Gevurot 21:13

13 Then Rav Sha’ul answered, "What are you doing weeping and breaking my lev (heart)? For I am prepared not only to be bound but to die al kiddush ha-Shem in Yerushalayim, for haShem of the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua."

Gevurot 21:13 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, what mean ye to weep
For they were crying about him, both his companions and the disciples of Caesarea; which affected him, and gave him great uneasiness, even more than the prophecies of Agabus did:

and to break my heart?
for though he was resolved to go to Jerusalem, and nothing could move him from it, his heart was firm as a rock; there was no shaking him, or making impressions upon him that way; yet their tears and importunity greatly afflicted him, and the more because he could by no means comply with their request:

for I am ready not to be bound only, but to die at Jerusalem for the
name of the Lord Jesus;
for as yet, he knew not but he should die there; it was revealed to him that he should be bound there, but it was not yet suggested to him where he should suffer death, whether there or elsewhere; and since he knew not but it might be there, he was ready for it; bonds were so far from distressing his mind, and deterring him from his intended journey, that death itself could not do it; which showed great intrepidity, courage, and firmness of mind.

Gevurot 21:13 In-Context

11 And when he came to us, he took Rav Sha’ul’s gartel and, having bound his own feet and hands with it, Agav said, "So says the Ruach Hakodesh: this is the way the Yehudim in Yerushalayim will bind the man who owns this gartel, and they will hand him over to the Goyim.” [MELACHIM ALEF 22:11; Isa 20:2- 4; Jer 13:1-11]

12 And when we heard these things, we were begging Rav Sha’ul, both we and the locals, not to make any aliyah (ascent) to Yerushalayim.

13 Then Rav Sha’ul answered, "What are you doing weeping and breaking my lev (heart)? For I am prepared not only to be bound but to die al kiddush ha-Shem in Yerushalayim, for haShem of the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua."

14 And not persuading him, we remained silent, having said, "Let the ratzon Hashem be done."

15 And after these yamim, having made preparations, we were making an aliyah to Yerushalayim.