Acts 21:36

“For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.”

This verse is part of the narrative in the book of Acts, which describes the events surrounding the apostle Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem. In this particular verse, we see a tumultuous scene where a multitude of people is following after Paul, crying out for him to be removed or taken away.

To fully understand the context of Acts 21:36, let’s explore the surrounding verses as well. In Acts 21:27-32, we learn that Paul had arrived in Jerusalem and visited the temple. While he was there, some Jews from Asia recognized him and stirred up the crowd against him, falsely accusing him of teaching against the law and the temple. As a result, a riot ensued, and the whole city was in an uproar. The Roman authorities intervened to quell the disturbance and arrested Paul. However, before being taken into custody, Paul requested permission to address the crowd, hoping to share his testimony and defend himself.

In Acts 21:33-36, Paul is granted permission to speak, and as he begins to address the crowd, he speaks in the Hebrew language, which captures their attention. However, the mention of his work among the Gentiles triggers a negative response from the Jewish crowd. They were fiercely committed to their traditions and found it difficult to accept that the Gospel was meant for all people, not just the Jews. This leads to the verse in question, Acts 21:36, where we read that the multitude of people followed after Paul, crying out, “Away with him.”

The phrase “Away with him” expresses their strong rejection and desire to remove Paul from their midst. They were vehemently opposed to his teachings and considered him a threat to their religious customs and way of life. This incident highlights the opposition Paul faced throughout his ministry, particularly from those who held a strict adherence to Jewish customs and laws.

Despite the hostility and threats against him, Paul remained steadfast in his mission to spread the Gospel and testify about Jesus Christ. As we continue reading through the book of Acts, we see that Paul’s arrest and subsequent trials eventually lead to his journey to Rome, where he would have the opportunity to share the Gospel before the Roman authorities. This demonstrates God’s sovereignty and how He can work through challenging circumstances to fulfill His purposes.

In summary, Acts 21:36 portrays the intense opposition Paul faced in Jerusalem, where a multitude of people cried out for him to be removed. This incident highlights the challenges faced by early Christians and reminds us of the dedication and perseverance required to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ, even in the face of opposition.