Mnason

Mnason of Cyprus

ACTS 21 COMMENTARY ◄
Acts 21:10-14 Agabus

Acts 21:15-22 Mnason

Acts 21:23-25 Nazarite Vow

ACTS 21:15-16 15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

Who is "Mnason" (Acts 21:16)?
Mnason was from "Cyprus" and "an early disciple" (Acts 21:16), which means he could have been someone who had seen or met Jesus before His ascension.

Why did Mnason go to Jerusalem with Paul and his companions?
They "were to lodge" (Acts 21:16) with Mnason. Journeying from Caesarea to Jerusalem, which is some 65 miles (105 kilometers) inland, would have taken three days on foot, so it is possible that Mnason's house was en route but more likely that it was in Jerusalem.

Who accompanied Paul's entourage and Mnason?
Some "disciples from Caesarea" (Acts 21:15).

Why?
After hearing Agabus' prophecy about the danger that awaited Paul, they may have wished to try to protect him.

ACTS 21:17-18 17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

Who received them in Jerusalem?
"The brethren" (Acts 21:17), "James" (Acts 21:18), "and all the elders" (Acts 21:18) of the Jerusalem church.

Where are Peter and the other apostles?
Paul wasn't the only one running around the world for Jesus. By this time, all of the remaining apostles had left Jerusalem to spread the Gospel, as Jesus had commanded: "... You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Where will we learn about their missionary journeys?
In heaven.

ACTS 21:19-20 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.

Who did James and all the elders of the Jerusalem church praise after hearing about Paul's "ministry" (Acts 21:19)?
"They glorified the Lord" (Acts 21:20).

Why couldn't they doubt Paul's account?
Eight representatives from the major churches that God had planted outside Israel using Paul had come with him, carrying with them financial gifts that expressed their love and care for their suffering Christian siblings in Jerusalem.

Who do the elders of the Jerusalem church then mention?
The "myriads of" Jewish believers in Jerusalem who apparently were still "zealous for the law" (Acts 21:20).

ACTS 21:21-22 21 “But they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.

What issue do the elders of Jerusalem table before Paul?
The Jewish believers had been told that Paul was telling Jews abroad to disrespect Jewish customs, including circumcision: "But they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs" (Acts 21:21).

Is this true?
Paul had been telling the Jews that their customs, including circumcision, isn't what saves them; only true faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah who died to pay the death penalty for their sins saves them. Paul never told Jews to stop circumcising their children or to do away with Jewish customs - to stop being Jews. In fact, he personally had circumcised one of the eight men who were accompanying him: Timothy, who wasn't even 100% Jewish (see Acts 16).

What will the elders do?
Gather the Jewish Christians - "the assembly must certainly meet" (Acts 21:22) - so that Paul can personally dispel the false rumors.