Lectionary Calendar
Friday, July 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Bible Commentaries
Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament Bengel's Gnomon
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Bengel, Johann Albrecht. "Commentary on Acts 21". Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jab/acts-21.html. 1897.
Bengel, Johann Albrecht. "Commentary on Acts 21". Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament. https://studylight.org/
Whole Bible (49)New Testament (17)Gospels Only (1)Individual Books (8)
Verse 1
Acts 21:1 . á¼ÏοÏÏαÏθÎνÏÎ±Ï , after we had torn ourselves from them) not without much of longing regret, and with difficulty. Îá¿¶ ) Gaza writes that this is the Attic expression for Îῶν .
Verse 3
Acts 21:3 . ΤÏÏον , Tyre ) Where it was foretold in Psalms 87:4 . Comp. with that psalm, concerning the people of Philistia and the Ethiopians, Acts 8:40 , Acts 21:27 . [ Ïὸν γÏμον , her burden ) So frequently does the kingdom of GOD accommodate itself to the external opportunities of ( i.e. afforded by) the world: but GOD directs worldly things by a secret influence to further the progress of His kingdom. V. g.]
Verse 4
Acts 21:4 . á¼Î½ÎµÏ ÏÏνÏÎµÏ ) finding again , when we bad sought them. At one time they were alone, at another time with the brethren. á¼ÏÏá½° , seven ) so that they enjoyed even a Sabbath there. Paul was in haste, but in a good way. á¼Î»ÎµÎ³Î¿Î½ , said ) The Spirit was signifying that bonds awaited Paul: in consequence of this the disciples begged him not to go.
Verse 5
Acts 21:5 . á¼Î³ÎνεÏο á¼¡Î¼á¾¶Ï á¼Î¾Î±ÏÏίÏαι ) This is more than if he were to say, á¼Î¾Î·ÏÏίÏαμεν , we accomplished or fulfilled. It came to pass that without hindrance we stayed at Tyre. Ïá½°Ï á¼¡Î¼ÎÏÎ±Ï ) the days , which we had determined. Ïὺν Î³Ï Î½Î±Î¹Î¾á½¶ καὶ Ïá¼ÎºÎ½Î¿Î¹Ï , with wives and children ) a great number, differently from the custom of the world. á¼Î¾Ï , outside ) a long way, through so great a city. [ á¼Ïá½¶ Ïὸν αἰγιαλὸν , on or at the shore ) not by way of pageant or escort, but in order to bid farewell. V. g.
Verse 6
Acts 21:6 . á¼ÏÏαÏάμενοι having mutually taken leave ) With this word are connected both á¼Î½Îβημεν . we embarked , and á½ÏÎÏÏÏεÏαν , they returned .
Verse 7
Acts 21:7 . Τὸν Ïλοῦν , our course or voyage ) Our whole voyage from Macedonia, ch. Acts 20:6 . ÏÎ¿á½ºÏ ) the brethren whom we knew there.
Verse 8
Acts 21:8 . Îá¼°Ï ÎαιÏάÏειαν , to Cesarea ) It is here especially that Paul’s imprisonment is foretold to him; and this was the place, moreover, where he was about to go as a prisoner: ch. Acts 23:33 . Ïοῦ εá½Î±Î³Î³ÎµÎ»Î¹ÏÏοῦ , the Evangelist ) ch. Acts 8:5 ; Acts 8:35 ; Acts 8:40 . á½Î½ÏÎ¿Ï ) who was one of the Seven: ch. Acts 6:5 . It is probable that Paul had some communications (dealings) with Philip as to the care of the poor, Acts 21:15 ( á¼ÏιÏÎºÎµÏ Î±Ïάμενοι referring to the alms , with which they were entrusted for Jerusalem): although there was no community of goods, except at Jerusalem: nor did it last, save only until the scattering abroad, of which ch. Act 8:1 treats; at which time, we may suppose that whatever resources were ready to their hand were divided among those who departed from Jerusalem and those who remained in it, according to the extent of their distress (need). Otherwise Philip would not have been able to have departed from it [his services as a deacon for distributing the alms would have been still needed at Jerusalem]: Acts 8:5 ; Acts 8:40 .
Verse 9
Acts 21:9 . Î ÏοÏηÏεÏÎ¿Ï Ïαι , who prophesied ) On the part of these women, however, the prediction and representation of the imprisonment (bonds) of Paul would not have been so becoming, as on the part of Agabus. Philip was an Evangelist: his daughters prophesied. A prophet is greater than an Evangelist: Ephesians 4:11 .
Verse 11
Acts 21:11 . Îá½Ïοῦ ) his own , not Paul’s. The nearer that Paul comes to what awaited him, the more express is the prediction that prepares him. λÎγει ) × Ö°×Ö»× , saith.
Verse 12
Acts 21:12 . ΠαÏεκαλοῦμεν , we besought ) Paul knew that in that prediction there was the force of a precept: his companions and the people of that place did not know it.
