Acts 21:12

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

Acts 21:12 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 21:12

And when we heard these things
These prophecies, concerning the binding of the apostle by the Jews, and the delivery of him to the Romans, and saw the symbolical representations of these things:

both we;
the companions of the apostle, Luke and the rest:

and they of that place;
of Caesarea, Philip and his daughters, and the disciples that lived there:

besought him not to go up to Jerusalem;
which was an instance of weakness in them, though an expression of their affection to the apostle; in the disciples of Caesarea it might arise from pure love to him, and a concern for his safety, and the continuance of his useful life; and in his companions it might be owing partly to their sincere love to him, and partly to the fear of danger which they themselves might conclude they should be exposed to; and this request was made with tears, as is evident from what follows.

Acts 21:12 In-Context

10 While we were staying for some days, a prophet named Ag'abus came down from Judea.
11 And coming to us he took Paul's girdle and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"
12 When we heard this, we and the people there begged 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 imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "The will of the Lord be done."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.