book of Acts Luke shares how the Jews, “took Paul, and drew him out of the temple”, where we read:

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together:

and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

The verse begins, “And all the city was moved, and the people ran together:” Luke began with the words, “and all the city was moved” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the dwelling place, habitation and abode of Jerusalem was excited, disturbed and thrown into commotion”, “and the people” or “and the human beings both male and female” “ran together” which means “arose and appeared with one another”. Luke shared how everyone in the city of Jerusalem was thrown into commotion, and they “all” assembled together to act.

The verse continues, “... and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.” Luke added the words, “and they took Paul” which means “and the riotous Jewish people lay hold of, overtook, seized, succored and carried forth and led Paul whose name means small or little”, “and drew him out of the temple” or “and dragged, lead and impelled him, Paul, without or out of doors from the sacred worship place in Jerusalem”: “and forthwith the doors were shut” which means “and immediately or straightaway the entry doors, passage or vestibule were closed”. Luke shared how the “Jewish people” who captured “Paul” grabbed him and threw him out of the “temple” and closed the doorway to it.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we can only imagine how violent these Jewish men were with “Paul”. Not only did they accuse him falsely, but they also threw him out of the “temple” and shut the doors behind him. In other words, they cast him out of the church. These “religious” men believed themselves to be right, and they thought by accusing “Paul” and removing him from the “sacred worship” place, they were doing right before God. “Paul” was occupied with the work of the Kingdom of God, and reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important work in the world. Anyone who believes and trusts in Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God, and those who are wise will surrender themselves to Jesus and be about His work even if others attempt to squelch them by throwing them out of the church.

Next time Luke shares how the Jews, “went about to kill him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

An Ephesian in the Temple - Acts 21:29

Luke the beloved physician wrote when the Jews in Jerusalem told Paul and the men traveling with him to “be at charges” with the people of the Jewish nation, Paul, “the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. 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, crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teaches all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and has polluted this holy place”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-nine of the book of Acts Luke parenthetically shares how the Jews, “had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian”, where we read:

(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian,

whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

The verse begins, “(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian,” Luke parenthetically began with the words, “(for they had seen before with him” which means “because, since and on account that the Jewish people who arrested Paul saw, observed and noticed in advance of Paul's time in Jerusalem alongside him” “in the city Trophimus” or “within the dwelling place, habitation and abode Trophimus whose name means nutritious and was an Ephesian Christian and friend of the apostle Paul” “an Ephesian” which means “a native of Ephesus”. Luke parenthetically shared how the Jewish people who accosted “Paul” previously saw him with a man named “Trophimus” who was from the city of “Ephesus”.

The verse goes on to say “... whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)” Luke continued with the words, “whom they supposed” which means “that the Jewish people who arrested Paul deemed and thought” “that Paul” or “that Paul whose name means small or little” “had brought into the temple” which means “carried into and lead into the sacred worship place in Jerusalem”). Luke shared how the “Jewish people” who “seized” “Paul” thought he led a pagan, non-Jewish Ephesian man named “Trophimus” into the sacred worship place located in Jerusalem.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn why the “Jewish people” were so upset with “Paul”. They thought he led a pagan and heathen man named “Trophimus” from “Ephesus” into the sacred “temple” which would be a violation of their law. They had see “Paul” with “Trophimus” in the city of “Ephesus”, and they knew he was bringing him into the “temple”. It is written that within the temple, “there was in the court of the Gentiles a sign on the wall that said, “Any Gentile that goes beyond this sign is responsible for his own death.”, and “Paul” would have violated this rule by bringing a “Gentile”, “Trophimus”, into the inner court of the “temple”. God knew this accusation would come against “Paul”, and His desire is for all people, Jew and Gentile, to believe and trust in His Son Jesus so they may be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Let all who read these words receive the invitation of Jesus to come to Him regardless of the resistance others may bring to keep them from doing so.

Next time Luke shares how the Jews, “took Paul, and drew him out of the temple”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Men of Israel Help - Acts 21:28

The beloved physician Luke wrote when the Jews in Jerusalem told Paul and the men traveling with him to “be at charges” with the people of the Jewish nation, Paul, “the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. 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, ...”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Jews were, “Crying out, Men of Israel, help” where we read:

Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teaches all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and has polluted this holy place.

The verse begins, “Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teaches all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place:” Luke began with the words, “crying out” which means “shouting aloud, vociferating, exclaiming and entreating”, “Men of Israel, help” or “male human beings who belong to the nation of Israel, which means God prevails, give aid, succor and relieve”: “this it the man” which means “the particular male human being we have seized exist as”, “that teaches all men every where” or “the one who instructs, holds discourses, imparts instruction and instills doctrine to each, every, the whole and everyone of the people both male and female in all places and locations” “against the people” which means “in opposition to the Jewish people both male and female”, “and the law” or “and the rule producing a state approved of God”, “and this place” which means “and the location of Jerusalem”. Luke shared how the men who captured “Paul” began to shout aloud for “aid” because “Paul” was the “man” who went to every person and place teaching and instructing in opposition to the “Jewish people”, God's rule and the city of Jerusalem.

The verse continues, “... and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and has polluted this holy place.” Luke added the words, “and further brought Greeks” which means “and besides, more and to a greater degree introduced and lead non-Jews, Hellenist, pagans and heathens” “also into the temple” or “even so and indeed into the sacred worship place in Jerusalem”, “and has polluted” which means “and has made common, unclean, unhallowed, defiled and profane” “this holy place” or “this sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated location”. Luke shared how the men who captured “Paul” also shouted out that he had “led” pagan and heathen non-Jews into the sacred worship place and had made it unclean and profane by doing so.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the Jewish men who arrested “Paul” shouted for “help” among their fellow Jews, and they began to accuse “Paul” of imparting false instruction against them, God's law and Jerusalem. They said he “led” non-Jews into the “temple” in Jerusalem, and that act made the “temple” unclean and profane. Of course, they were wrong in their assessments, but God would use these accusations to further His “gospel” in the world. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield themselves to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with Him. “Paul” endured what these men did so “God's good news” would continue, and those who are wise will submit themselves to God to be used by Him as well.

Next time Luke parenthetically shares how the Jews, “had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".