Acts 21:26-36

Paul's Arrest in the Temple

Paul yielded to the proposal set forth by James and the others and began to be purified, perhaps to enter the inner part of the temple (See McGarvey). Near the end of the seven days of purification, some Jews from Asia found Paul in the temple area and called for others to help them. They accused him of: 1.) teaching against the Jews; 2.) teaching against the law; 3.) teaching against the temple; and 4.) bringing Greeks into the temple, thereby defiling it. As to the last charge, Luke reported that they had seen Paul in the city with Trophimus the Ephesian and supposed he had brought him into the temple. An angry mob seized the apostle and dragged him into the court of the Gentiles. The doors to the temple's inner court were shut so that no blood would defile it (Acts 21:26-30).

Through God's providence, word reached the chief captain of the Roman garrison guarding Jerusalem. He rushed with perhaps 300 men into the midst of the mob violence. The mob left off beating Paul as the soldiers arrived. The chief captain ordered Paul to be bound with two chains and asked of his crime. Different, possibly conflicting, answers were given, so he ordered Paul taken to the castle. The soldiers literally had to carry Paul as a large part of the crowd followed, shouting, "Away with him." (Acts 21:31-36).