Acts 21:13 kjv
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 21:13 nkjv
Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by 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."
Acts 21:13 niv
Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 21:13 esv
Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 21:13 nlt
But he said, "Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 21 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 10:38 | And whoever does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. | Suffering is part of discipleship. |
| Matt 16:25 | For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. | Losing life for Christ. |
| John 12:25 | He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. | Dying to self for Christ. |
| Acts 9:16 | For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake. | Prophecy of Paul's suffering. |
| Acts 20:23 | save that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. | Paul aware of coming suffering. |
| 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 prior commitment to finish his race. |
| Rom 1:15 | So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. | Paul's readiness for ministry. |
| Rom 8:17 | and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. | Suffering with Christ leads to glory. |
| Rom 8:35 | Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? | Unwavering love amidst suffering. |
| Rom 14:8 | For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. | Life and death for the Lord. |
| 2 Cor 4:8-12 | We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed... | Paul's experiences of suffering. |
| Phil 1:20 | according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. | Christ magnified in life or death. |
| Phil 1:21 | For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. | Christ as life's purpose. |
| 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. | Privilege of suffering for Christ. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... | Exaltation of Christ's name. |
| Col 3:17 | And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. | Everything done in Jesus' name. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. | Persecution for godliness. |
| 1 Pet 4:12-19 | Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you... rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings... | Enduring trials and suffering. |
| Rev 12:11 | And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. | Overcoming through sacrificing life. |
| Heb 10:7 | Then I said, 'Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.' | Jesus' commitment to God's will. |
| Luke 9:23 | If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. | Daily cross-bearing. |
| Luke 22:42 | saying, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.' | Submitting to God's will. |
Acts 21 verses
Acts 21 13 Meaning
Acts 21:13 reveals the Apostle Paul's resolute determination to fulfill God's mission, despite the emotional pleas and forewarnings of suffering from his companions. He acknowledges their sorrow, stating it deeply affects him, yet firmly declares his readiness not only to endure imprisonment but also to die in Jerusalem for the cause and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. This verse encapsulates his unwavering commitment to his divine calling above personal safety or emotional comfort.
Acts 21 13 Context
Acts 21:13 occurs during Paul’s final journey to Jerusalem, a pivotal moment in the Book of Acts. Paul is traveling from Miletus to Jerusalem, fully aware of the dangers that await him there, as explicitly warned by the Holy Spirit through various prophets, including Agabus at Philip the evangelist’s home in Caesarea (Acts 21:10-11). Despite these clear warnings and the desperate pleas and tears of his companions, who love him and fear for his life, Paul remains unswayed. Their weeping causes him significant emotional distress, evidenced by his powerful rhetorical question, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?" However, his conviction for God's divine calling supersedes his personal feelings and the emotional appeals of his friends. This incident highlights the tension between human affection and divine mandate, demonstrating Paul's unwavering commitment to complete his ministry, even if it meant imprisonment or death in Jerusalem.
Acts 21 13 Word analysis
- Then Paul answered: Implies a strong, definitive response, characteristic of Paul's resolve in moments of decision and conviction.
- "What are you doing": A rhetorical question expressing distress and a challenge to their actions, indicating their sorrow affects him deeply. It is not an accusation, but a profound expression of how their tears are impacting him.
- weeping (κλαίοντες - klaiontes): From κλαίω (klaiō), meaning to lament loudly, to mourn with audible sounds. It highlights the intensity of their sorrow and open display of grief for Paul.
- and breaking (συνθρύπτοντές - synthryptontes): From συνθρύπτω (synthryptō), meaning to shatter completely, to crush. It's a vivid metaphorical expression, indicating their tears are not just causing sadness but are deeply distressing or "crushing" his spirit.
- my heart (μου τὴν καρδίαν - mou tēn kardian): Refers to Paul's inner being, the seat of his emotions, will, and spiritual life. Their grief is affecting his deepest self. This reveals his genuine humanity, his sensitivity to his friends' love and concern.
- "For I am ready" (ἑτοίμως ἔχω - hetoimōs echō): Emphasizes an immediate, firm, and voluntary preparedness. This is a statement of unwavering readiness, a core aspect of his apostolic conviction.
- not only to be bound (δεσμευθῆναι - desmeuthēnai): From δεσμεύω (desmeuō), to put in chains, to imprison. This signifies the acceptance of specific, physical suffering foretold to him.
- but also to die (ἀποθανεῖν - apothanein): From ἀποθνήσκω (apothnēskō), to perish, to suffer death. This represents the ultimate sacrifice, a profound level of commitment beyond mere physical hardship.
- in Jerusalem: The specific and prophetic location of his impending suffering and possible death, reinforcing the prophetic warnings and Paul's determined march towards them.
- for the name of the Lord Jesus (τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ - tou onomatos tou Kyriou Iēsou): "Name" (ὄνομα - onoma) here denotes the authority, character, person, and mission of Jesus. Paul's motivation is not self-preservation, but devoted allegiance to Jesus Christ and the advancement of His Gospel, for which he received his commission (Acts 9:15-16). This underscores his entire life's purpose.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?": This is a powerful rhetorical question revealing Paul's genuine emotional struggle. He is profoundly affected by their tears and concern, indicating his humanity and deep affection for his friends. Yet, his commitment to God's will overrides even this intense personal pain.
- "For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem": This declaration is an ultimate statement of self-sacrifice and unwavering resolve. It highlights his acceptance of suffering, ranging from imprisonment to martyrdom, for his mission. The parallel structure ("not only...but also") emphasizes the extremity of his readiness. "In Jerusalem" grounds the suffering in a specific, dangerous, yet divinely appointed place.
- "for the name of the Lord Jesus": This phrase encapsulates Paul's supreme motivation. It indicates that his entire suffering and potential death are not for personal gain or glory, but wholly for the person, authority, and gospel message of Jesus Christ. This transforms potential tragedy into sacred service and echoes the purpose given to him at his conversion (Acts 9:15-16).
Acts 21 13 Bonus section
This verse serves as a crucial theological marker, showing that authentic Christian commitment sometimes demands choosing divine calling over personal comfort and the well-meaning affections of others. Paul's statement is not a rebuke of their love but a necessary articulation of his unwavering purpose. It foreshadows the nature of Christian discipleship where following Christ may lead to suffering, validating the prophecies and Paul's mission despite human apprehension. This demonstrates the spiritual principle that obedience to God can sometimes involve personal agony alongside joyful conviction.
Acts 21 13 Commentary
Acts 21:13 reveals the intersection of profound human emotion and unwavering spiritual resolve in Paul. While visibly moved by the distress of his companions ("breaking my heart"), Paul's ultimate commitment is to God's will and the glorification of Jesus Christ. His declaration to be ready for imprisonment or death in Jerusalem underscores a radical obedience born from an unshakable conviction in his divine calling. This moment powerfully exemplifies what it means to "count all things loss" for Christ (Phil 3:7-8) and showcases a model of faithful endurance in the face of predestined hardship, not out of stubbornness, but out of absolute dedication to "the name of the Lord Jesus."