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Acts 21:4
Verse
Context
Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem
3After sighting Cyprus and passing south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.4We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.5But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Who said to Paul through the Spirit - We cannot understand this as a command from the Holy Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem, else Paul must have been highly criminal to have disobeyed it. Through the Spirit, must either refer to their own great earnestness to dissuade him from taking a journey which they plainly saw would be injurious to him - and so Bp. Pearce understands this place; or, if it refer to the Holy Spirit, it must mean that if he regarded his personal safety he must not, at this time, go up to Jerusalem. The Spirit foretold Paul's persecutions, but does not appear to have forbidden his journey; and Paul was persuaded that, in acting as he was about to do, whatever personal risk he ran, he should bring more glory to God, by going to Jerusalem, than by tarrying at Tyre or elsewhere. The purport of this Divine communication was, "If thou go up to Jerusalem the Jews will persecute thee; and thou wilt be imprisoned, etc." As he was apprized of this, he might have desisted, for the whole was conditional: Paul might or might not go to Jerusalem; if he did go, he would be persecuted, and be in danger of losing his life. The Holy Spirit neither commanded him to go, nor forbade him; the whole was conditional; and he was left to the free exercise of his own judgment and conscience. This was a similar case to that of David in Keilah, Sa1 23:9-13. David prevented the threatened evil by leaving Keilah: Paul fell into it by going to Jerusalem.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
finding disciples--finding out the disciples, implying some search. They would expect such, from what is recorded, Act 11:19. Perhaps they were not many; yet there were gifted ones among them. who said to Paul . . . that he should not go up to Jerusalem--(See on Act 20:23; also see on Act 21:11-14).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And finding disciples,.... At Tyre, for the Gospel had been preached in Phoenicia by the ministers of the word, who were scattered by the persecution raised at the death of Stephen; and here were brethren, such as had believed in Christ, embraced and professed his Gospel, and were baptized in his name; see Act 11:19 and who also had extraordinary gifts, as appears by what follows; and there was no doubt a Gospel church founded in this place, though who presided over it in the first century, we have no account; in the "second" century there was a church here, and Cassius was bishop of it (q); in the "third" century there were some martyrs in this place, who suffered under Dioclesian, and bore innumerable stripes with great courage and constancy, and after that fought with beasts, as bears, leopards, boars, and bulls, and at the same time Tyrannio, bishop of this church, also suffered martyrdom (r); in the "fourth" century there was a synod at Tyre under Constantine, to which he wrote a letter (s). There was a bishop of this church present at the council of Nice, in the times of the said emperor; in this age Paulinus and Dorotheus were bishops of Tyre; in the "fifth" century Irenaeus was bishop of Tyre, and then it was the metropolitan of Phoenicia; and in the "sixth" century, there was a bishop of the same church present at the fifth council of Rome and Constantinople (t). Of the bishops of Tyre in the several centuries, the learned Reland (u) gives a more particular account; according to him, Cassius, bishop of this church, was in the synod held at Caesarea, about the year 198. Paulinus, another bishop of Tyre, was in another council held at the same place, in the year 318. Zeno subscribed in the council of Nice, in the year 325, the first among the bishops of Phoenicia; Vitalis was in the council at Sardica, in the year 347. Uranius subscribed in the council held at Seleucia by the Semiarians, in the year 359; another Zeno bishop of this church was present at the second council at Constantinople, in the year 381; and mention is made of Photius bishop of Tyre, in the acts of the Chalcedon council, held in the year 451, as is also Eusebius in the acts of the council at Constantinople, in the year 553: we tarried there seven days; either waiting for a ship to proceed on further; or in choice, to enjoy the conversation of the disciples, which was very delightful, and to confirm them in the faith: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem; not that the Spirit of God in these persons contradicted his own impulse in the apostle, by which he was moved to go to Jerusalem, see Act 20:22. The sense is, that these disciples, by the spirit of prophecy, knew that if the apostle went to Jerusalem, many evil things would befall him; wherefore of their own spirit, and out of love to him, they advise him not to go. (q) Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 5. c. 25. (r) Ib. l. 8. c. 7, 12. (s) Ib. de Vita Constantin. l. 4. c. 41, 42. (t) Magdeburg. Hist. Eccl. cent. 4. c. 2. p. 2. c. 10. p. 553, 554. cent. 5. c. 2. p. 3. c. 7. p. 417. cent. 6. c. (u) Palestina Ilustrata, l. 3. p. 1054, 1055.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
21:4-6 The local believers at Tyre gave Paul a touching farewell that reveals deep Christian fellowship. • prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem: The believers at Tyre clearly foresaw the danger in Paul’s visiting Jerusalem and out of brotherly concern tried to dissuade him. Paul willingly accepted the risks in order to fulfill his apostolic mandate (cp. Phil 3:7-10). See also study note on Acts 21:11-14.
