Acts 21:24

24 Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay for them to get their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that what they were told about you amounts to nothing, but that you yourself are also careful about observing the law.

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 So what is to be done? They will certainly hear that you've come.

23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have obligated themselves with a vow.

24 Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay for them to get their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that what they were told about you amounts to nothing, but that you yourself are also careful about observing the law.

25 With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality."

26 Then the next day, Paul took the men, having purified himself along with them, and entered the temple, announcing the completion of the purification days when the offering for each of them would be made.