Acts 21 14

Acts 21:14 kjv

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

Acts 21:14 nkjv

So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done."

Acts 21:14 niv

When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."

Acts 21:14 esv

And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the Lord be done."

Acts 21:14 nlt

When it was clear that we couldn't persuade him, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 14 Meaning

The verse describes a profound moment of resolute surrender to God's will. When the disciples, witnessing the Holy Spirit's outpouring and experiencing the fulfillment of prophecy, saw Paul about to face severe hardship and potential death in Jerusalem, they implored him not to go. Their heartfelt plea, "The will of the Lord be done," signifies their ultimate trust in God's sovereignty, even when it meant great personal suffering for Paul and sorrow for themselves. It's an acceptance of divine providence above human desires.

Acts 21 14 Context

This verse occurs within the final journey of the Apostle Paul to Jerusalem, described in Acts chapter 21. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit and intent on obeying God's calling, was warned repeatedly by various individuals and prophetic utterances that chains and imprisonment awaited him in Jerusalem. Despite these dire premonishments and the tearful pleas of his closest companions, particularly from his ministry team in Tyre, Paul remained steadfast in his mission. His companions, seeing his unwavering resolve and likely distressed by the prophetic implications, uttered this phrase.

Acts 21 14 Word Analysis

• But ( δὲ, de): A conjunctive particle, indicating a contrast or continuation. Here it links the previous statements and Paul’s unwavering resolve to the disciples' final, resigned acceptance.
• when ( ἐπειδὴ, epeide) / seeing (ὡς, hos): Greek particle implying "because," "since," or "as." It introduces the reason for their statement—they understood the situation Paul was heading into.
• he (αὐτός, autos): Refers to Paul.
• would not (οὐκ ἤθελεν, ouk ēthelen): The imperfect tense of "to will" or "to want," indicating a continuous or repeated action in the past, meaning Paul persistently refused to be dissuaded.
• be persuaded (πείθεσθαι, peithesthai): The infinitive of "to persuade," in the passive voice, meaning Paul would not allow himself to be swayed from his decision.
• saying (λέγοντες, legontes): The present participle of "to say," indicating that their statement accompanied their refusal to persuade him.
• The (ὁ, ho)
• will (θέλημα, thelēma)
• of (τοῦ, tou)
• Lord (Κυρίου, Kuriou): Genitive case of Kyrios (Lord), referring to God.
• be (γινέσθω, ginesthō): The third-person singular imperative of "to become" or "to be," a command for God's will to be done.
• done (ποίησον, poieson): The second-person singular imperative of "to do" or "to make," strongly expressing the command. Though the phrasing in some manuscripts is "The will of the Lord be done," the textual critical reading often supports a slightly different emphasis that conveys this resolute surrender.

Words-Group Analysis

• "The will of the Lord be done": This phrase is not merely an observation but a declaration of profound theological understanding and trust. It echoes Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42), where He submitted to the Father's plan, even to the point of death. For Paul's companions, it signified a turning point from pleading to acknowledging and accepting God’s sovereign control over Paul’s life and ministry, regardless of the cost. It's an act of releasing their desires for Paul’s safety into God’s hands.

Acts 21 14 Bonus Section

The deep emotion conveyed by the disciples, who "wept" (Acts 21:13) when Paul decided to proceed to Jerusalem, highlights the strong personal bonds within the early Christian community. Their utterance, "The will of the Lord be done," is a theological response rooted in a comprehensive understanding of God's character and His redemptive plan. It implies not passive resignation, but an active trust in a God who uses all circumstances, including suffering, for His glory and the spread of the Gospel. The parallel to Jesus’ own prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane underscores that obedience to God’s will, even through suffering, is a core Christian disciple. This moment also foreshadows the pattern of Paul’s ministry: steadfast devotion despite immense hardship, which he himself often articulated.

Acts 21 14 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the unwavering faith of those who understood God's ultimate sovereignty and purpose, even in the face of impending suffering. The disciples’ plea to Paul not to go to Jerusalem was born of genuine love and concern for him, having heard the prophecies about his imprisonment. However, when Paul’s resolve, driven by the Holy Spirit, remained unyielding, their plea shifted to a prayerful submission to God's plan. This shows maturity in faith: recognizing human love and desires, but prioritizing God's will above all else. It is a powerful testament to trusting God's good purposes, even when those purposes involve hardship and personal loss. It’s about accepting God’s plan, not just hoping for the best outcome according to human perspective.

Practical Usage: When facing difficult decisions where personal desires clash with what appears to be God's calling or perceived will, remember this example. It’s about discerning God’s purpose and submitting to it, even when it’s painful.