Acts Chapter 21 Verses 1-6

Acts 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: 2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. 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. 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 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. 6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.”

Verses 1-3 gives us details of the travels of Paul and those with him as he continued his journey toward Jerusalem.

“And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.”  This tells us that when they stopped at Tyre they found disciple and tarried there 7 days.  These disciples said to Paul through the Spirit he should not go up to Jerusalem.  However, this would seem to conflict with the Spirit leading Paul to go up to Jerusalem.  However, this conflict is easily resolved when we consider that the Spirit was telling the disciples that bad things would happen to Paul at Jerusalem and thus they did not want Paul to go.  Whereas, the Spirit was leading Paul to go to Jerusalem even though bad things were awaiting him there. 

"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. 6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.”  Similar to what we saw at Ephesus the disciples realized this was the last time they would see Paul and they were sad.  They went with their families to see him off and prayed with him. 

Verses 7-14

Acts 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. 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. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. 10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 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. 12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 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. 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.”

 “And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.” One day was spent with the disciples at Ptolemais and the journey toward Jerusalem continued.

“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.”  The next leg of the journey was at Caesarea where Paul and the brethren with him visited in the house of Philip the evangelist.  It is pointed out here that Philip had at one time been one of the seven deacons in Chapter 6.  It is not unusual to see deacons to be later called to preach, though this is not a requirement.  Philip was the one who had carried the gospel to Samaria and then to the eunuch of Ethiopia.

“And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.”  Philip had four daughters who at that time were virgins and they did prophesy.  It should be pointed out that the gift of prophecy is not limited to preachers only.  There is a difference between one called to be a prophet and the gift of prophecy.  A prophet of course will have the gift of prophecy, but they are not the only ones who have the gift of prophecy. 

“And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.  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.  And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.”  The prophet Agabus came down from Jerusalem and declared though prophecy what would happen to Paul at Jerusalem.  The disciples besought Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Moreover, they wept at the prospect of his going to Jerusalem. 

“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.”  Paul declared his willingness not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.  What these disciples at that time failed to realize is that Paul’s imprisonment would afford him the time and opportunity to write several of the letters that later would become a part of the holy scriptures and be a blessing to God’s people throughout this New Testament age.  “And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.”

Verses 15-17

Acts 21:15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. 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. 17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.”

This passage was the conclusion of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem.  It is clear from this passage there were two groups of Jews at Jerusalem.  One group were the disciples and they gladly received Paul.  While they numbered in the thousands, they were dwarfed by the second group of Jews who hated Paul and wanted to see him dead.