Acts 21:24

24 Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.

Acts 21:24 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 21:24

Them take, and purify, thyself with them
That is, join thyself to them, make one of their number, and attend to the rules prescribed to a Nazarite, who is to be holy to the Lord; and in case of any ceremonial uncleanness, is to be cleansed, or purified in the manner directed, ( Numbers 6:5 Numbers 6:8 Numbers 6:9 ) .

And be at charges with them;
join with them in the expense, for the offerings to be made at the end of the vows, or when the days of separation are fulfilled, ( Numbers 6:13-15 ) .

That they may shave their heads;
according to the law in ( Numbers 6:18 ) . This was done in (Myryznh tkvl) , the chamber of the Nazarites ^F18; for there the Nazarites boiled their peace offerings, and shaved their hair, and put it under the pot, in the fire that was under it: Maimonides says ^F19,

``if he shaved in the city it was excusable; but whether he shaved in the city or in the sanctuary, under the pot his hair must be cast; and he did not shave until the door of the court was opened, as it is said, "at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation", ( Numbers 6:18 ) not that he shaved over against the door, for that would be a contempt of the sanctuary.''

Moreover, it may be observed, that a person who had not made a vow, or fulfilled a Nazariteship himself, which was the apostle's case, yet he might join in bearing the expenses of others, at the time of their shaving and cleansing: for so run the Jewish canons ^F20;

``he that says, upon me be the shaving of a Nazarite, he is bound to bring the offerings of shaving for purification, and he may offer them by the hand of what Nazarite he pleases; he that says, upon me be half the offerings of a Nazarite, or if he says, upon me be half the shaving of a Nazarite, he brings half the offerings by what Nazarite he will, and that Nazarite perfects his offerings out of that which is his.''

That all may know that those things whereof they were informed
concerning thee are nothing;
that there is no truth in them; that they are mere lies and calumnies; as they will easily judge by this single instance, in complying with the law concerning a Nazarite's vow:

but that thou thyself walkest orderly, and keepest the law;
and therefore can never be thought to teach others to walk disorderly, or to neglect the law, the rites and customs of it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 16. 1.
F19 Hilchot Nezirut, c. 8. sect. 3.
F20 Hilchot Nezirut, c. 8. sect. 18.

Acts 21:24 In-Context

22 What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.

23 “Here’s what we want you to do. We have four men here who have completed their vow.

24 Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.

25 “As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

26 So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them.