39“But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
40“For we are in danger of being 12called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.”
41And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 20
Journeys in Greece
1After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and adeparted to go to Macedonia.
2Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to bGreece
3and stayed three months. And cwhen the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also dAristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and eGaius of Derbe, and fTimothy, and gTychicus and hTrophimus of Asia.
5These men, going ahead, waited for us at iTroas.
6But we sailed away from Philippi after jthe Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them kat Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Ministering at Troas
7Now on lthe first day of the week, when the disciples came together mto break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
8There were many lamps nin the upper room where 1they were gathered together.
9And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10But Paul went down, ofell on him, and embracing him said, p“Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”
11Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.
12And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
From Troas to Miletus
13Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had 2given orders, intending himself to go on foot.
14And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
15We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.
16For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for qhe was hurrying rto be at Jerusalem, if possible, on sthe Day of Pentecost.
The Ephesian Elders Exhorted
17From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
18And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, tfrom the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
19“serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me uby the plotting of the Jews;
20“how vI kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21w“testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, xrepentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22“And see, now yI go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
23“except that zthe Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
243“But anone of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, bso that I may finish my 4race with joy, cand the ministry dwhich I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
26“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am einnocent5 of the blood of all men.
27“For I have not 6shunned to declare to you fthe whole counsel of God.
28g“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit hhas made you overseers, to shepherd the church 7of God iwhich He purchased jwith His own blood.
29“For I know this, that after my departure ksavage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30“Also lfrom among yourselves men will rise up, speaking 8perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31“Therefore watch, and remember that mfor three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and nto the word of His grace, which is able oto build you up and give you pan inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
349“Yes, you yourselves know qthat these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
35“I have shown you in every way, rby laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37Then they all swept 10freely, and tfell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
38sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts 21
Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem
1Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
2And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
3When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
4And finding 1disciples, we stayed there seven days. aThey told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
5When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And bwe knelt down on the shore and prayed.
6When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned chome.
7And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.
8On the next day we 2who were Paul’s companions departed and came to dCaesarea, and entered the house of Philip ethe evangelist, fwho was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9Now this man had four virgin daughters gwho prophesied.
10And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named hAgabus came down from Judea.
11When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, i‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
12Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13Then Paul answered, j“What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, k“The will of the Lord be done.”
Paul Urged to Make Peace
15And after those days we 3packed and went up to Jerusalem.
16Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
17lAnd when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18On the following day Paul went in with us to mJames, and all the elders were present.
19When he had greeted them, nhe told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles othrough his ministry.
20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have
believed, and they are all pzealous for the law;
21“but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
224“What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
23“Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow.
24“Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may qshave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
25“But concerning the Gentiles who believe, rwe have written and decided 5that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from 6sexual immorality.”
Arrested in the Temple
26Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, sentered the temple tto announce the 7expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
27Now when the seven days were almost ended, uthe Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and vlaid hands on him,
28crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man wwho teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29(For they had 8previously seen xTrophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30And yall the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
31Now as they were zseeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the 9garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32aHe immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33Then the bcommander came near and took him, and ccommanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, d“Away with him!”
Addressing the Jerusalem Mob
(Acts 9:1–19; 26:12–18)
37Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek?
38e“Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
39But Paul said, f“I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no 10mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and gmotioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the hHebrew language, saying,
Acts 22
Paul’s Defense at Jerusalem
1“Brethrena and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
2And when they heard that he spoke to them in the bHebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:
3c“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city dat the feet of eGamaliel, taught faccording to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and gwas zealous toward God has you all are today.
4i“I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,
5“as also the high priest bears me witness, and jall the council of the elders, kfrom whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus lto bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
6“Now mit happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
7“And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
8“So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9“And nthose who were with me indeed saw the light 1and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
10“So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’
11“And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
12“Then oa certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, phaving a good testimony with all the qJews who dwelt there,
13“came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.
14“Then he said, r‘The God of our fathers shas chosen you that you should tknow His will, and usee the Just One, vand hear the voice of His mouth.
15w‘For you will be His witness to all men of xwhat you have seen and heard.
16‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, yand wash away your sins, zcalling on the name of the Lord.’
17“Now ait happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance
18“and bsaw Him saying to me, c‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’
19“So I said, ‘Lord, dthey know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and ebeat those who believe on You.
20f‘And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by gconsenting 2to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
21“Then He said to me, ‘Depart, hfor I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
Paul’s Roman Citizenship
22And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, i“Away with such a fellow from the earth, for jhe is not fit to live!”
23Then, as they cried out and 3tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air,
24the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.
25And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, k“Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
26When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
27Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
28The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
29Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
The Sanhedrin Divided
30The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
Acts 23
The Jerusalem Jews Plot to Kill Paul
1Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, aI have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
2And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him bto strike him on the mouth.
3Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and cdo you command me
to be struck contrary to the law?”
4And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5Then Paul said, d“I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, e‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
6But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, fI am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; gconcerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
8hFor Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
9Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, i“We find no evil in this man; 1but jif a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, klet us not fight against God.”
10Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
The Plot Against Paul
11But lthe following night the Lord stood by him and said, 2“Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in mJerusalem, so you must also bear witness at nRome.”
12And when it was day, osome of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had pkilled Paul.
13Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
14They came to the chief priests and qelders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15“Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you 3tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 544