Acts 21:26

KJV

Then Paul took the men, and 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} Paul {G3972} took {G3880} the men {G435}, and the next {G2192} day {G2250} purifying himself {G48} with {G4862} them {G846} entered {G1524} into {G1519} the temple {G2411}, to signify {G1229} the accomplishment {G1604} of the days {G2250} of purification {G49}, until {G2193} that {G3739} an offering {G4376} should be offered {G4374} for {G5228} every {G1538} one {G1520} of them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The next day Sha’ul took the men, purified himself along with them and entered the Temple to give notice of when the period of purification would be finished and the offering would have to be made for each of them.

Berean Standard Bible

So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 21:26 describes Paul's proactive step to enter the Jerusalem Temple with four Jewish Christians who had taken a Nazirite vow. This action was taken the day after his arrival in Jerusalem, following the counsel of James and the elders, to publicly demonstrate his adherence to Jewish customs and dispel widespread false rumors that he was teaching Jews in the Diaspora to abandon the Mosaic Law. Paul's participation in the purification rites and his commitment to cover the associated offerings were intended to signify the completion of the Nazirite vow period for these men, thereby affirming his respect for the Law and fostering unity within the early church.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Paul's arrival in Jerusalem and his meeting with James and the elders of the church (Acts 21:17-25). During this meeting, the elders expressed concern over reports that Paul was teaching Jews to forsake the Law, specifically regarding circumcision and customs. To counter these accusations and maintain peace, they advised Paul to join four men who had a Nazirite vow, purify himself with them, and pay their expenses for the required temple offerings. Acts 21:26 details Paul's immediate and willing obedience to this counsel, setting the stage for the dramatic events of his subsequent arrest in the temple, which begins in Acts 21:27. This act is a pivotal moment, showcasing Paul's commitment to unity and his strategic approach to ministry, even if it meant participating in practices he considered non-essential for salvation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church in Jerusalem was predominantly Jewish, with many believers remaining zealous for the Law of Moses (Acts 21:20). The Temple continued to be a central place of worship and ritual for them, even after the advent of Christ. The Nazirite vow, outlined in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Nazirite Vow"), was a voluntary commitment of separation to God for a specified period, involving abstinence from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding ritual defilement. At the completion of the vow, specific purification rites and sacrifices were required at the Temple. Paul, as a Jew, was familiar with these customs. His willingness to participate and even subsidize the offerings for the four men was a significant act of solidarity and a public affirmation of his respect for Jewish tradition, directly addressing the accusations that he was an apostate from Judaism. This demonstrated his principle of becoming "all things to all people" (as articulated in [1 Corinthians 9:19-23](/1_corinthians/9-19-23 "1 Corinthians 9:19-23 - Paul's Ministry Philosophy")) to win them to Christ, without compromising the core truth of the Gospel.
* **Key Themes:** Paul's actions in [Acts 21](/acts/21 "Acts 21 - Paul's Journey to Jerusalem and Arrest") highlight several key themes. Firstly, **Cultural Sensitivity and Unity** are paramount; Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles who championed freedom from the Law, willingly engages in a Jewish ceremonial ritual to foster unity between Jewish and Gentile believers and to avoid unnecessary offense. Secondly, the passage underscores the importance of **Dispelling False Accusations** with integrity and wisdom; Paul's public act was a direct, visible refutation of the slander that he was anti-Law. Thirdly, it illustrates the **Transitional Nature of the Early Church**, where traditional Jewish practices continued to hold significance for Jewish believers even as the new covenant in Christ was being established. This period saw a delicate balance between Christian liberty and respect for deeply ingrained cultural and religious heritage, particularly evident in the Jerusalem church's approach to the Law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **purifying himself (Greek, _hagnízō'_):** From G48, meaning "to make clean, i.e. (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally)." In this context, it refers specifically to the ceremonial cleansing rituals required by Jewish law, particularly after a period of ritual defilement or at the completion of a Nazirite vow. Paul's action here is not about personal spiritual defilement but about participating in a prescribed ritual to demonstrate conformity to Jewish custom.
* **to signify (Greek, _diangéllō'_):** From G1229, meaning "to herald thoroughly:--declare, preach, signify." This word indicates that Paul's entry into the temple was not a private act but a public declaration or announcement. He was making it known that the period of purification for the men (and implicitly, for himself in solidarity) was reaching its conclusion, leading to the final offerings. It highlights the public and demonstrative nature of his actions.
* **accomplishment (Greek, _ekplḗrōsis'_):** From G1604, meaning "completion." This term emphasizes that the "days of purification" were not just ongoing, but were reaching their full term or fulfillment. Paul's presence and payment were for the *completion* of these days, which would then necessitate the final sacrifices. It underscores the culmination of a specific ritual period.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Paul took the men":** This signifies Paul's immediate and intentional action in response to the elders' advice. He actively engaged with the four Jewish Christians who had taken the Nazirite vow, demonstrating his solidarity and commitment to their cause.
* **"and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple":** This phrase details the timing and nature of Paul's participation. "The next day" indicates prompt obedience. "Purifying himself with them" means he underwent the necessary ritual cleansing alongside the men, aligning himself with their Jewish practice. Entering the "temple" (G2411, _hierón_, referring to the entire sacred precinct) was a public act, visible to many.
* **"to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification":** This clause explains the purpose of Paul's action. His presence was a public declaration or notification to the temple authorities that the period of purification for the Nazirites was coming to an end. This "accomplishment" (G1604, _ekplḗrōsis_) implies the completion of the required days of separation and ritual preparation.
* **"until that an offering should be offered for every one of them":** This specifies the ultimate goal of the purification period. The purification was a prerequisite for the final sacrifices mandated by the Law at the conclusion of a Nazirite vow. Paul's involvement extended to ensuring these offerings were made, likely by covering their costs, demonstrating his full support for the legitimate Jewish practice.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Narrative Action** to convey Paul's immediate and public response to the counsel of the Jerusalem elders. His physical act of "taking the men," "purifying himself," and "entering into the temple" are concrete, observable actions that serve a specific purpose within the narrative. There is also an element of **Symbolism** in Paul's actions; his participation in the purification rites, a deeply Jewish custom, symbolizes his willingness to bridge divides and demonstrate respect for Jewish heritage, even as he champions the freedom of the Gospel for Gentiles. This act is also tinged with **Irony**, as Paul, who vigorously defended Gentile believers from the imposition of the Law, now voluntarily participates in a legalistic ritual himself, highlighting his strategic flexibility and commitment to unity over rigid adherence to a single ministry approach.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 21:26 offers profound insights into the complex relationship between Christian liberty and cultural sensitivity, particularly in a transitional period of faith. Paul's willingness to participate in a Jewish purification rite, though not salvific, demonstrates a deep commitment to unity within the body of Christ and a strategic approach to ministry. He understood that while the Law could not save, respecting legitimate cultural and religious practices, when they did not compromise the Gospel, could remove stumbling blocks and build bridges. This act underscores the principle that love for others, and the desire to see them come to faith or be strengthened in it, sometimes calls for personal accommodation and humility, even from those with great spiritual authority. It highlights the wisdom of distinguishing between essential doctrines and non-essential cultural practices, prioritizing the advancement of the Gospel and the harmony of the church.