Acts 21:4
Paul ’s Journey to Jerusalem
3After sighting Cyprus and passing south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.4We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.5But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Church - Part 6
By Les Wheeldon1.4K1:10:04ChurchMAT 6:33MAT 8:14ACT 21:4ACT 21:11In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of approaching the Bible as a living book, through which God can minister to our lives. He encourages listeners to lay their lives before God and allow Him to heal and touch their hearts. The speaker highlights that joy is the mark of people under the ministry of the Spirit, and it is the strength of God. He also discusses the three realms of ministry: God ministering to us, us ministering to God, and God ministering to people. The speaker shares a powerful story of a woman who was able to witness to her neighbor effectively after seeking God's guidance. He concludes by emphasizing that while sharing the Gospel is important, it is ultimately God's converting power that brings about transformation in people's lives.
Book of Acts Series - Part 35 | Your Potential
By Jim Cymbala86044:25Book Of ActsACT 20:37ACT 21:4ACT 21:10ACT 21:14ACT 21:24ACT 21:26ACT 21:28In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the potential within ourselves and within the body of Christ. He highlights the love and unity among the early Christians as they hugged, kissed, and prayed together. The speaker also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts and encourages listeners to understand the person and work of the Holy Spirit. He urges believers to break down cultural barriers and love one another, emphasizing the need for encouragement and support within the church. The sermon concludes with a reminder to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to be open to God's guidance in choosing where to serve and minister.
(Acts) Paul Goes to Jerusalem
By Brian Brodersen7481:01:37MAT 28:19ACT 14:27ACT 15:4ACT 21:4ACT 22:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that it is God who works in and through people, rather than focusing on the achievements of individuals. The speaker criticizes the tendency in some ministries and Christian TV shows to glorify and elevate certain individuals as "great men of God." The speaker shares a personal experience of watching a Christian TV show where the preacher seemed more focused on himself and his actions rather than on God. The sermon concludes with a prayer for God to apply the lessons from the book of Acts to the listeners' lives and for them to actively participate in God's ongoing work.
Close of Paul's Third Missionary Journey Acts 21:1-17
By J.R. Miller0Courage in DutyFriendship in ChristPRO 3:5MAT 28:19LUK 9:62JHN 13:35ACT 21:4ROM 12:10PHP 2:41TH 5:112TI 4:51PE 4:10J.R. Miller reflects on the emotional parting of Paul and the Christians in Tyre, emphasizing the deep connections formed through love and service. He highlights the importance of not misinterpreting divine guidance, as the disciples warned Paul of danger, yet he remained committed to his mission. Miller illustrates that true friendship is built on genuine love and selflessness, as exemplified by Paul’s willingness to face suffering for the sake of the Gospel. He also notes the vital role of women in ministry, as seen in Philip's family, and concludes that knowing our future can hinder our faith, urging believers to remain steadfast in their duties despite challenges. Ultimately, Miller encourages Christians to prioritize their commitment to God over personal safety or comfort.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Who said to Paul through the Spirit - We cannot understand this as a command from the Holy Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem, else Paul must have been highly criminal to have disobeyed it. Through the Spirit, must either refer to their own great earnestness to dissuade him from taking a journey which they plainly saw would be injurious to him - and so Bp. Pearce understands this place; or, if it refer to the Holy Spirit, it must mean that if he regarded his personal safety he must not, at this time, go up to Jerusalem. The Spirit foretold Paul's persecutions, but does not appear to have forbidden his journey; and Paul was persuaded that, in acting as he was about to do, whatever personal risk he ran, he should bring more glory to God, by going to Jerusalem, than by tarrying at Tyre or elsewhere. The purport of this Divine communication was, "If thou go up to Jerusalem the Jews will persecute thee; and thou wilt be imprisoned, etc." As he was apprized of this, he might have desisted, for the whole was conditional: Paul might or might not go to Jerusalem; if he did go, he would be persecuted, and be in danger of losing his life. The Holy Spirit neither commanded him to go, nor forbade him; the whole was conditional; and he was left to the free exercise of his own judgment and conscience. This was a similar case to that of David in Keilah, Sa1 23:9-13. David prevented the threatened evil by leaving Keilah: Paul fell into it by going to Jerusalem.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
