211 When we had parted from them and had set sail , we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara ; 2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia , we went aboard and set sail . 3 When we came in sight of Cyprus , leaving it on the left , we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre ; for there the ship was to unload its cargo . 4 After looking up the disciples , we stayed there seven days ; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem . 5 When our days there were ended , we left and started on our journey , while they all , with wives and children , escorted us until we were out of the city . After kneeling e down e on the beach and praying , we said farewell to one another . 6 Then we went on board the ship , and they returned home again. 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre , we arrived at Ptolemais , and after greeting the brethren , we stayed with them for a day .
8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea , and entering the house of Philip the evangelist , who was one of the seven , we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses . 10 As we were staying there for some days , a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea . 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands , and said , "This is what the Holy Spirit says : 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles .' " 12 When we had heard this , we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem . 13 Then Paul answered , "What are you doing , weeping and breaking my heart ? For I am ready not only to be bound , but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus ." 14 And since he would not be persuaded , we fell silent , remarking , " The will of the Lord be done !"
15 After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem . 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus , a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge .
17 After we arrived in Jerusalem , the brethren received us gladly . 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James , and all the elders were present .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 21:1-18
Commentary on Acts 21:1-7
(Read Acts 21:1-7)
Providence must be acknowledged when our affairs go on well. Wherever Paul came, he inquired what disciples were there, and found them out. Foreseeing his troubles, from love to him, and concern for the church, they wrongly thought it would be most for the glory of God that he should continue at liberty; but their earnestness to dissuade him from it, renders his pious resolution the more illustrious. He has taught us by example, as well as by rule, to pray always, to pray without ceasing. Their last farewell was sweetened with prayer.
Commentary on Acts 21:8-18
(Read Acts 21:8-18)
Paul had express warning of his troubles, that when they came, they might be no surprise or terror to him. The general notice given us, that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God, should be of the same use to us. Their weeping began to weaken and slacken his resolution Has not our Master told us to take up our cross? It was a trouble to him, that they should so earnestly press him to do that in which he could not gratify them without wronging his conscience. When we see trouble coming, it becomes us to say, not only, The will of the Lord must be done, and there is no remedy; but, Let the will of the Lord be done; for his will is his wisdom, and he doeth all according to the counsel of it. When a trouble is come, this must allay our griefs, that the will of the Lord is done; when we see it coming, this must silence our fears, that the will of the Lord shall be done; and we ought to say, Amen, let it be done. It is honourable to be an old disciple of Jesus Christ, to have been enabled by the grace of God to continue long in a course of duty, stedfast in the faith, growing more and more experienced, to a good old age. And with these old disciples one would choose to lodge; for the multitude of their years shall teach wisdom. Many brethren at Jerusalem received Paul gladly. We think, perhaps, that if we had him among us, we should gladly receive him; but we should not, if, having his doctrine, we do not gladly receive that.