On the route to Jerusalem Paul stays with fellow believers in Christian communities. This act has a two-fold purpose, to encourage them in what he considers his final days and for protection from those who would kill him before he is able to complete his quest. He is well received by all believers which speaks highly of his character. He also receives a warning from the Spirit, delivered by every believer he greets, that nothing good awaits him in Jerusalem.

Why Paul is so set on reaching the great city remains a mystery. Perhaps he is simply tired of running and wants to make a last stand. Whatever the reason, nothing deterred him.

Along the way Paul returns to Ceasarea and drops in on Philip the Evangelist. When we last left Philip he was married and had four children – all daughters. They are grown now and past the age expected of marriage. Each has the gift of prophecy. While Paul and Luke stayed with Philip we are introduced to a new and colorful character, Agabus. Hailing from Judea, this prophet came to deliver a special warning to Paul. In the picturesque way of prophets he took Paul’s belt and demonstrated how its owner would be bound hand and foot should he dare to step into Jerusalem. A prophecy that would be fulfilled in verse 33. Even this demonstration did not persuade the apostle and finally the team gave up trying to talk him out of his quest. They left the matter in God’s hands.

When they finally departed for Jerusalem Paul was accompanied by Luke and a group of believers to safely deliver him to the home of Mnason of Cyprus, a man of faith and an original follower of Jesus. Upon their arrival they were greeted by other Christians in an excited yet cautious frenzy.

The next day Paul and Luke met with James and the elders of the church of Jerusalem to discuss tactics. James and the church had an understanding of the plot the Jews concocted to trap Paul, a plot regarding his unfaithfulness to the Jewish religion. They found a way to counter that accusation and Paul went along with the machinations of purification and sacrifice following a Nazarite Vow. All was for naught, however, as the Jewish leadership simply modified their plan and falsely accused Paul of defiling the inner court of the temple. Enraged, the people began to berate and abuse Paul.

The commotion alerted the Roman guard who, from the position of their fortress, could see the temple area in a commotion and dispatched guards to arrest Paul and safely bring him in. We’ll discuss at another time what this description of the Temple in relationship to the Roman fort means in relationship to the Temple’s location, but for now note that Paul, bound hand and foot, was lead into the fort safely with a mob growing outside its gates. Leave it to Paul to turn a false arrest into an opportunity for the gospel.