Acts 19
(This chapter continued Paul's third missionary journey. Click on the map to enlarge...)
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples:
(Paul went to Ephesus.)
2 and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.
3 And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism.
(The believers Paul met in Ephesus had not heard about the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were baptized only in John's water baptism.)
4 And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.
5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
(Paul taught the baptism of Jesus Christ, who came after John the Baptist.)
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
(Doctrine: Paul laid his hands upon them and the Holy Spirit came on them. These believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit and the sign of this was speaking in tongues and prophesying.)
7 And they were in all about twelve men.
8 And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.
(Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue for three months.)
9 But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
(Because of some people's unbelief and wickedness against "the Way," Paul took the disciples with him and taught in the school of Tyrannus.)
10 And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
(Paul taught in this school for two years and all of Asia heard the Gospel.)
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the evil spirits went out.
(Special miracles were done by Paul. Even Paul's handkerchiefs and aprons were a source of faith for people to be healed and released from evil spirits.)
13 But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
(Notice, these exorcists attempted to "adjure" the evil spirits. The word adjure meant "to force to take an oath.")
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this.
(The seven sons of a chief priest did their spiritual warfare by making a statement where they themselves were the subject ("I adjure you"). They did not state a will for the evil spirit, but tried to reach agreement with it through an oath. They also made this statement by Paul's faith, not their own. Finally, they did not do it by the Name of Jesus, but they attempted to do this by Jesus Himself. We have seen a correct way to have done this spiritual warfare would have been, "I charge thee in the Name of Jesus Christ, come out of him." Instead, they said the wrong words in the wrong order. What happened?)
15 And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
(The evil spirit overcame them. The evil spirit first asked a question and then caused the man to physically "master" two men.)
17 And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.
19 And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
(Books on witchcraft were burnt, so many of them that the price was 50,000 pieces of silver. Each of these pieces of silver was equivalent to a day's wage. This would be several million dollars today. Notice, what was burned: books that taught how to do evil spiritual warfare. How was that done? Through words.)
20 So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.
(From the beginning of the New Testament Church, we see that words are powerful and important.)
21 Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
(Paul knew this journey would end in Jerusalem, and that after this journey he must see Rome.)
22 And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
(Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia but Paul stayed in Asia.)
23 And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;
25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth.
26 And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:
(The idolatry in Asia brought a lot of money to the men who made these gods.)
27 and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus.
(The silversmiths gathered together and were angry about losing business.)
29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel.
(Companions of Paul were captured.)
30 And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
(Paul's friends tried to prevent Paul from entering the theatre. The mob was chaotic and confused. Many of the people did not even know why they were there.)
33 And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people.
34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
(The people chanted "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" for two hours when they realized Alexander, who was a Jew, was going to speak.)
35 And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.
(The townclerk quieted the people and helped them see that the men they seized had done nothing legally wrong. He also appealed to their beliefs: if Diana was truly a God, then these men couldn't dispute this.)
38 If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.
39 But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.
40 For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.
(The townclerk recognized there was no just cause for the riot that started and told people they would end up being guilty because they would not be able to explain their behavior.)
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
(The people realized the townclerk was right and everyone left.)
Acts 20
1 And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.
(Paul went to Macedonia and then Greece. The city of Corinth was in Macedonia. Paul went to Corinth on this journey and this was when he wrote the Book of Romans, also called the Epistle to the Romans because it was a letter.)
3 And when he had spent three months there, and a plot was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
(Paul returned to Macedonia after being in Greece for three months. The Jews were plotting against him.)
4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days.
(They left Philippi and went to Troas, Luke's hometown.)
7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.
9 And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him.
(Eutychus fell from the third loft as Paul was preaching and died, but Paul raised him from the dead.)
11 And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.
(The healing of Eutychus brought great comfort to the people.)
13 But we going before to the ship set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.
(They sailed to Assos.)
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15 And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.
(They went to Mitylene, then Chios, to Samos, and to Miletus.)
