Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. – Acts 21:26

Is Paul a hypocrite? He arrives in Jerusalem and the Jewish Christians confront him about his teachings then instruct him to go thru purification rituals. V 24 is most problematic to me: thus all will know there is nothing in what they have been told… You yourself observe …the law

What?
I do not understand why at this point he doesn’t clarify his message. The Jewish Christians are insisting on the law, and Paul misses this chance to correct them. And he goes thru with the purification ritual and a *sacrifice * that is made for him v26

Shouldn’t he be saying that the sacrifice is finished?

Maybe the next day he’s kicking himself realizing he missed a primo chance to present the gospel?

Maybe this is descriptive, not prescriptive, as pastor sometimes says. But man. Paul. This is not the Paul I know