King James Version

What Does Acts 21:24 Mean?

Acts 21:24 in the King James Version says “Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

Acts 21:24 · KJV


Context

22

What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23

Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24

Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25

As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

26

Then 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul's willing participation in the purification ritual demonstrated his principle of becoming 'all things to all men' (1 Corinthians 9:22). His public temple presence with these men would testify that he 'walkest orderly, and keepest the law' in matters of cultural practice. This showed Paul's consistency - liberty for Gentiles didn't mean contempt for Jewish heritage.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The seven-day purification period followed Nazirite vow regulations. Paul's payment for the sacrifices would have been substantial, possibly using funds from the Gentile churches' collection, ironically using Gentile gifts to demonstrate Jewish piety.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you willing to set aside your Christian liberty to remove obstacles to others' faith?
  2. How does Paul's example inform modern discussions about contextualizing the gospel in different cultures?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
τούτους1 of 30

Them

G5128

these (persons, as objective of verb or preposition)

παραλαβὼν2 of 30

take

G3880

to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn

ἁγνίσθητι3 of 30

and purify thyself

G48

to make clean, i.e., (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally)

σὺν4 of 30

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

αὐτὸς5 of 30

that thou thyself

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ6 of 30

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δαπάνησον7 of 30

be at charges

G1159

to expend, i.e., (in a good sense) to incur cost, or (in a bad one) to waste

ἐπ'8 of 30

with

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτὸς9 of 30

that thou thyself

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἵνα10 of 30

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ξυρήσωνται11 of 30

they may shave

G3587

to shave or "shear" the hair

τὴν12 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κεφαλήν13 of 30

their heads

G2776

the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively

καὶ14 of 30

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γνῶσιν15 of 30

may know

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

πάντες16 of 30

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὅτι17 of 30

that those things

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὧν18 of 30

whereof

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

κατήχηνται19 of 30

they were informed

G2727

to sound down into the ears, i.e., (by implication) to indoctrinate ("catechize") or (genitive case) to apprise of

περὶ20 of 30

concerning

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

σοῦ21 of 30

thee

G4675

of thee, thy

οὐδέν22 of 30

nothing

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

ἐστιν23 of 30

are

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἀλλὰ24 of 30

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

στοιχεῖς25 of 30

walkest orderly

G4748

to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e., (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety

καὶ26 of 30

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτὸς27 of 30

that thou thyself

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὸν28 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμον29 of 30

the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

φυλάσσων30 of 30

and keepest

G5442

to watch, i.e., be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 21:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 21:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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