16 For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
(Paul sailed past Ephesus because he wanted to make it to Jerusalem for Pentecost so he sent for the elders of Ephesus to come to Miletus. Paul was no longer retracing the path he followed on the way out during his third missionary journey. It seemed Paul felt it was important to speak with the elders of Ephesus but he did not go to them, maybe because Paul knew if he went to Ephesus that he would stay there for a while and miss the day of Pentecost.)
(Verses 18-35: Paul's farewell charge to the elders of Ephesus.)
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time,
19 serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
(The time Paul spent with the Ephesians was filled with humility and great emotions.)
20 how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,
21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Paul taught publicly in Ephesus the things that were profitable: repentance toward God and faith toward Christ.)
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
(Paul did not know specifically what would happen to him in Jerusalem but he knew the Holy Spirit would lead him, and he knew it involved bonds and afflictions. Paul was willing to walk through tough circumstances.)
24 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
(Paul knew the result of these bonds and afflictions would be him not seeing the church in Ephesus again.)
26 Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
28 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
(Paul made sure to encourage the overseers (bishops) of Ephesus to care for the Church.)
29 I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
(With Paul gone, the Ephesians would experience deception. Wolves would enter in seeking to destroy them and even men from within would draw believers away from the Church.)
31 Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
33 I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
(Paul made himself an example to the Ephesians. He did not physically profit from his ministry.)
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
38 sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.
(Paul prayed with them and they all wept. They were sad that they would not see Paul again.)
Acts 21
1 And when it came to pass that were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
(Paul went to Cos, then Rhodes, and then Patara.)
2 and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.
(Then he sailed to Phoenicia.)
3 And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
(They sailed past Cyprus to the south, then on to Syria and landed at Tyre.)
4 And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.
5 And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;
6 and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.
7 And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
(…then they went from Tyre to Ptolemais.)
8 And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.
(Then to Caesarea where they entered Philip the Evangelist's house. Philip was one of the seven chosen in Acts 6:1-5 to oversee the distribution of food and was the man who was supernaturally translated after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:39-40.)
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.
10 And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
(A man prophesied to Paul that he would be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and delivered to the Gentiles, the Roman government.)
12 And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
(Luke stated that he and other supporters of Paul told him not to go to Jerusalem, they attempted to do the opposite of the prophecy. Paul was willing to go through this and even death for the Name of Jesus. Paul was a man, he was focused on the causes regardless of the effects.)
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
15 And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.
(They continued to try and persuade Paul. When they could not, they said, "The will of the Lord be done"...and went to Jerusalem.)
16 And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.
(Again, it looked as if James the Lesser was the leader of the council in Jerusalem. Paul gave a report of what happened on his journeys. This ended Paul's third missionary journey.)
20 And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:
21 and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.
(Another example of the dispute over whether or not to keep the Law of Moses. The council stated that it was being falsely reported that Paul was teaching Jews to not be circumcised and not follow the customs.)
22 What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them;
24 these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.
(The council stated they realized Paul was being falsely accused. The council wanted Paul to do an outward sign that he was keeping the Law of Moses.)
25 But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
27 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,
(Paul was seized by a mob of Jews.)
28 crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this holy place.
29 For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.
(The Jewish leaders falsely accused Paul of bringing a Greek into the temple. They did not confirm Trophimus was in the temple, they just supposed it.)
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.
31 And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
(The government was made aware that a riot was about to break out over these false accusations against Paul.)
32 And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul.
(The people beating Paul stopped once the government showed up.)
33 Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done.
34 And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle.
35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the crowd;
36 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.
(The mob was about to kill Paul until he was rescued by Roman soldiers. However, Agabus' prophecy was fulfilled: Paul was bound by the Jews and given to the Gentiles.)
37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I say something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?
38 Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?
39 But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.
(Paul asked the chief captain if he could address the people.)
40 And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,
(The captain agreed. In the next chapter, Paul began to address the people.)
(This post covered the completion of Paul's third missionary journey and Paul being bound by the Jews and given to the Gentiles.)
Day 319
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