Acts 21:15–26

Verse 18. To James, the bishop of Jerusalem, where all the seniors, that is, the bishops and priests, had assembled. Witham.

Verse 20. How many thousands. In the Greek, how many ten thousands. Witham.

Verse 21. To forsake Moses. In the Greek, to depart or apostatize from Moses and the law. This is more than was true. For Saint Paul circumcised Timothy, (chapter 16) and did not absolutely hinder converts who had been Jews, from practising the Jewish ceremonies. Witham.—There is a manifest falsity in this accusation against Saint Paul. He had never commanded or advised the Jews, to whom he had preached, to renounce the law, abandon the ceremonies of Moses, or reject the ancient customs of the nation. He had never hindered any one from following in this respect the bias of his inclinations. He had indeed defended the liberty of the converts from these ceremonies; he had taught that Christ had taken away the necessity of this yoke; but he left them at liberty still to carry it if they pleased. Calmet.—For these things were not then to be sought after as necessary, nor yet to be condemned as sacrilegious. The law of Moses at that time was dead, but not deadly. Saint Augustine ep. lxxxii.—These considerations will sufficiently explain the apostle’s motive for submitting on this occasion to one of their ceremonies. He became all to all, that he might gain all to Christ. A.

Verse 23. Who have a vow upon them. On which account they will have sacrifices offered for them in the temple. Witham.

Verse 24. Bestow on them. It was thought a merit among the Jews to bear the expenses of any vow which another had made. They thus became partakers of it; in the same manner as at present those, who have not the courage to forsake the world by solemn vows, seek to have some share in the merits of those who do forsake it, by contributing part of their substance to their support. Calmet.