Acts 20:23 kjv
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
Acts 20:23 nkjv
except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
Acts 20:23 niv
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
Acts 20:23 esv
except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
Acts 20:23 nlt
except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.
Acts 20 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 9:16 | “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” | Prophecy of suffering for Paul's calling |
| Acts 14:22 | “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” | General principle of trials for believers |
| Acts 21:10-14 | Agabus... took Paul’s belt... bound his own feet and hands, saying, “Thus says the Holy Spirit... the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man...” | Specific prophecy fulfilling Acts 20:23 |
| 2 Cor 11:23-28 | ...in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent... besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. | Paul's personal catalogue of sufferings |
| Rom 8:16 | The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God... | Spirit's internal testimony to believers |
| John 15:26 | “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” | Holy Spirit as witness |
| John 16:13 | “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth...” | Spirit guiding believers |
| 1 Cor 2:10 | But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. | Spirit revealing God's truth |
| Matt 5:10-12 | “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake... Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven...” | Blessings in persecution |
| John 15:20 | “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...” | Expectation of persecution for disciples |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. | Persecution as a general truth for the godly |
| Phil 1:29 | For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake... | Suffering as a divine gift |
| Col 1:24 | I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church... | Paul's redemptive suffering for the church |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. | God's purpose in all circumstances |
| 1 Pet 4:12-16 | Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial... but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings... | Response to fiery trials |
| Jas 1:2-4 | My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials... knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. | Perspective on trials for spiritual growth |
| Acts 20:24 | But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy... | Paul's resolute response to foretold suffering |
| 2 Tim 2:9 | for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains... | Paul's chains for the Gospel |
| Heb 12:3 | Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. | Endurance through considering Christ's suffering |
| Acts 28:17 | And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together... "I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans..." | Fulfillment of the imprisonment prophecy |
Acts 20 verses
Acts 20 23 Meaning
Acts 20:23 reveals Paul's unwavering commitment to his divine calling, even as he articulates a profound awareness of the personal cost involved. The verse highlights the direct, continuous, and consistent revelation given to him by the Holy Spirit concerning the severe trials—imprisonment and afflictions—that lay ahead. It signifies that suffering for the Gospel is not an unexpected byproduct, but often an appointed part of God's plan, communicated beforehand to strengthen and prepare His servants.
Acts 20 23 Context
Acts 20:23 is spoken by Paul during his heartfelt farewell address to the elders of the church in Ephesus, whom he had summoned to Miletus. This profound speech, given near the end of his third missionary journey, serves as his last direct message to them, reflecting on his diligent ministry among them and preparing them for challenges ahead. Just before this verse, Paul asserts his freedom from guilt and his conviction that he has preached the full counsel of God. His journey to Jerusalem, despite knowing of the impending hardships revealed by the Holy Spirit, underscores his resolve and commitment to fulfilling God's will above personal safety. This foresight of suffering explains the urgency and poignant tone of his address, setting the stage for the rest of his journey as documented in Acts, leading eventually to his imprisonment in Rome.
Acts 20 23 Word analysis
- except that (πλὴν - plēn): This conjunction signifies a crucial exception or an emphatic "but," pointing to a definitive, overriding reality. It introduces the precise limitation or condition, in this case, the certainty of future events revealed by the Holy Spirit, which stands apart from any other considerations.
- the Holy Spirit (τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον - to Pneuma to Hagion): Refers to the Third Person of the Godhead, the divine source of revelation, power, and guidance. This highlights that the message of impending suffering was not Paul's personal premonition or human calculation but a direct, authoritative communication from God Himself.
- testifies (διαμαρτύρεται - diamartyretai): This word means "to testify thoroughly," "to earnestly declare," or "to solemnly warn." It's a strong term indicating a formal, insistent, and weighty declaration, often in a legal or binding sense. The present tense verb "testifies" further indicates that this was not a singular event but an ongoing, repeated witness that Paul experienced in different locations.
- to me (μοι - moi): The dative pronoun emphasizes the personal and direct nature of the Holy Spirit's communication specifically to Paul, indicating an intimate prophetic guidance.
- in every city (κατὰ πόλιν - kata polin): Literally "according to city," implying a persistent, consistent, and reiterated warning from the Holy Spirit wherever Paul ministered or travelled. This continuous nature of the testimony authenticated the message and underscored its undeniable certainty, reinforcing Paul's resolve despite the bleak future.
- that imprisonment (δεσμὰ - desma): Refers to literal "bonds," "chains," or "imprisonment"—physical confinement. This was a common outcome for those who spread the Gospel in the Roman world, particularly in territories with hostile religious or political authorities.
- and afflictions (θλίψεις - thlipseis): This Greek term broadly refers to "tribulations," "distresses," "pressures," or "sufferings." It encompasses a wider range of hardships beyond mere physical incarceration, including emotional anguish, persecution, and intense opposition.
- await me (μένουσιν - menousin): This verb means "to remain," "to wait for," or "to be destined for." The plural form emphasizes that these challenges were numerous. Its use signifies a certainty—not a possibility, but a definite, unavoidable future that was already determined and standing ready for Paul.
- "except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me": This phrase underlines divine revelation as the absolute source of Paul's knowledge. His foresight isn't based on human intuition but on God's active, personal communication. It stresses the active, illuminating role of the Spirit in the life and ministry of believers.
- "in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me": This combination highlights the pervasive nature of suffering in Paul's apostolic journey. The phrase "in every city" reinforces the relentless and consistent divine warnings, preparing Paul mentally and spiritually for the inevitable hardships, confirming that such trials are often an integral part of faithful obedience to Christ's calling.
Acts 20 23 Bonus section
The constant nature of the Holy Spirit's warning to Paul in "every city" underscores that God's communication was thorough and undeniable, not a one-time obscure hint. This repeated affirmation prepared Paul mentally and spiritually for the significant challenges that lay ahead, forging in him an unbreakable resolve as detailed in the subsequent verse (Acts 20:24). This foreknowledge served to authenticate his mission and demonstrate the precise guidance of the Spirit to Paul and, by extension, to the nascent Christian community, showing that trials are often part of God's appointed path for His faithful.
Acts 20 23 Commentary
Acts 20:23 provides a profound glimpse into Paul's Spirit-led foresight and resolute commitment. The Holy Spirit's repeated and emphatic testimony in every city about his impending imprisonment and afflictions was not given to deter him, but to prepare and affirm his mission. It underscores that God often reveals difficulties not to dissuade, but to strengthen and demonstrate His sovereign purpose in His servants' lives. This verse illuminates the nature of prophetic revelation, the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and equipping believers, and the truth that following Christ often entails significant suffering, which a prepared heart can embrace for the Gospel's sake.