Acts 21:11-15
 
Acts 21:11 (KJB)
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
 
Girdle - A man’s hollow belt which could also be used as a purse
 
Agabus took the belt of Paul which would have been long enough to wrap himself up, both feet and hands, and now disclosed the type of persecution that Paul was going to face in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit has now revealed through Agabus that Paul is going to be handed over to the Gentiles, which would be the Romans. Paul was fully aware of the persecution that awaited him in Jerusalem but even knowing that, he would not be deterred from his desire to go there.
 
Acts 21:12 (KJB)
And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
 
Besought - Exhorted or urged
 
Luke states that when they heard these things, they had urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. This was just like the event in Tyre, when they heard the message of Paul’s coming persecution at Jerusalem, they also urged him not to go. It was not because they wanted him to be disobedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, but it was out of their love for him. Paul knew that if this was of the Lord, there was no way that he could go in the other direction. Remember Jonah!
 
Acts 21:13 (KJB)
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
 
It seems that Paul’s friends were persistent in their argument for him not to go to Jerusalem. Little did they know, they were doing what Peter did when he stated that the Lord would not go to Jerusalem and die. Peter had his eyes on the flesh, which was the emotional element of Christianity that can divert Christians from doing what God would have them to do. Paul’s friends were doing the same thing as they allowed their emotions to interfere with the fact that Paul had been called by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. Paul’s response was strong because their repeated attempts to halt him from going to Jerusalem could have had an effect upon Paul’s emotional will, thus weakening him and then if he succumbs to the flesh, then he would cancel his journey there. Instead, he tells them that he is not only willing to go to Jerusalem bound, but because of his love for the Lord Jesus, he is willing to die for the name of Christ. Notice Paul did not focus on himself but he refocused them on their commitment to the Lord Jesus and that sometimes it commands the utmost commitment, their physical life.
 
Acts 21:14 (KJB)
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
 
Will - Purpose or determination
 
Paul stood very firm in his commitment to go to Jerusalem. Luke states that they saw that Paul could not be persuaded or convinced to abort his journey to Jerusalem, they then stated that the will of the Lord be done. So they committed Paul into the hands of the will or purpose of God for him because they saw that it was definitely God’s will that Paul goes. Paul knew that the Lord Jesus Christ could take care of him in whatever situation arose and that is why Paul could write to Timothy. (2 Tim 1:12 KJV) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Paul knew whom he believed in and was convinced that Christ would maintain him in any situation. Paul also knew that you cannot kill a Christian, you can only change his address.
 
Acts 21:15 (KJB)
And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
 
After the time they had at Philips home in Caesarea, the day had finally come when Paul would travel to Jerusalem. They had packed up all their baggage, probably on a rented horse and wagon and then headed toward Jerusalem. It was about a 60 mile trip (97 km) from Caesarea to Jerusalem and could have taken them two days to get there doing about 30 miles a day.

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