Verse 13
Acts 21:13 . Î£Ï Î½Î¸ÏÏÏÏονÏÎµÏ , breaking, afflicting ) The apostles were not altogether void of human affections (feelings). δεθá¿Î½Î±Î¹ ) to be bound : Acts 21:11 . á¼ÏοίμÏÏ á¼ÏÏ , I am ready, I am in a state of readiness ) The burden is light to him who is ready.
Verse 14
Acts 21:14 . Îá½´ ÏειθομÎÎ½Î¿Ï , when he would not be persuaded ) Often a person is moved for the sake of others, who is not moved on his own account. Hence we may perceive the stedfastness of Paul. ἡÏÏ ÏάÏαμεν , we acquiesced ) With pious modesty. Ïὸ θÎλημα , the will ) This, they acknowledged hereby, was known to Paul.
Verse 15
Acts 21:15 . á¼ÏιÏÎºÎµÏ Î±Ïάμενοι , having made our preparations ) The inferior reading, á¼ÏοÏÎºÎµÏ Î±Ïάμενοι , would be appropriate to their arrival. But they were then departing, and carrying alms to Jerusalem: ch. Acts 24:17 . This was the á¼ÏιÏÎºÎµÏ Î® . Hesychius explains á¼ÏιÏÎºÎµÏ Î±Ïάμενοι as εá½ÏÏεÏιÏθÎνÏÎµÏ , made ready, equipped with all things necessary .
Verse 16
Acts 21:16 . Îαὶ ) viz. ÏινÎÏ . ÏαÏʼ á¾§ ) Resolve the words thus, á¼Î³Î¿Î½ÏÎµÏ á¼¡Î¼á¾¶Ï ÏÏá½¸Ï ÎνάÏÏνα , ÏαÏʼ á¾§ , κ . Ï . λ . á¼ÏÏαίῳ , an ancient disciple) A beautiful eulogium.
Verse 18
Acts 21:18 . á¼ÏιοÏÏá¿ , on the following day) without delay. Ïὺν ἡμá¿Î½ , with us ) so that the fact of our consent (accordance with him) might be certain: Galatians 1:2 .
Verse 20
Acts 21:20 . Î ÏÏαι Î¼Ï ÏÎ¹Î¬Î´ÎµÏ ) how many myriads ) Comp. Jeremiah 3:14 , etc. Among all those by degrees circumcision expired; and of these, without doubt, a great part was mixed up with the Gentiles who believed. Wherefore the seed of Abraham has not perished in so great numbers as you would suppose, during the lapse of so many ages[viz. the centuries of the Jews’ unbelief since their rejection of Jesus when He was on earth].
Verse 21
Acts 21:21 . ÎαÏηÏήθηÏαν , they have been informed, they have heard it said ) not merely by rumour, but owing to exaggerated statements, exceeding the real state of the case, they are persuaded of this. Ïοá¿Ï á¼Î¸ÎµÏι , the customs ) of the Jews.
Verse 22
Acts 21:22 . Τί οá½Î½ á¼ÏÏι ; what is it therefore? ) A frequent formula. ÏÏ Î½ÎµÎ»Î¸Îµá¿Î½ , come together ) to hear what God hath done through thee, [ and of what kind is thy doctrine . V. g.]: Acts 21:19 ; ch. Acts 14:27 .
Verse 23
Acts 21:23 . ÎÎγομεν , we say This counsel originated from spiritual prudence, not from carnal policy. Paul himself had adopted a somewhat similar course already: ch. Acts 18:18 . ἡμá¿Î½ , there are with us ) Those four men therefore were Christians.
Verse 24
Acts 21:24 . ΠαÏαλαβὼν , having taken to thee) as though thou wert the principal one of them. δαÏάνηÏον á¼Ïʼ αá½Ïοá¿Ï , be at the necessary expenses for them ) It was accounted a great act of goodness, and a proof of great zeal, to defray the expense of the sacrifices for needy Nazarites. ἵνα , that ) By this is implied in respect to what Paul ought to do in like manner as those men (be at charges with them, as one of them). Those men, when they had obtained the expenses, and not till then, were able to have their heads shaven for such an end [that they might fulfil their vow, and also that all might know the charge against Paul had no foundation]. γνÏÏονÏαι , shall know ) from a ceremony so conspicuous to all . ÏάνÏÎµÏ , all) Acts 21:22 , “the multitude.” οá½Î´Îν á¼ÏÏιν ) that there is nothing in those things and, i.e. they are false. [There are manifest antitheses between the words of Act 21:21 and those of Acts 21:25 . V. g.] καὶ αá½Ïá½¸Ï , thyself also ) not merely not deterring others from keeping the law. The Gentiles were not compelled, the Jews were not forbidden, to circumcise. Construe these words with ÏÏ Î»Î¬ÏÏÏν , keeping .
