Acts 21:36 – “The crowd that followed kept shouting, ‘Get rid of him!’”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse captures the fury of the crowd as Paul is being carried away by the Roman soldiers. Even after they had violently attacked him (Acts 21:35), their anger had not cooled. Instead, they continued following him, yelling for his removal—likely demanding his death.

The words “Get rid of him!” echo the same mob mentality that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. When Jesus was on trial before Pilate, the people shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Luke 23:21). Now, Paul was facing the same rejection from his own people, simply for preaching the truth of Jesus Christ.

Even though this moment is filled with hatred and danger, it is not the end of Paul’s story. God was still in control, and He would use this moment to bring Paul before rulers, kings, and even the emperor of Rome (Acts 23:11).

Historical Context

At this time, Jerusalem was under Roman rule, and public order was a serious issue. The Antonia Fortress, where Paul was being taken, was right next to the temple. Roman soldiers were stationed there to prevent riots and maintain control.

This was not the first time the Jewish people had turned into a violent mob:

• They had shouted for Jesus’ death before Pilate (Luke 23:20-21).
• They had violently stoned Stephen for preaching about Christ (Acts 7:57-60).
• They had rioted against Paul in other cities, such as Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41).

The phrase “Get rid of him!” was not just a demand for Paul’s imprisonment—it likely meant they wanted him dead. They saw him as a traitor, someone who had abandoned their traditions and was spreading a message they refused to accept.

Theological Implications

This verse reveals several key spiritual truths:

1. Standing for Christ often means facing rejection.
   • Just as Jesus was hated, His followers will also be hated (John 15:18-20).
   • Paul was not in trouble for doing evil—he was in trouble for preaching the truth.
2. Religious zeal can be dangerous when it is not grounded in truth.
   • The Jewish crowd thought they were defending God, but they were actually rejecting His messenger.
   • Many people today are so committed to traditions or opinions that they miss the truth of God’s Word.
3. God’s plan moves forward, even when people resist it.
   • The crowd’s hatred did not stop God’s plan for Paul.
   • Even though Paul was suffering, he was exactly where God wanted him to be.

This verse is a reminder that following Christ is not about popularity—it is about faithfulness.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, uses simple but powerful words to describe the hostility of the crowd:

• “The crowd that followed” – They were not satisfied with Paul’s arrest; they wanted more.
• “Kept shouting” – Their rage was ongoing and persistent.
• “Get rid of him!” – These words show their complete rejection of Paul.

This moment mirrors other violent mob scenes in the Bible:

• Luke 23:21 – The crowd shouts for Jesus’ crucifixion.
• Acts 7:57-58 – The mob rushes at Stephen and stones him.
• Acts 19:32 – A confused mob in Ephesus shouts in anger against Paul.

Luke’s storytelling highlights how people are easily influenced by emotions and group pressure, rather than truth.

Biblical Cross-References

• John 15:18-20 – Jesus said His followers would be hated by the world.
• Luke 23:21 – The crowd shouted for Jesus to be crucified.
• Acts 7:57-60 – Stephen was stoned by an angry mob.
• Acts 19:32 – A confused mob shouted for hours, not knowing why they were angry.
• Romans 8:28 – Even when things seem out of control, God is still working for good.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Expect opposition when you stand for Christ.
   • Paul was hated not because he was doing wrong, but because he spoke the truth.
   • If you live for Christ, some people will reject you—but God is still with you.
2. Do not be influenced by the crowd.
   • The mob in this passage was acting on emotion, not truth.
   • Today, many people follow popular opinion instead of biblical truth.
3. Trust God, even when people reject you.
   • Paul’s story did not end in Jerusalem—God still had plans for him.
   • When life is difficult, remember: God is still leading you forward.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Even in this moment of hatred and rejection, God’s love was still present:

• God protected Paul from being murdered by the mob.
• God’s love is greater than human rejection. Even when people turn against us, God never leaves us (Hebrews 13:5).
• God’s plan was still moving forward—Paul would soon testify before rulers and kings.

God’s love does not mean we will never suffer—but it does mean that He will always be with us through suffering.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Paul’s experience mirrors the rejection of Jesus:

• Both were falsely accused.
• Both were surrounded by an angry mob.
• Both heard the crowd shouting for their removal.

But while Paul was rescued, Jesus was not—He willingly gave His life for us (John 10:18). Paul was suffering for Christ, but Christ had already suffered for him first.

Because Jesus endured rejection, we can have the strength to endure it too (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever felt rejected for your faith? How did you handle it?
2. Why do you think people so often follow the crowd instead of seeking the truth?
3. How can we stand firm in our faith, even when others oppose us?
4. What does Paul’s example teach us about trusting God in difficult times?
5. How does Jesus’ rejection encourage us when we face rejection ourselves?

Acts 21:36 is a powerful reminder that standing for Jesus will not always be easy, but it is always worth it. Even when the world rejects us, God’s plan is still moving forward, and His love never fails. Like Paul, we are called to stand firm, trust in God, and keep sharing the gospel—no matter the cost.