Acts 21:10-14 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And as we tarried there many days There being many disciples in that city, the fruit, as appears, of the ministry and miracles of Philip; there came from Judea a prophet named Agabus Paul, and some part of his company, had become acquainted with this prophet some years before, at Antioch, where he foretold the famine which afterward happened in the days of Claudius Cesar, Acts 11:28. And when he was come unto us Several of the disciples of Cesarea and Paul's friends being together; he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet In the manner that malefactors were wont to be bound when apprehended; and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost By whose inspiration I now speak and act; So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle Thus Agabus, like the prophets of old, accompanied his prediction with a significant prophetic symbol: and thus the nearer the event was, the more express and impressive were the predictions intended to prepare Paul for it. When we Of Paul's company; and they of that place The brethren of Cesarea; heard these things And believed if he went to Jerusalem the prediction would be fulfilled; we besought him not to go In the most pressing manner, and with many tears of sincere and fervent affection, Acts 21:13; being ignorant, it appears, that this and the former prediction were intended, not to hinder him from going to Jerusalem, but to make him the more courageous, by signifying to him beforehand what was to befall him, (Acts 20:22-23,) and that he would not be put to death at Jerusalem. Then Paul Sensibly touched with the concern which they expressed on his account, and yet resolutely bent upon following what he apprehended to be the call of duty, whatever sufferings it might expose him to; answered, What mean ye to weep and break my heart? By these affectionate salutations? Observe, reader, the admirable mixture of tenderness and firmness of spirit manifested in this answer. I am ready, not to be bound only And cast into prison; but also to die at Jerusalem Or wherever else I may be called to it; for the name of the Lord Jesus For he feared neither sufferings nor death in any form, if he might thereby defend the gospel, and promote the glory of its Author, which were the ends he had chiefly in view in all his labours and sufferings, and which he preferred to all other things whatever. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased It was not obstinacy in Paul that hindered his yielding to their persuasions, but true Christian resolution, not to relinquish what he believed to be the line of duty. We should never be persuaded either to do what we know to be evil, or to omit what we believe to be good, when it is in our power: saying, The will of the Lord be done Which they were satisfied Paul knew.