King James Version

What Does Acts 21:26 Mean?

Acts 21:26 in the King James Version says “Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishm... — study this verse from Acts chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 21:26 · KJV


Context

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.

27

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28

Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple—Paul's voluntary participation in Jewish purification rites (καθαρισμός, katharismos) demonstrates his missionary flexibility: 'to the Jews I became as a Jew' (1 Corinthians 9:20). The seven-day Nazirite vow completion involved ritual purification and temple offerings (Numbers 6:13-20). This was not compromise but contextualization—Paul observed ceremonial law to maintain witness among Jewish believers, though he knew such rituals held no saving power.

To signify the accomplishment of the days of purification—The Greek diaggello (announce, declare) indicates Paul formally notified temple authorities of the vow's completion date, when prescribed offerings would be made. This public act showed Paul's respect for Jewish sensibilities despite his doctrine of freedom from the law for salvation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred around AD 57-58 during Paul's final visit to Jerusalem. James and the elders suggested this action to counter rumors that Paul taught Jews in the Diaspora to abandon Moses (Acts 21:21). The purification costs for four men demonstrated Paul's financial support and solidarity with the Jerusalem church.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance theological conviction with cultural sensitivity in your witness to different groups?
  2. What does Paul's participation in Jewish ritual teach about Christian liberty and the limits of contextualization?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
τότε1 of 32

Then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

2 of 32
G3588

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

Παῦλος3 of 32

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

παραλαβὼν4 of 32

took

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

τοὺς5 of 32
G3588

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

ἄνδρας6 of 32

the men

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

τῇ7 of 32
G3588

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

ἐχομένῃ8 of 32

and the next

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἡμερῶν9 of 32

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

σὺν10 of 32

with

G4862

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

αὐτῶν11 of 32

of them

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

ἁγνισθεὶς12 of 32

purifying himself

G48

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

εἰσῄει13 of 32

entered

G1524

to enter

εἰς14 of 32

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ15 of 32
G3588

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

ἱερόν16 of 32

the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

διαγγέλλων17 of 32

to signify

G1229

to herald thoroughly

τὴν18 of 32
G3588

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

ἐκπλήρωσιν19 of 32

the accomplishment

G1604

completion

τῶν20 of 32
G3588

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

ἡμερῶν21 of 32

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

τοῦ22 of 32
G3588

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

ἁγνισμοῦ23 of 32

of purification

G49

a cleansing (the act), i.e., (ceremonially) lustration

ἕως24 of 32

until

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

οὗ25 of 32

that

G3739

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

προσηνέχθη26 of 32

should be offered

G4374

to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat

ὑπὲρ27 of 32

for

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

ἑνὸς28 of 32

one

G1520

one

ἑκάστου29 of 32

every

G1538

each or every

αὐτῶν30 of 32

of them

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

31 of 32
G3588

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

προσφορά32 of 32

an offering

G4376

presentation; concretely, an oblation (bloodless) or sacrifice


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 21:26 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 21:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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