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hospitality. As the result, his name is read where the New Testament has penetrated, while the memory of men
who commanded obeisance at the time have been forgotten. It is possible that the words archaio mathete may mean
`an original disciple', i.e., one who had been brought into the light of the gospel at the visit of Paul and Barnabas to
Cyprus on their first missionary journey; or it may refer to the day of Pentecost, as the word arche indicates in Acts
11:15. With Mnason the apostle rested upon his arrival in Jerusalem, and gathered strength for the approaching
conflict. It was the apostle's Bethany:
`And when were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly' (Acts 21:17).
This was the fifth and last recorded visit of the apostle to Jerusalem since his conversion.
The structure of the section before us is simple:
Acts 21:1-17
J
Acts 21:1-3.
From Miletus to Tyre.
K Acts 21:4.
Prophecy. `Not go up to Jerusalem'.
L Acts 21:5,6.
Departure. Accompanied.
J Acts 21:7-9.
Tyre to Cęsarea.
K Acts 21:10-14.
Prophecy. `Not go up to Jerusalem'.
L Acts 21:15-17.
Departure. Accompanied.
How intimate is the record of these days:
`Both the state of the weather and the direction of the wind are known. We can point to the place on the map
where the vessel anchored for the night, and trace across the chart the track that was followed, when the moon
was full. Yet more than this. We are made fully aware of the state of the apostle's mind, and of the burdened
feeling under which this journey was accomplished' (Conybeare and Howson).
All is now ready, Pentecost has come, Paul is at Jerusalem, the city teems with fanatics and enemies, but a
purpose that goes back before the overthrow of the world is about to emerge, and grace beyond dreams is to be made
known through this same Paul, as the prisoner of Jesus Christ for us Gentiles.
We therefore prayerfully anticipate our study of the remainder of this section of the Acts, which must occupy our
attention in the next pages. May our sense of gratitude to the earthen vessel, and our appreciation of his loyalty
amid temptation and sufferings for `His body's sake which is the church', be none the less, because, in these days so
far distant from the throbbing events recorded, we are able to lift serene eyes to the unseen hand that guided and
upheld the apostle, that we through his ministry might learn of heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
The reception of the apostle at Jerusalem (Acts 21:18-21)
We left the apostle in the care of the old disciple Mnason, with whom he spent the last peaceful night that he was
to know for, perhaps, the rest of his tumultuous life.
`And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present' (Acts 21:18).
Before examining this new section in detail, let us see the structure:
Acts 21:18-26
M 21:18.
Went in. Paul and his companions.
N 21:19.
Gentiles. What God had wrought.