Acts 21:14
What does Acts 21:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 21:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 21:14 means
When Paul could not be persuaded, the group stopped urging and said, “The will of the Lord be done.” This surrender is not resignation to fate but trust in God’s sovereign goodness. They accept that the Lord has led Paul to this path and that He will be glorified in it. Love now expresses itself in prayerful entrusting rather than protective pleading. The community moves from resistance to alignment with God’s purpose. Their words echo the heart of faithful discipleship: not my will, but Yours. With that peace, they can help Paul take the next steps, confident that the Lord will accompany him into chains and beyond.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And as he might not be moved we did no more, saying, Let the purpose of God be done.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he not being persuaded, we were silent, saying, `The will of the Lord be done.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when we could not persuade him, we ceased, saying: The will of the Lord be done.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when he would not be persuaded, we were silent, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Context
This verse resolves the tension raised since Tyre (verse 4) and sharpened by Agabus (verse 11). It marks a turning point: the companions move from pleading to praying the Lord’s will. Verses 15–16 immediately record the practical departure for Jerusalem, including arrangements for lodging with Mnason. The flow shows that clarity about God’s will produces decisive movement. The narrative now advances to Paul’s reception in Jerusalem (verses 17–19) and the crucial meeting with James and the elders.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:39
And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
- Luke 11:2
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Father, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
- 1 Samuel 3:18
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is Jehovah: let him do what seemeth him good.
- Genesis 43:14
and God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release unto you your other brother and Benjamin. And if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
- 2 Kings 20:19
Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of Jehovah which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, Is it not so, if peace and truth shall be in my days?
- Matthew 6:10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
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