Devine Scripture

Acts 26:21

What does Acts 26:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 26:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 26:21 means

Paul states that because he preached this message of repentance and inclusion of Gentiles, the Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill him. The catalyst was not civil crime but theological offense: the implications of Christ’s fulfillment and Gentile inclusion provoked violent reaction. This frames his chains as the cost of faithfulness to the commission. Opposition arose at the heart of Jewish worship, showing how radical and threatening the gospel’s claim appeared. Yet the conflict confirms the message’s power: it confronts deeply held assumptions and calls all people to God through Jesus, not through ethnicity or law observance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason, the Jews took me in the Temple, and made an attempt to put me to death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because of these things the Jews--having caught me in the temple--were endeavouring to kill <FI>me<Fi> .

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For this cause, the Jews, when I was in the temple, having apprehended me, went about to kill me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

On account of these things the Jews, having seized me in the temple, attempted to lay hands on and destroy me.

Context

Having summarized his preaching (v.20), Paul explains the reason for his arrest (v.21). This clarifies for Agrippa and Festus that the case is religious, not political. Next, Paul will assert God’s sustaining help (v.22) and the prophetic basis of his message (vv.22–23). The flow shows that despite lethal opposition, Paul’s ministry continued by divine aid and remains within the boundaries of Scripture’s promise.

v.20but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

v.21This passage

v.22Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 21:30

    And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.

  • Acts 23:12

    And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

  • Acts 25:3

    asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.

  • Acts 21:27

    And 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,

  • Acts 22:22

    And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

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