Acts 21:26
What does Acts 21:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 21:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 21:26 means
Paul accepts the elders’ counsel. He takes the men, purifies himself with them, and enters the temple to announce the fulfillment of the days of purification until the offering is presented for each. This shows Paul’s humility and his desire to maintain peace with Jewish believers. He demonstrates that, as a Jew, he does not despise temple worship or lawful customs. His participation aims to quiet slander and build bridges. Yet obedience to this counsel does not guarantee safety; faithfulness may still lead to suffering. Paul acts in good faith, trusting God with the consequences, even as unseen opponents move toward confrontation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Paul took the men, and on the day after, making himself clean with them, he went into the Temple, giving out the statement that the days necessary for making them clean were complete, till the offering was made for every one of them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then Paul, having taken the men, on the following day, with them having purified himself, was entering into the temple, announcing the fulfilment of the days of the purification, till the offering was offered for each one of them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Paul took the men and, the next day being purified with them, entered into the temple, giving notice of the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an oblation should be offered for every one of them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then Paul, taking the men, on the next day, having been purified, entered with them into the temple, signifying the time the days of the purification would be fulfilled, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
Context
With the Gentile decree reaffirmed (verse 25), Paul carries out the proposed plan. The narrative now shifts from church counsel to temple action. Verses 27–29 reveal how Jews from Asia will misread the situation, accuse Paul of defiling the temple, and incite a mob. Verses 30–36 depict the citywide turmoil and Roman intervention. Thus, verse 26 stands as the hinge: a sincere effort at peace that becomes the occasion for Paul’s seizure by hostile forces.
v.25But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.
v.26This passage
v.27And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 9:20
And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
- Acts 24:18
amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia—
- Numbers 6:13
And this is the law of the Nazirite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tent of meeting:
- Acts 21:24
these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 21
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 21.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
What the Bible says about…