* [1 Corinthians 9:19-23](/1_corinthians/9-19-23 "1 Corinthians 9:19-23 - Paul Becomes All Things to All People"): Paul's principle of becoming "all things to all people" to win some, demonstrating his flexibility in ministry without compromising the Gospel.
* [Romans 14](/romans/14 "Romans 14 - Principles of Christian Liberty and Conscience"): Paul's teaching on not judging fellow believers on matters of conscience and weaker brothers, emphasizing love and building up rather than tearing down.
* [Galatians 2:1-10](/galatians/2-1-10 "Galatians 2:1-10 - Paul's Defense of Gentile Liberty"): Paul's earlier confrontation with Peter in Antioch, where he stood firm against imposing Jewish law on Gentiles, showing his discernment between essential Gospel truth and cultural accommodation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's actions in Acts 21:26 provide a powerful model for believers navigating cultural and theological differences within the church today. In an increasingly diverse world, Christians are often called to engage with people from varied backgrounds, traditions, and understandings of faith. Paul's example teaches us the importance of discernment: knowing when to stand firm on essential truths of the Gospel and when to exercise flexibility and sensitivity in non-essential matters. His willingness to humble himself and participate in a ritual that, for him, was no longer salvifically necessary, speaks volumes about his commitment to unity and his desire to remove unnecessary barriers to the spread of the Good News. This passage challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards those with different practices or interpretations, prompting us to ask if our stances are truly for the sake of the Gospel and the edification of the body, or if they are rooted in personal preference or rigid adherence to non-essential forms.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be perceived as unnecessarily rigid or insensitive to the cultural or traditional practices of others within the church or in my evangelistic efforts?**
* **How can I better discern between core biblical truths that must be upheld and non-essential practices where flexibility and accommodation are appropriate for the sake of unity and the Gospel?**
* **When faced with false accusations or misunderstandings, what lessons can I draw from Paul's approach to publicly demonstrate integrity and truth, rather than merely reacting defensively?**

