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Acts 21: 24, however, refers to the actual "shaving" of the head. The Apostle
recognizes the distinction between these two words in I Cor. 11: 6: "If it be a shame for a
woman to be shorn or shaven." Dion Cassius, also, tells us that when the Prefect of
Egypt, for his own ends, sent an unusually large tribute, that had been wring out of the
people by extortion, Tiberius rebuked him by saying that he wished his sheep "shorn"
(keiresthai) and "shaved" (aposuresthai).
Bearing in mind the Apostle's vow, we can at once understand his desire to get to
Jerusalem without delay. At Ephesus he enters the synagogue and reasons with the Jews,
but although they "desire him to tarry longer time with them", we read that he "consented
not, but bade them farewell saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh at
Jerusalem".
Luke gives no details of the visit to Jerusalem, or of the keeping of the feast, or the
conclusion of the Nazarite vow. All he says is:
"And when he had landed at Cęsarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went
down to Antioch" (Acts 18: 22).
The details were apparently not necessary for Luke's purpose in writing the Acts, and
we must abide by the inspired decision. Nothing of moment seems to have taken place,
no conference with the leaders at Jerusalem, and no turmoil or riot among the Jews. The
Apostle was permitted to fulfil his vow in peace. "He saluted the church", and turned his
steps once more to the regions beyond.
Jerusalem was not the spiritual centre of Paul's activity, but rather Antioch; and it is
to Antioch, where he first received the definite call to evangelize the Gentiles, that his
footsteps now turn. After a little time spent among friends, a short period of refreshment,
we once again find the Apostle on the road. The call to service, and the needs of his
spiritual family could not be ignored.
"And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of
Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples" (Acts 18: 23).
The fact that he visited the churches "in order" enables us to follow the Apostle's
footsteps as he visits the church which was founded when he and Barnabas had
responded to the call in Acts 13: Passing through the "upper coasts" (i.e. the highland
district of the Western Taurus range), he at length arrives at Ephesus, and so is able to
fulfil his promise that, "if God will", he would return to them again (Acts 19: 1 and
18: 21).
Before we deal with Acts 19:, however, and Paul's great work at Ephesus, we have
another incident to consider, that took place while Paul was absent from Ephesus.
"A certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in
the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and
being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing
only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, whom when