Acts 21:12

12 When we heard this, both we and the local people 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 there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 He came to us, took Paul's belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into Gentile hands.' "
12 When we heard this, both we and the local people begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul replied, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
14 Since he would not be persuaded, we stopped talking and simply said, "The Lord's will be done!"
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.