*Acts 21:1-17
Paul sets sail for Jerusalem despite warnings from fellow believers along the way.
- Paul’s Journey Towards Jerusalem:
- After parting from the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul and his companions sail to Cos, then to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
- They board a ship crossing to Phoenicia and sail past Cyprus, landing at Tyre in Syria, where the ship unloads its cargo.
- Paul’s Stay in Tyre:
- In Tyre, they find disciples and stay there for seven days. The disciples, through the Spirit, urge Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
- Despite these warnings, when it is time to leave, the entire church, including women and children, accompany Paul and his companions outside the city to pray and say farewell.
- Travel from Tyre to Caesarea:
- Paul’s group next travels to Ptolemais, where they greet the believers and stay for one day.
- From Ptolemais, they go to Caesarea and stay at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons, known for his four unmarried daughters who prophesy.
- Prophetic Warning by Agabus:
- During their stay, a prophet named Agabus comes down from Judea to Caesarea.
- Agabus dramatically illustrates his prophecy by taking Paul’s belt and binding his own feet and hands, predicting that the owner of the belt will be similarly bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and handed over to the Gentiles.
- Response to the Prophecy:
- Hearing this, Paul’s companions and the local believers plead with him not to go to Jerusalem.
- Paul responds that he is ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
- Unable to persuade him, they give up, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.”
- Arrival in Jerusalem:
- The group finally arrives in Jerusalem and is warmly received by the believers there.
- The following day, Paul goes to visit James and all the elders of the Jerusalem church, where he reports in detail what God has done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
21:1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 21:2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
21:3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
21:5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
21:6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
21:7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
21:10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
21:12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
21:15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
21:16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
21:17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.