15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. 16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. 17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: (Acts 21:15-20 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
The apostle having boldly resolved that, come life or death, he would be obedient to the call of God by his Spirit and that nothing should divert him from his intended journey to Jerusalem, he sits forward from Cesarea to Jerusalem, accompanied by certain disciples of Cesarea, who brought him to the house of one Mnason, described as an old disciple; to be an old man is an honour, but to be an old disciple is a double honour: it has a resemblance of him who is the Ancient of Days. Where antiquity and piety, where agedness and holiness, do concur, it renders a person as like the Divine Majesty as can be expected on this side glory. To be an old disciple is a greater honour than to be a king or emperor.
Observe next, the apostle having come to Jerusalem is kindly received by the church there: he enters the house of St. James, the Bishop of Jerusalem, where the elders that were present congratulate his arrival, and he relates to them what great things God had wrought by his ministry, and they all gave praise to God for the great and glorious success of the gospel.
Learn hence, That all Christians in general, but the ministers of Christ, especially, ought to make a particular declaration of the great and marvellous works which the Lord hath wrought for them, and by them. Thus did St. Paul here; he was very particular, no doubt, in relating the mighty works of God in the conversion of the Gentiles by his ministry from time to time and from place to place; he said all this, not to extol himself, but to exalt God for receiving the Gentiles into the faith and fellowship of the gospel.