### FAQ
**Why did Paul, who taught freedom from the Law, participate in a Jewish purification ritual?**

Answer: Paul's participation was a strategic act of cultural sensitivity and a public demonstration to counter false accusations. He was accused of teaching Jews to forsake the Law of Moses (Acts 21:21). By joining the four men in their Nazirite purification rites and covering their expenses, Paul publicly demonstrated his respect for Jewish customs and showed that he himself "walkest orderly, and keepest the law" (as advised in [Acts 21:24](/acts/21-24 "Acts 21:24 - Elders' Advice to Paul")). This was not a compromise of his theology of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, but an application of his principle to become "all things to all men" (as seen in [1 Corinthians 9:22](/1_corinthians/9-22 "1 Corinthians 9:22 - Paul's Adaptability in Ministry")) to win people to Christ and foster unity between Jewish and Gentile believers. For Paul, these rituals were not salvific, but they were culturally significant for many Jewish believers.

**What was a Nazirite vow, and what did Paul's payment signify?**

Answer: A Nazirite vow was a voluntary vow of separation to God, outlined in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Nazirite Vow"). It involved specific abstentions (e.g., from wine, cutting hair) for a set period. At the completion of the vow, the Nazirite had to undergo purification rites and offer specific sacrifices at the Temple. Paul's payment for the offerings of the four men (likely for the animals required for the burnt, sin, and peace offerings, along with grain and drink offerings) was a significant act of financial support and solidarity. It demonstrated his commitment to helping these men fulfill their religious obligations and further underscored his respect for Jewish tradition, dispelling rumors that he was anti-Law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's actions in Acts 21:26, though rooted in Jewish ceremonial law, find their ultimate meaning and fulfillment in Christ. While Paul participates in the purification rites and facilitates offerings, these acts foreshadow the perfect and final purification and offering accomplished by Jesus. The various sacrifices and cleansing rituals of the Old Covenant, including those associated with the Nazirite vow, were shadows pointing to the reality found in Christ. Jesus Himself is the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose single sacrifice on the cross definitively purifies believers from all sin (as explained in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Christ is the true Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity, rendering the physical temple and its rituals obsolete in terms of access to God (as taught in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")). Paul's temporary participation in these shadows highlights the profound grace of the New Covenant, where believers are purified not by ritualistic acts or animal sacrifices, but by the precious blood of Christ, who has accomplished all that the Law and prophets pointed towards, bringing us into perfect and lasting communion with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 24:18

Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

Numbers 6:13

And this [is] the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:

Numbers 6:20

And the priest shall wave them [for] a wave offering before the LORD: this [is] holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

Acts 21:24

Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave [their] heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but [that] thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

1 Corinthians 9:20

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;