Acts 21:27-36 – When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) 30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”
“The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.” A fire spreads quickly when a man adds an accelerant. In this case the accusers, who were feeling threatened by Paul’s teachings, both started the fire and threw gas on it. They either did not understand his teachings or lied about them. Then, they either lied, or wrongly assumed that Paul had “defiled” the temple by bringing Trophimus (non-Jew) into it. Actually, while Trophimus was with Paul, he did not enter the temple with him. The instigators were after blood and they weren’t concerned about facts. Whenever there is a rush to justice we should beware. Why do the accusers not want to be sure of all the facts before conclusions are drawn? Family, beware those who can’t wait for all the facts. (Proverbs 18:17)
“While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.” Let’s not skip over the opening of the first sentence here. The intent of the offending Jews was not arresting him, it was not to shake him up and then to let him go, it was not to only beat him, no, their intent was to kill him. This was all the result of men purposely lying about Paul with the intent to cause his death. If one cannot withstand the truth of another person, they too often try to hurt him, to remove him, to silence him, or to kill them.
When riots broke out in the city the Romans would come quickly. It was not necessarily because they cared about the welfare of someone like Paul, but they were concerned about their own welfare. If things got out of control and got back to Rome, then people in authority could lose their positions. Rome wanted control maintained and did not want riots that lead to uprisings. So the commander and solders came quickly and as soon as this illegal mob saw the Romans troops coming they stopped beating Paul. They knew that if they did not they could end up suffering the wrath of the Romans.
“The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. To quiet the crowd and to protect Paul from being murdered the commander had Paul put in protective custody. The commander then inquired of the crowd what Paul had done to cause such outrage. Because the crowd was so riled up, and really didn’t even know the reason for being so angry with Paul, the commander could not find out what Paul may have done to cause this riot. So the commander wanted to remove Paul to the barracks so that he could get answers and so that the crowd would quiet down and disperse. The commander probably wondered what heinous thing Paul had done and he would never have imagined that this was all over personal beliefs. Paul believed in and preached the Gospel. The Jews who disagreed felt threatened by the truth of Paul’s words and also that many were coming to believe what Paul preached. The instigators were violent and murderous because they could lose their influence and position over the people. Certainly the commander would “scratch his head” that all this was over opposing beliefs.
“When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!” Wow, put ourselves in Paul’s place. He had been falsely accused, beaten by a mob who intended to kill him, and they were so intent on killing him that they even pressed in on the Roman solders and tried to snatch Paul away from them so they could finish the job of killing him. Family, most of us would have been terrified, but not Paul, as we shall see.
If we were being beaten and almost pulled apart because we have clung to the truth of the Gospel, and if we were going to face what Paul faced, would we stand strong with Jesus? Let us encourage ourselves and each other that we must stand strong for Jesus. Jesus said ““Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33) Jesus also said “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26) We must never take lightly the grace by which we are saved and which was purchased at a great price to Jesus. Do not think that we can waffle from one side to another. We must remember Galatians 6:7 which tells us that God will not be mocked. We should not think that we can count the blood of Jesus lightly. That is not what one who truly loves Him does. Do we think that parents of a soldier take it lightly when a person dishonors their son and what he, or she, died for? No, if someone gave their life for you, and then you dishonor them, that person’s parents will not be your friends. Let’s not fool ourselves, if we don’t honor the blood of Christ, do we think God the Father will be our friend? Some raise the banner of grace, and rightfully so, but remember God knows true motives and He knows what is in the heart so that is a dangerous game to play. Instead, let us praise and honor God always, to the best of our ability. Let us stand strong for He who stood strong for us. Let us praise our triune God. Yes, praise and stand strong with God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”