Acts 21 12

Acts 21:12 kjv

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:12 nkjv

Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:12 niv

When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:12 esv

When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:12 nlt

When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 12 Meaning

Acts 21:12 describes the collective emotional reaction of the believers in Caesarea and Paul's traveling companions to Agabus's prophetic warning. Having heard that Paul would be bound and handed over to Gentiles in Jerusalem, they all, out of deep love and concern, earnestly pleaded with him not to continue his journey to the city, seeking to avert the predicted suffering.

Acts 21 12 Context

Acts chapter 21 marks a pivotal moment in Paul's third missionary journey, as he consciously heads towards Jerusalem despite numerous warnings. Prior to this verse, Paul expressed his deep spiritual conviction to return to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22), sensing a divine compulsion even as the Holy Spirit consistently affirmed that "bonds and afflictions" awaited him there (Acts 20:23). Along the way, disciples at Tyre, "through the Spirit," also advised Paul not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). Paul and his companions then arrived in Caesarea, staying in the house of Philip the evangelist. Here, a prophet named Agabus arrived and dramatically performed a symbolic action: taking Paul's belt, binding his own hands and feet, and declaring, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles'" (Acts 21:10-11). Historically, Jerusalem was a focal point of intense religious and political tensions. Paul, known for his mission to the Gentiles, faced strong opposition from conservative Jewish factions who viewed him as an apostate and a defiler of Jewish law and customs. The cultural context demonstrates the deep communal bonds among early Christians, prompting a visceral, protective reaction to the clear prophetic warning against their beloved leader.

Acts 21 12 Word analysis

• "When we heard this" (καὶ ὡς ἠκούσαμεν ταῦτα - kai hos ēkousamen tauta):
  • "When" (kai hos): This conjunction emphasizes the immediate reaction to Agabus's specific and vivid prophecy. It sets the scene for a pivotal moment.
  • "we heard" (ēkousamen): Denotes firsthand reception of Agabus's solemn and dramatic message. Luke, as the narrator, is included, confirming the veracity and impact of the prophecy.
  • "this" (tauta): Refers directly and explicitly to the contents of Agabus's prophecy (vv. 10-11), underscoring its clarity and gravity regarding Paul's impending suffering.
• "we and the people there" (ἡμεῖς τε καὶ οἱ ἐντόπιοι - hēmeis te kai hoi entopioi):
  • "we" (hēmeis): Denotes Paul's traveling companions, including Luke himself. This highlights a close-knit group united in concern.
  • "and the people there" (kai hoi entopioi): Refers to the local believers in Caesarea. The inclusion of the local congregation shows the widespread alarm and communal outpouring of concern for Paul.
• "urged him" (παρεκαλοῦμεν αὐτὸν - parekaloumen auton):
  • "urged" (parekaloumen, imperfect indicative of parakaleō): This verb means "to entreat, implore, exhort, or comfort." In this context, it signifies an intense, earnest, and continuous plea, reflecting their deep emotional distress and fervent desire to protect Paul. It goes beyond mere suggestion, conveying a strong, heartfelt persuasion.
  • "him" (auton): Clearly identifies Paul as the recipient of this urgent entreaty.
• "not to go up" (τοῦ μὴ ἀναβαίνειν - tou mē anabainein):
  • "not to" (tou mē): This strong negative participle signifies a direct plea for him to refrain from the action, expressing their profound desire for him to halt his journey.
  • "go up" (anabainein): This verb specifically describes the act of ascending. It is the customary term used for journeys to Jerusalem, as the city is geographically higher than many surrounding regions, especially Caesarea. It also metaphorically suggests going up to a place of religious significance, here foreboding.
• "to Jerusalem" (εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα - eis Hierosolyma):
  • The specific, central destination of Paul's intended journey. The city is identified as the exact location where the predicted suffering will occur, giving concrete focus to the believers' fear and their plea. It's the place of Christ's passion, now echoing with the apostle's imminent tribulation.
• "we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem":
  • This phrase emphasizes the collective, unanimous, and fervent nature of the plea. It's a spontaneous human reaction to a clear divine warning of suffering, showcasing profound affection and concern for a beloved apostle, even if it ran counter to what Paul understood as the Spirit's broader leading. The urgency highlights the perceived direness of Agabus's prophecy.

Acts 21 12 Bonus section

The verb parakaleō (to urge/implore) carries a rich semantic range that often includes "to comfort" or "to encourage." In this specific context, while it denotes an earnest entreaty to prevent an action, it originates from a place of deep concern for Paul's well-being, highlighting the pastoral affection they held for him. The collective nature of the appeal, encompassing both Paul's immediate travel group and the local believers, underscores the communal support structure in the early church. Their fear, although contrary to God's ultimate plan for Paul's journey, demonstrates genuine love, a virtue consistently emphasized throughout the New Testament as fundamental to Christian community. This scene therefore captures a raw, authentic human reaction within the divine narrative of redemption.

Acts 21 12 Commentary

Acts 21:12 provides a poignant glimpse into the deeply human reaction to a divine forecast of suffering. Agabus’s explicit and dramatic prophecy detailing Paul’s imminent capture and delivery into Gentile hands in Jerusalem caused understandable anguish among the apostle’s companions and the local believers. Their unanimous plea, “urged him not to go up to Jerusalem,” was not an act of rebellion against a divine word, but rather a profound expression of love, empathy, and a natural human desire to protect Paul from the revealed danger.

This scene stands in tension with Paul’s earlier declarations of being "compelled by the Spirit" to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22). While the Holy Spirit clearly revealed what would happen, it did not (as Paul understood) forbid the journey. The prophecy served as preparation for Paul, not a deterrent. The believers, however, interpreted the prophecy as a warning to be avoided. This mirrors the occasion when Peter earnestly pleaded with Jesus to avert His predestined suffering and death in Jerusalem (Matt 16:21-23), only to be rebuked by the Lord. Both instances demonstrate the understandable, loving, yet ultimately misaligned counsel when human wisdom tries to alter divine will concerning a path of suffering.

Paul's eventual response (Acts 21:13) will reveal his unwavering commitment to Christ, even at the cost of personal hardship, demonstrating a readiness to suffer for the Gospel's sake. The incident underscores that discerning God's will is complex; a warning about suffering doesn't necessarily mean one should avoid it, especially if the path is part of a greater divine purpose. Practically, it highlights the importance of loving fellowship while also calling believers to prayerful discernment that aligns with God's sovereign plan, even when it involves personal cost or pain for a divine cause.