Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 21:15 - 21:16

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 21:15 - 21:16


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_21:15-16

 15After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge.

Act_21:15 "we got ready" The King James Version has "took up our carriages" (NKJV has "packed"). This is a graphic word used of travel preparation and is found only here in the NT.

 ▣ "Jerusalem" It was about 64 miles away.

Act_21:16 "Mnason" This was a Jewish Christian from Cyprus (like Barnabas). He would have been one of the Hellenistec Jews, like the Seven of Acts 6. Apparently he had been a believer from the early days; possibly Luke interviewed him for his Gospel while staying in Palestine during Paul's imprisonment at Caesarea.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS INTO Act_21:17 to Act_23:30

A. BRIEF OUTLINE OF Act_21:17 to Act_26:32 (Paul's imprisonment and defense both in Jerusalem and Caesarea.)

1. Riot and arrest at the Temple Act_21:17-40

2. Paul's defense before the mob Act_22:1-22

3. The Roman Interrogation Act_22:23-30

4. The Sanhedrin Interrogation Act_23:1-10

5. The conspiracy to murder Paul Act_23:11-35

6. Paul before Felix Act_24:1-23

7. Paul before Felix and Drucilla privately Act_24:24-27

8. Paul before Festus Act_25:1-12

9. Paul before Agrippa II and Bernice Act_25:13 to Act_26:32



B. COMMON ELEMENTS OF PAUL'S DEFENSE



Common Elements Paul before Mob Paul before Sanhedrin Paul before Felix Paul before Festus Paul before Agrippa II 1. His Jewish Background Act_22:3 Act_24:14; Act_24:17-18 Act_26:4 2. His Pharisaic training and zeal Act_22:3 Act_23:6-9 Act_24:15; Act_24:21 Act_26:5-8 3. His Persecution of "The Way" Act_22:4-5 Act_26:9-11 4. His Personal testimony of his conversion Act_22:6-16 Act_26:12-16 5. His Call to specific ministry by God Act_22:17-22 Act_26:17-23 C. COMPARISON OF SADDUCEES AND PHARISEES



SADDUCEES PHARISEES Origin

Name Means

Social Status

Scriptural Question





Theology









Maccabean Period

"Zadokities"?

Priestly Aristocracy

Written Law only

(especially Genesis

through Deuteronomy)

Conservative

– just the opposite

of Pharisees, who

were accused of

being influenced

by Zoroastrianism

(cf Act_23:8) Maccabean Period

"Separated Ones"?

Middle Class Laymen

All of the Oral & Written Law plus the Prophets and Writing sections of the OT canon

Progressive

– highly developed angeology

– belief in life after death

and resurrection

– very structured rules for daily life