Acts 21:23

23 Therefore do this that we tell you: {we have} four men who have [taken] a vow upon themselves.

Acts 21:23 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 21:23

Do therefore this that we say to thee
This is said not as commanding, but as advising; and not to what was a duty, and necessary to be done as such, but as a point of prudence:

we have four men which have a vow on them;
that is, there were four men who were of the church at Jerusalem, believers in Christ, but weak ones, who were zealous of the law, and bigots to it, and who had voluntarily vowed a vow of the Nazarites; see ( Numbers 6:2 ) .

Acts 21:23 In-Context

21 And they have been informed about you that you are teaching all the Jews [who are] among the Gentiles [the] abandonment of Moses, telling them not to circumcise [their] children or to live according to [our] customs.

22 What then {is to be done}? Doubtless they will all hear that you have come!

23 Therefore do this that we tell you: {we have} four men who have [taken] a vow upon themselves.

24 Take these [men] [and] purify yourself along with them and {pay their expenses} so that they can shave [their] heads, and everyone will know that [the things] which they had been informed about you are nothing, but you yourself also agree with observing the law.

25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter [after] deciding they should avoid food sacrificed to idols and blood and [what has been] strangled and sexual immorality."

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "there are to us"
• [b]. Some manuscripts have "on themselves"