The Journey to Jerusalem: Accompanied by Warnings
Acts 21:1-17
Acts 21:1-17
Acts 21:1-17. In this last phase of the third mission, Paul and his companions travel by sea and land toward Jerusalem, stopping among assemblies at Tyre, Ptolemais, and Caesarea. Along the way, repeated warnings were given through the Spirit that bonds awaited him. Paul interpreted all of these as warnings, missing the Lord’s mind. He was drawn away from the ripe mission field of the West by his natural affection for his earthly brethren. Despite the earnest pleas of the brethren including the prophecy of Agabus, Paul remained resolved to go on, committing the outcome to the Lord’s will, which the brethren ultimately accepted, saying, “The will of the Lord be done”. They arrived in Jerusalem where the brethren received him gladly.
The Voyage (21:1-7)
CHAPTER 21
1 And when, having got away from them, we at last sailed away, we came by a direct course to Cos, and on the morrow to Rhodes, and thence to Patara. 2 And having found a ship passing over into Phoenicia, we went on board and sailed; 3 and having sighted Cyprus, and left it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and made the land at Tyre, for there the ship was to discharge her cargo.
vv.1-3 Coos, Rhodes, and Patara. Paul and his companions departed from the Ephesian elders and sailed directly to Coos, then the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. At Patara they found a ship crossing to Phoenicia and transferred vessels in order to continue toward Syria. Luke records these travel details deliberately, showing that the Spirit of God was concerned with the ordinary movements of the apostle’s life, not only with public ministry or miraculous events. The route also included passing Cyprus on the left before landing in Syria, a detail Luke notes without comment but which would naturally recall earlier gospel labors connected with Paul and Barnabas, some ten years earlier on the first journey.
4 And having found out the disciples, we remained there seven days; who said to Paul by the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. 5 But when we had completed the days, we set out and took our journey, all of them accompanying us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And kneeling down upon the shore we prayed. 6 And having embraced one another, we went on board ship, and they returned home.
vv.4-6 Stop in Tyre, Paul Told Not To Go to Jerusalem. At Tyre, during a stopover to unload the ship’s cargo, Paul and his companions deliberately sought out the disciples and remained with them seven days, a stay that allowed fellowship with the assembly and included the Lord’s Day. During this time, the disciples “said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem”. This was a direct instruction given by the Holy Spirit, warning Paul not to go to Jerusalem. It may be that Paul chose to interpret these communications as warnings of suffering rather than a direct command forbidding the journey; however, he continued despite them.12 The warm affection of the saints at Tyre is emphasized: the whole assembly, including wives and children, accompanied Paul out of the city, where they knelt on the shore and prayed together before parting. This bond between Paul and these brethren, including families, shows a beautiful tenderness amongst early Christians, a sharp contrast to the cold world around.
7 And we, having completed the voyage, arrived from Tyre at Ptolemais, and having saluted the brethren, we remained one day with them.
v.7 Arrival in Ptolemais. Paul and his companions completed the voyage from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais, where they greeted the brethren and stayed one day. This seems to be a brief but deliberate pause for fellowship with the local believers. When a stay was short, Paul’s time with the brethren was valued and intentionally used.
In Caesarea (21:8-14)
8 And leaving on the morrow, we came to Caesarea; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was of the seven, we abode with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
vv.8-9 In Caesarea, in the House of Philip. Leaving Ptolemais, Paul and his company came to Caesarea and lodged with Philip, who is explicitly identified as “the evangelist” and “one of the seven” deacons from Acts 6. The precision of Luke’s description would distinguish this Philip clearly from Philip the apostle. Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. While they possessed prophetic gift, there is no indication that they spoke in the assembly (1 Cor. 14:34-35). Their exercise of gift would have been in a proper sphere. Though these daughters had the ability to prophesy, yet the Lord directed another prophet, a man (vv.10-12) to speak to Paul. This doesn’t mean that the Lord cannot use a female to speak to a male, but she is not to take a place of authority, as Paul wrote in 1 Tim. 2:12, “I permit not a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.” Philip’s four daughters did prophecy, although we do not know if they did so to Paul. In any case, they did not set a precedent for the disorder that is seen Christianity today.
10 And as we stayed there many days, a certain man, by name Agabus, a prophet, came down from Judaea, 11 and coming to us and taking the girdle of Paul, and having bound his own hands and feet, said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, The man whose this girdle is shall the Jews thus bind in Jerusalem, and deliver him up into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
vv.10-12 The Prophecy of Agabus. During their stay in Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea and delivered a symbolic prophecy concerning Paul. Taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own hands and feet and declared by the Holy Spirit that the Jews at Jerusalem would bind the man who owned it and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. This language and style of prophetic delivery is striking similar to that of the Old Testament; perhaps this was suitable to Paul’s mind on returning to Jerusalem. On hearing this, both Paul’s companions (“we”) and the local believers urged him not to go up to Jerusalem, showing that the prophecy was universally understood as a warning.
13 But Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for “I” am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we were silent, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
vv.13-14 Paul’s Response. Paul responded to the appeals of the brethren by stating his readiness not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. His devotion and willingness to suffer are commendable, but he seems to have missed the Lord’s mind. When Paul would not be persuaded, the brethren ceased their appeals and committed the matter to God, saying, “The will of the Lord be done,” recognizing that God was permitting this, although it was different than His expressly revealed path.
Arriving in Jerusalem (21:15-17)
15 And after these days, having got our effects ready, we went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing with them a certain Mnason, a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we were to lodge. 17 And when we arrived at Jerusalem the brethren gladly received us.
vv.15-17 Jerusalem. After these days, Paul and his companions made ready and went up to Jerusalem. Certain disciples from Caesarea accompanied them, bringing them to Mnason, with whom they lodged, described as an early (not merely aged) disciple. He had been in the path of discipleship for a long time! This is a remarkable commendation. Upon arrival, the brethren at Jerusalem received Paul and his company gladly, with the same warm fellowship that marks the family of faith. This would have refreshed Paul’s spirit before the difficulties that would soon follow. Nothing is mentioned of gift that Paul brought with him, the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, which they likely received gladly as it was greatly needed.
- Evidently however the apostle regarded it rather as a note of danger that awaited him than of personal direction which he must obediently follow. His own mind was made up, whatever the danger, whatever the suffering, to go through with it; as the Master had done in matchless perfection for His infinite work at all cost. – W. Kelly. Exposition of Acts.
- The first thing which strikes us at the beginning of this history is that the Holy Ghost tells him not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). This word has evident importance. Paul felt himself bound: there was something in his own mind which impelled him thither, a feeling that forced him in that direction; but the Spirit, in His positive and outward testimony forbade his going. – J.N. Darby. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible.