Acts 19:21 kjv
After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
Acts 19:21 nkjv
When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
Acts 19:21 niv
After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also."
Acts 19:21 esv
Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
Acts 19:21 nlt
Afterward Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem. "And after that," he said, "I must go on to Rome!"
Acts 19 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 13:2 | While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." | Holy Spirit guiding missionary journeys |
| Acts 15:3 | So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria... | Early apostles guided in travel |
| Acts 16:6-7 | ...having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. | Spirit's direct intervention in Paul's itinerary |
| Acts 16:9-10 | And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia standing... Immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia... | Spirit-guided shift to Macedonia |
| Acts 20:16 | For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia... to be in Jerusalem... if possible. | Paul's urgency for Jerusalem journey |
| Acts 20:22-23 | And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit warns me... chains and afflictions. | Spirit-compelled journey to Jerusalem with foreknowledge of suffering |
| Acts 21:4 | And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. | Conflicting warnings by Spirit-led prophets |
| Acts 21:10-12 | ...a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea... he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, āThis is how the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt...ā" Then we pleaded... not to go up to Jerusalem. | Specific prophecy of Paul's imprisonment in Jerusalem |
| Acts 23:11 | The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome." | Divine confirmation for Rome mission post-Jerusalem |
| Rom 1:9-10 | For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel... how unceasingly I make mention of you... that I may now at length come to you. | Paul's long-standing desire to visit Rome |
| Rom 1:11-12 | For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen youāthat is, that we may be mutually encouraged... | Paul's pastoral heart for the Roman church |
| Rom 15:22-24 | This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to visit you as I pass through to Spain... | Paul's delayed plans for Rome and further mission |
| Rom 15:25-26 | At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem with aid for the saints, for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. | Paul's purpose for his current journey to Jerusalem |
| Rom 15:28-29 | When therefore I have accomplished this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. And I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. | Paul's expectation of fruitfulness in Rome |
| 1 Cor 16:1-4 | Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do... so that there may be no collections when I come. | The collection for Jerusalem originating from Paul's plans in Macedonia/Achaia |
| 2 Cor 9:1-2 | Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you... For I know your readiness... which has stirred up most of them. | Readiness of Achaia churches for Jerusalem aid |
| Eph 1:9-10 | making known to us the mystery of his will... as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. | God's overarching plan for global outreach |
| Col 1:6 | ...which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growingāas it also does among you... | Gospel's spread throughout the known world |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." | Divine commission for global evangelism, fulfilled by Paul |
| Mk 8:31 | And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed... | Divine necessity ("dei") of suffering in God's plan |
| Jn 12:32 | And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." | Jesus' mission encompassing all peoples, Paulās ultimate goal for Rome |
| Isa 49:6 | ...I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | Old Testament prophetic background for universal salvation |
| Zech 14:16 | Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths. | Prophetic picture of Gentile inclusion |
| Ps 2:8 | Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. | Global scope of Godās redemptive plan |
| Dan 2:44 | And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed... | Kingdom of God reaching the entire world |
Acts 19 verses
Acts 19 21 Meaning
After the widespread and powerful work of the gospel in Ephesus, Paul made a deliberate decision, under the clear guidance of the Holy Spirit, to journey first through Macedonia and Achaia, then to Jerusalem. His ultimate and divinely compelled objective, which he also spoke aloud, was to preach the gospel in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, after completing his mission in Jerusalem. This verse marks a pivotal strategic shift in Paulās ministry, moving from concentrated regional work to a broad vision encompassing the centers of both Jewish faith and imperial power.
Acts 19 21 Context
Acts chapter 19 describes Paul's significant and successful ministry in Ephesus. It recounts miracles performed through him (19:11-12), the defeat of Jewish exorcists (19:13-17), the repentance and public burning of magic books by many converts (19:18-20), and the general widespread triumph of the word of the Lord. The Ephesian church flourished, and the gospel spread throughout the province of Asia (19:26). Amidst this spiritual victory, a riot instigated by Demetrius, a silversmith whose livelihood depended on idolatry associated with the goddess Artemis (Diana), broke out (19:23-41). Acts 19:21 thus acts as a crucial transition point, showing Paul, the evangelist of the Spirit, already planning the next phases of his mission before the opposition reaches its peak. This strategic planning, directly linked to divine guidance, sets the stage for Paul's final journey to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome, highlighting the Holy Spirit's continuous direction in expanding the early church's outreach. Historically, this places Paul at a high point of ministry success in the Gentile world, but with an underlying awareness of a coming shift in his focus towards Jerusalem, where his role would primarily become one of testimony through suffering, and then towards Rome, the strategic heart of the Empire. The cultural context underscores the clash between pagan idolatry, represented by the thriving cult of Artemis in Ephesus, and the exclusive claims of Christ, setting a stage for the expansion of Christianity even into the stronghold of imperial power.
Acts 19 21 Word analysis
- Now after these things were ended: Marks a chronological and programmatic transition following Paul's effective, powerful, and successful ministry in Ephesus, as recounted in Acts 19:1-20. It indicates a natural culmination of one phase before moving to the next.
- Paul purposed (į¼ĪøĪµĻĪæ - etheto): From ĻĪÆĪøĪ·Ī¼Ī¹ (tithÄmi), meaning "to put, place, set," implying a firm and deliberate decision. It reflects a resolved plan on Paul's part, not a casual thought, but a fixed intention.
- in the spirit (Ļįæ· ĻĪ½ĪµĻĪ¼Ī±ĻĪ¹ - tÅ pneumati): This is a crucial interpretive phrase. The dative case allows for several understandings, but given the pervasive theme of the Holy Spirit's guidance in Acts (e.g., Acts 13:2, 16:6-7), the most fitting interpretation is that Paul's plan was conceived "by the Holy Spirit" or "in his (Paul's) spirit as directed by the Holy Spirit." Scholars widely conclude Luke is pointing to divine instigation for this significant itinerary change. It underscores that Paul's strategic decisions were not merely human calculations but Spirit-empowered direction.
- when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia: Specifies his immediate itinerary. These regions were part of his well-established third missionary journey, where he collected contributions for the Jerusalem church (Rom 15:25-26, 1 Cor 16:1-4, 2 Cor 9:1-2). This phase was an important part of his mission.
- to go to Jerusalem: His next major destination, significant for connecting with the Jewish Christian leadership, delivering the collection, and fulfilling his commitment to the Jewish people and the apostles there. This was not merely a sentimental journey but a Spirit-directed return to the epicenter of the early church's Jewish roots.
- saying: Indicates Paul vocalized this intention, making his plan known to those around him.
- After I have been there, I must also see Rome: This reveals the ultimate scope of his mission.
- I must (Ī“Īµįæ - dei): Implies a divine necessity or compelling obligation, not merely a personal desire or preference. The Greek word often refers to what must happen as part of God's will (e.g., Jesus must suffer ā Mk 8:31; disciples must preach the gospel ā Lk 24:44-47). This strengthens the "in the spirit" aspect, showing God's overarching plan for Paul.
- also see Rome: The capital of the Roman Empire, a strategic goal for the gospel's expansion (Rom 1:13-15). Seeing Rome meant reaching its populace with the gospel and potentially using it as a launchpad for further Western missions (e.g., Spain, Rom 15:24, 28).
Words-group analysis:
- Paul purposed in the spirit: Highlights the blending of human intention and divine prompting, characteristic of Luke's portrayal of effective ministry in Acts. Paul is an agent, but ultimately God's Spirit is the primary mover behind the expansion of the gospel.
- Macedonia and Achaia...to Jerusalem...I must also see Rome: This sequence maps out a strategic, multi-stage mission that will take Paul from successful evangelism, through sensitive ecclesiastical work in Jerusalem, to the heart of the Gentile world's political and cultural power, driven by a divinely imposed "must." This is not an optional travel plan but an unfolding of God's will for the spread of His Kingdom to "the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
Acts 19 21 Bonus section
Paulās aspiration to visit Rome was a long-standing desire, as evidenced by his letter to the Romans (Rom 1:9-13, 15:23-29), written around the same time. The divine imperative ("dei") here clarifies that this was more than a personal wish; it was part of Godās plan for the gospelās universal spread. While Paul had successfully preached in key cities, moving to Rome signified a grander vision to impact the imperial center. This statement implicitly refutes any idea of localized Christian influence, instead embracing the vision of global penetration for the gospel, which Acts 1:8 foreshadowed ("to the end of the earth"). It is an example of a dedicated missionary's life, constantly looking for new horizons and seeking to fulfill God's larger purpose, even if it entails suffering, as the subsequent narrative reveals.
Acts 19 21 Commentary
Acts 19:21 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating Paulās strategic vision under divine impetus following his most successful and impactful mission field in Ephesus. His "purposed in the spirit" is paramount, illustrating that Paul's decisions were not just logistical planning but deeply spiritual, aligned with the Holy Spirit's direction, consistent with the book of Acts' emphasis on Spirit-led mission. This move signals a transition from consolidating work in Asia to expanding the gospel to major political and religious centers. His journey to Jerusalem, though perilous and leading to his eventual arrest, was divinely affirmed and necessary for the solidarity between Jewish and Gentile believers, underscored by the collection from Macedonia and Achaia. The declaration "I must also see Rome" reveals the prophetic trajectory of his apostolic ministry ā a divine imperative to bring the gospel to the imperial capital, the strategic center of the known world, as prophesied by the Lord later in Acts 23:11. This verse demonstrates Paulās proactive, strategic, and Spirit-guided commitment to global evangelism, showing that the Christian mission advances through deliberate human effort empowered by divine will. It lays the groundwork for the ensuing narrative of Paul's trials, travels, and ultimate arrival in Rome, not as a tourist but as a prisoner and powerful witness for Christ.