Verse 25
Acts 21:25 . á¼Î¸Î½á¿¶Î½ , the Gentiles ) In antithesis to the Jews and Paul himself. By parity of reasoning, this equally appertained to the Jews, excepting the condition of that time [ i.e. the Jews had always observed these precepts, whereas they were then for the first time imposed on the Gentiles]. ἡμεá¿Ï ) we ourselves. κÏίνανÏÎµÏ ÏÏ Î»Î¬ÏÏεÏθαι ) The intervening words, μηδὲν ÏοιοῦÏον ÏηÏεá¿Î½ αá½ÏÎ¿á½ºÏ , εἰ μὴ , savour of a paraphrase. The old authorities have not the words. [125]
[125] Hence the shorter reading, although declared in the larger Ed. to be the weaker reading, is reckoned by the margin of Exodus 2:0 among those better established; and the Germ. Vers. expresses, no doubt, that paraphrase, but encloses it in brackets. E. B.
The words are supported by CDE de as well as by the Rec. Text. But AB Vulg. Memph. Theb. Syr. omit them. E. and T.
Verse 26
Acts 21:26 . ΤÏÏε , then ) Great yieldingness (complaisance). διαγγÎλλÏν ) signifying, professing or declaring . Ïὴν á¼ÎºÏλήÏÏÏιν , the fulfilment ) about to be: Acts 21:27 , the seven days ; Numbers 6:9 ; Numbers 6:13 .
Verse 27
Acts 21:27 . Îá¼± á¼ÏÏá½° ) The αἱ has a relative force in relation to those days of which Act 21:26 treats.
Verse 29
Acts 21:29 . Σá½Î½ αá½Ïá¿· , with him ) We ought to be anxious, but not too much so, in maintaining our converse with the saints, although likely thereby not to please the ungodly. Paul did not introduce Trophimus into the temple: and yet he did not wholly shun him on account of the Jews. á¼Î½Ïμιζον , they supposed ) Zealots are often mistaken in their suppositions .
Verse 30
Acts 21:30 . Îá¼± θÏÏαι , the doors ) Lest Paul should avail himself of the protection of the temple.
Verse 31
Acts 21:31 . á¼ÏοκÏεá¿Î½Î±Î¹ , to kill ) with strokes and blows: Acts 21:32 . á¼Î½Îβη , came up ) to the Antonian tower, where there was wont to be a garrison and camp of the Romans. ÏάÏÎ¹Ï , a report ) sudden.
Verse 32
Acts 21:32 . á¼Î¾Î±Ï Ïá¿Ï , immediately ) He supposed that delay is dangerous: Acts 21:38 .
Verse 33
Acts 21:33 . á¼ÏελάβεÏο , apprehended him) This captivity of Paul both was the means of his protection, and afforded him the opportunity of preaching the Gospel in the greater safety, in spite of every tumult, ch. Acts 22:22 , and that too in places to which he otherwise could not possibly have had access: Acts 21:40 , ch. Acts 28:31 . á¼ÏÏ Î½Î¸Î¬Î½ÎµÏο , he inquired ) of the crowd, indiscriminately, as being upon his first approach: Acts 21:34 . ÏÎ¯Ï , Ïί who, what ) Two heads of inquiry, both concerning the saints and concerning the ungodly.
Verse 34
Acts 21:34 . ΠαÏεμβολὴν ) the castle , which the Roman guards (garrison) were holding possession of.
Verse 35
Acts 21:35 . Î£Ï Î½Îβη , it occurred, so it was , that) An auxiliary verb, akin to á¼Î³ÎνεÏο , it came to pass .
Verse 36
Acts 21:36 . Îá½°Ï , for ) The violence and impetuosity of the people is evidenced by their cries.
Verse 37
Acts 21:37 . ÎÎλλÏν , when he was about to be led) By a most immediate guidance of Divine wisdom, Paul takes this most suitable place for speaking [for making his address to the people], εἰ á¼Î¾ÎµÏÏί μοι ; may I he allowed? ) He addresses him modestly.
Verse 38
Acts 21:38 . Îá½Îº á¼Ïα ; art thou not? ) The captain (tribune) of the soldiers drew his inference thus: Paul speaks Greek; therefore he is the Egyptian. [All along from the times of Alexander the Great, the Greek tongue flourished in Egypt. V. g.]
Verse 39
Acts 21:39 . Îὲν ) Îὲν imparts á¼¦Î¸Î¿Ï to the beginning of a speech: ch. Acts 22:3 , á¼Î³á½¼ μÎν εἰμι á¼Î½Î®Ï . [ λαλá¿Ïαι , to speak ) With what great prudence did the apostle forthwith avail himself of the opportunity afforded by circumstances! Wheresoever he beheld a multitude, the desire of speaking took possession of him: ch. Acts 19:30 . V. g.]
Verse 40
[40. á¼Ïá½¶ Ïῶν á¼Î½Î±Î²Î±Î¸Î¼á¿¶Î½ , upon the steps ) What an advantage did Paul’s captivity obtain for him, even at the very beginning of it! V. g.]