Acts 20:23
What does Acts 20:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:23 means
The Holy Spirit has repeatedly testified that imprisonment and afflictions await Paul. This is not a single warning but a chorus across cities. Yet the Spirit who warns also leads. Suffering is not accidental but anticipated within God’s plan. Paul’s awareness does not deter him; it prepares him. The verse teaches that the Christian life may include foretold hardships, and that courage is not ignorance but trust in God’s purposes. The Spirit’s voice does not promise ease but faithfulness amid trials, molding servants who endure for the sake of the gospel’s advance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Only that the Holy Spirit makes clear to me in every town that prison and pains are waiting for me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862save that the Holy Spirit in every city doth testify fully, saying, that for me bonds and tribulations remain;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890only that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and tribulations await me.
Context
This verse completes the picture begun in verse 22: Paul goes to Jerusalem under the Spirit’s compulsion and the Spirit’s warnings. The next verse (24) reveals Paul’s value system—completing his ministry matters more than preserving his life. That conviction will ground his farewell realism in verse 25 and his declaration of a clear conscience (verses 26–27). These elements prepare for the strong pastoral charge that follows about guarding God’s flock (verses 28–31).
v.22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
v.23This passage
v.24But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:
- Acts 8:29
And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
- Acts 21:11
And coming to us, and taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
- Acts 21:4
And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.
- Acts 14:22
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3
that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.
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