Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 21:17

"And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly." — Acts 21:17 (ASV)

With these two verses, the third “we” section of Acts concludes, though Luke may have remained in Palestine for a longer time than vv.17–18 imply. Paul is now the focus of the narrative—particularly in his discussion with the leaders of the Jerusalem church, his arrest in the temple precincts, and his five speeches of defense at Jerusalem and Caesarea—and so Luke speaks only of him.

It was probably at Mnason’s house that the believers gathered to receive Paul and his party “warmly.” Then on the next day, as Luke says, they called on James, the resident leader of the Jerusalem church (cf. comments on 12:17; 15:13). Sharing with him in the administration of the church was a body of elders, who were also there to meet Paul and his colleagues.