Devine Scripture

Acts 21:12

What does Acts 21:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 21:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 21:12 means

Hearing Agabus’s message, everyone present—including Luke (“we”)—begs Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Their appeal springs from love and fear of what awaits. This collective voice reveals the human side of ministry: even seasoned workers tremble at the thought of a friend’s chains. The unity shown earlier in prayer now becomes unity in pleading. Yet love can mistake the right response to suffering; it may seek to shield a servant from a cross God has assigned. Their earnestness is real, but it will yield to a higher obedience when Paul speaks of his readiness for the Lord’s sake.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And hearing these things, we and those who were living in that place made request to him not to go to Jerusalem.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when we heard these things, we called upon <FI>him<Fi> --both we, and those of that place--not to go up to Jerusalem,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Which when we had heard, both we and they that were of that place desired him that he would not go up to Jerusalem.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place besought [him] not to go up to Jerusalem.

Context

This verse is the emotional crest following Agabus’s enacted prophecy in verse 11. It shows that the warnings are not theoretical; they cut to the heart of Paul’s companions and the Cæsarean believers. Verse 13 answers their tears with Paul’s settled conviction, and verse 14 shows the group finally entrusting the matter to the Lord’s will. The sequence clarifies motives, calibrates emotions by truth, and moves the story forward toward Jerusalem with sober acceptance.

v.11And 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.

v.12This passage

v.13Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 20:22

    And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

  • Matthew 16:21

    From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

  • 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.

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