finding disciples--finding out the disciples, implying some search. They would expect such, from what is recorded, Act 11:19. Perhaps they were not many; yet there were gifted ones among them. who said to Paul . . . that he should not go up to Jerusalem--(See on Act 20:23; also see on Act 21:11-14).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And finding disciples,.... At Tyre, for the Gospel had been preached in Phoenicia by the ministers of the word, who were scattered by the persecution raised at the death of Stephen; and here were brethren, such as had believed in Christ, embraced and professed his Gospel, and were baptized in his name; see Act 11:19 and who also had extraordinary gifts, as appears by what follows; and there was no doubt a Gospel church founded in this place, though who presided over it in the first century, we have no account; in the "second" century there was a church here, and Cassius was bishop of it (q); in the "third" century there were some martyrs in this place, who suffered under Dioclesian, and bore innumerable stripes with great courage and constancy, and after that fought with beasts, as bears, leopards, boars, and bulls, and at the same time Tyrannio, bishop of this church, also suffered martyrdom (r); in the "fourth" century there was a synod at Tyre under Constantine, to which he wrote a letter (s). There was a bishop of this church present at the council of Nice, in the times of the said emperor; in this age Paulinus and Dorotheus were bishops of Tyre; in the "fifth" century Irenaeus was bishop of Tyre, and then it was the metropolitan of Phoenicia; and in the "sixth" century, there was a bishop of the same church present at the fifth council of Rome and Constantinople (t). Of the bishops of Tyre in the several centuries, the learned Reland (u) gives a more particular account; according to him, Cassius, bishop of this church, was in the synod held at Caesarea, about the year 198. Paulinus, another bishop of Tyre, was in another council held at the same place, in the year 318. Zeno subscribed in the council of Nice, in the year 325, the first among the bishops of Phoenicia; Vitalis was in the council at Sardica, in the year 347. Uranius subscribed in the council held at Seleucia by the Semiarians, in the year 359; another Zeno bishop of this church was present at the second council at Constantinople, in the year 381; and mention is made of Photius bishop of Tyre, in the acts of the Chalcedon council, held in the year 451, as is also Eusebius in the acts of the council at Constantinople, in the year 553: we tarried there seven days; either waiting for a ship to proceed on further; or in choice, to enjoy the conversation of the disciples, which was very delightful, and to confirm them in the faith: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem; not that the Spirit of God in these persons contradicted his own impulse in the apostle, by which he was moved to go to Jerusalem, see Act 20:22. The sense is, that these disciples, by the spirit of prophecy, knew that if the apostle went to Jerusalem, many evil things would befall him; wherefore of their own spirit, and out of love to him, they advise him not to go. (q) Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 5. c. 25. (r) Ib. l. 8. c. 7, 12. (s) Ib. de Vita Constantin. l. 4. c. 41, 42. (t) Magdeburg. Hist. Eccl. cent. 4. c. 2. p. 2. c. 10. p. 553, 554. cent. 5. c. 2. p. 3. c. 7. p. 417. cent. 6. c. (u) Palestina Ilustrata, l. 3. p. 1054, 1055.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
21:4-6 The local believers at Tyre gave Paul a touching farewell that reveals deep Christian fellowship. • prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem: The believers at Tyre clearly foresaw the danger in Paul’s visiting Jerusalem and out of brotherly concern tried to dissuade him. Paul willingly accepted the risks in order to fulfill his apostolic mandate (cp. Phil 3:7-10). See also study note on Acts 21:11-14.