The Meaning of Acts 21:23 Explained

Acts 21:23

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

YLT: 'This, therefore, do that we say to thee: We have four men having a vow on themselves,

Darby: This do therefore that we say to thee: We have four men who have a vow on them;

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

Discover Acts 21:23

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Acts 21:23?

MEANING: What does Acts 21:23 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Acts 21:23 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Acts 21:23?

What is the context of Acts 21:23?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Acts 21:23 Mean?

Study Notes

vow
Probably according to Numbers 6:1-7 . Cf. Colossians 2:14-17 .

Context Summary

Acts 21:15-26 - Binding Together The Church

Mnason was an early disciple. He could remember the first days of the Church's story. It was good for Paul to have the society and care of this good man during those last troublous days. Notwithstanding all the efforts of the Judaizing elements in the Church, the splendid labors of the Apostle were estimated at their true worth, and he was gladly welcomed by the brethren at Jerusalem. Note how careful he was to attribute all to God. Paul was only the instrument through whom the Almighty wrought for the glory of Jesus, Acts 21:19.

The action here described, which was strongly recommended by the leaders of the Church, seems at variance with what Paul so clearly states in his Epistle to the Galatians, Galatians 2:3-5; and perhaps it would have been a wiser and stronger policy for him to have remained in quiet obscurity till the feast was over. But we must remember the deep coloring which the proximity of the Temple gave to church life at Jerusalem, and Paul was willing to be guided by men like James, in whose judgment he had full confidence. In addition, he was always willing to yield in cases which did not concern principle. He acquiesced in such matters for the sake of charity, so that he gladly became as a Jew to Jews, that he might save the Jews, 1 Corinthians 9:20. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 21

¹ Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy
¹⁰ Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem,
¹³ he will not be dissuaded from going thither
¹⁷ He comes to Jerusalem;
²⁷ where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;
³⁷ and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people

Greek Commentary for Acts 21:23

Do therefore this [τουτο ουν ποιησον]
The elders had thought out a plan of procedure by which Paul could set the whole matter straight. [source]

We have [εισιν ημιν]
“There are to us” (dative of possession as in Acts 18:10). Apparently members of the Jerusalem church. Which have a vow on them (ευχην εχοντες απ euchēn echontes aph' -- or επ εαυτων eph' heautōn). Apparently a temporary Nazarite vow like that in Numbers 6:1-21 and its completion was marked by several offerings in the temple, the shaving of the head (Numbers 6:13-15). Either Paul or Aquila had such a vow on leaving Cenchreae (Acts 18:18). “It was considered a work of piety to relieve needy Jews from the expenses connected with this vow, as Paul does here” (Page). The reading απ εαυτων aph' heautōn would mean that they had taken the vow voluntarily or of themselves (Luke 12:57; 2 Corinthians 3:5), while επ εαυτων eph' heautōn means that the vow lies on them still. [source]

Which have a vow on them [ευχην εχοντες απ]
Apparently a temporary Nazarite vow like that in Numbers 6:1-21 and its completion was marked by several offerings in the temple, the shaving of the head (Numbers 6:13-15). Either Paul or Aquila had such a vow on leaving Cenchreae (Acts 18:18). “It was considered a work of piety to relieve needy Jews from the expenses connected with this vow, as Paul does here” (Page). The reading απ εαυτων aph' heautōn would mean that they had taken the vow voluntarily or of themselves (Luke 12:57; 2 Corinthians 3:5), while επ εαυτων eph' heautōn means that the vow lies on them still. [source]

A vow []
The Nazarite vow. See Numbers 6:1-21. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 21:23 mean?

This therefore do you what to you we say There are with us men four a vow having on themselves

Τοῦτο οὖν ποίησον ὅ σοι λέγομεν εἰσὶν ἡμῖν ἄνδρες τέσσαρες εὐχὴν ἔχοντες ἐφ’ ἑαυτῶν

Τοῦτο	This
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: οὗτος Sense: this.
ποίησον	do you
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular Root: ποιέω Sense: to make.
σοι	to you
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Singular Root: σύ Sense: you.
λέγομεν	we say
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak.
εἰσὶν	There are
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἡμῖν	with us
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Plural Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my.
ἄνδρες	men
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: ἀνήρ Sense: with reference to sex.
τέσσαρες	four
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: τέσσαρες Sense: four.
εὐχὴν	a vow
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: εὐχή Sense: a prayer to God.
ἑαυτῶν	themselves
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Root: ἑαυτοῦ Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.

What are the major concepts related to Acts 21:23?

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Similar Scriptures for Acts 21:23

		Acts 18:18 [6]
		Numbers 6:2-7 [2]