Paul's Voyage to Jerusalem
Acts 21:1-16
Acts.21.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ως: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αναχθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- αποσπασθεντας: PART,aor,pass,acc,pl,m
- απ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- ευθυδρομησαντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- ηλθομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Κω: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- εξης: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Ροδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κακειθεν: ADV
- εις: PREP
- Παταρα·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 20:13-15 (structural): Another ‘we’-travel section that lists successive maritime stops (Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Miletus); parallels Acts 21:1’s sequence of sea-ports and the travel-log structure of Luke’s narrative.
- Acts 16:11-12 (structural): Early ‘we’ voyage (Troas → Samothrace → Neapolis → Philippi) showing the same pattern of Luke accompanying Paul and recording a chain of island/port landings.
- Acts 27:5-7 (verbal): Later sea-voyage account that similarly catalogs ports and sea stages (Sidon, Myra, Cnidus, Fair Havens); thematically parallels the maritime itinerary language and travel detail in Acts 21:1.
- Acts 18:18-19 (thematic): Paul’s sea departure from Corinth to Syria (with mention of ports and ship travel) provides a comparable motif of Paul’s frequent short sea-hops and Luke’s interest in port-to-port movement.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when we had torn ourselves away from them and set sail, we made a straight run for Kos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
- When we had left them and put out to sea, we ran a straight course to Cos; the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
Acts.21.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ευροντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- πλοιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- διαπερων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- Φοινικην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επιβαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ανηχθημεν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Acts 20:13 (verbal): Luke uses similar boarding language—'we went on ahead to the ship'—continuing the narrative pattern of embarking and sailing in Paul’s travels.
- Acts 13:4-5 (verbal): Early missionary voyage language—'they sailed from Seleucia to Cyprus'—parallels the motif of finding a vessel and setting sail to another region.
- Acts 11:19-21 (thematic): Earlier ministry activity 'went as far as Phoenicia'—same geographic destination (Phoenicia) and theme of travel-based mission work.
- Acts 27:1-6 (structural): Longer sea-voyage episode where Paul is transferred to a ship and sets sail for Italy; parallels Acts’ larger structural pattern of sea travel and transshipment episodes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And finding a ship going over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
- Finding a ship bound for Phoenicia, we boarded and set sail.
Acts.21.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αναφαναντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Κυπρον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- καταλιποντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- ευωνυμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επλεομεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,pl
- εις: PREP
- Συριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- κατηλθομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- εις: PREP
- Τυρον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εκεισε: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πλοιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αποφορτιζομενον: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,sg,n
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- γομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 13:4-5 (verbal): Same island (Cyprus) and maritime travel: Luke records Paulʼs earlier voyage to and activity on Cyprus, echoing the sailing itinerary in 21:3.
- Acts 16:11-12 (structural): Another of Lukeʼs 'we' travel sections listing successive landfalls and ports — similar narrative structure of coastal sailing and landings.
- Acts 27:6-12 (thematic): Extended sea‑voyage narrative with detailed port calls, ship transfers and concern for cargo/unloading — thematically parallels the nautical and logistical detail in 21:3.
- Acts 21:1-2 (structural): Immediate context of the same journey (the preceding verses describe embarking and the beginning of the itinerary), directly connected to the activity in 21:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when we had sighted Cyprus and left it on our left hand, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for the ship was to unload her cargo there.
- When we had sighted Cyprus and were kept from landing on Asia, we sailed on to Myra in Lycia.
Acts.21.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ανευροντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- επεμειναμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Παυλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- μη: PART
- επιβαινειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Acts 16:6-7 (verbal): The Holy Spirit actively directs travel in Acts 16: the missionaries are forbidden by the Spirit to enter Asia and Bithynia—paralleling 21:4’s report that, 'by the Spirit,' disciples told Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
- Acts 19:21 (verbal): Paul 'resolved in the Spirit' to go to Jerusalem (19:21). This verbal parallel highlights competing or complementary Spirit-led impulses regarding Paul’s journey to Jerusalem.
- Acts 20:22-23 (thematic): Paul says he is 'bound in the Spirit' to go to Jerusalem and that the Spirit warns of bonds and afflictions—themewise related to the warnings about Jerusalem recorded in 21:4.
- Acts 21:10-11 (structural): Immediately following 21:4 a prophet (Agabus) predicts Paul’s arrest if he goes to Jerusalem. This structural/narrative parallel makes explicit the prophetic/Spirit‑borne warnings referenced in 21:4.
- Acts 15:28 (verbal): The Jerusalem council concludes, 'it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us' (15:28). Like 21:4, this verse reflects the early church’s understanding of the Spirit as authoritative guidance in communal decisions.
Alternative generated candidates
- And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there seven days. They urged Paul, through the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem.
- There we found a ship bound for Italy; so we went aboard and put out to sea. After we had sailed many days with a straight course, we came to Caesarea and landed at Tyre, for the ship was unloading there.
Acts.21.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτε: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εξαρτισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εξελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- επορευομεθα: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- προπεμποντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- συν: PREP
- γυναιξι: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- τεκνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εως: CONJ
- εξω: ADV
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πολεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- θεντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- γονατα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αιγιαλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- προσευξαμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 20:36-38 (verbal): Very close parallel scene: Paul kneels and prays with the elders, they weep, embrace and kiss him, and accompany him out of the city—similar wording and ritual of farewell (kneeling, prayer, embrace).
- Luke 24:50-53 (thematic): Farewell scene in which the departing figure blesses the disciples and they respond with worship/joy—comparable ritual of sending off and communal worshipful response at the point of departure.
- Ephesians 3:14 (verbal): Paulic expression of kneeling in prayer ('I bow my knees') echoes the motif of kneeling to pray found in Acts 21:5, reflecting a common posture of prayer in Pauline and Luke-Acts traditions.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when those days were ended, we departed and went on our way; and all of them, with wives and children, accompanied us as far as the ship. Kneeling on the beach, they prayed.
- We sought out the disciples and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
Acts.21.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απησπασαμεθα: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,pl
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ενεβημεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πλοιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εκεινοι: PRO,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- υπεστρεψαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ιδια: ADJ,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Acts 20:36-38 (thematic): Farewell scene in Acts where Paul and the Ephesian elders embrace, weep, and say goodbye—parallels the parting/greeting motif and travel farewells in Acts 21:6.
- Acts 18:22 (structural): After a sea voyage Paul 'landed at Caesarea and went up and greeted the church,' echoing the pattern of arriving, greeting the believers, and continuing travel found in Acts 21:6.
- 2 Corinthians 13:12 (verbal): Paul's instruction 'Greet one another' (often with a holy kiss) matches the simple greeting formula expressed in Acts 21:6 ('we greeted one another').
- Romans 16:16 (verbal): A general New Testament injunction—'Greet one another with a holy kiss'—provides a liturgical/communal parallel to the brief greeting action in Acts 21:6.
- 1 Peter 5:14 (verbal): Peter's closing salutation ('Greet one another with a kiss of love') is another direct verbal/cultural parallel to the mutual greeting described in Acts 21:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when we had taken our leave, we boarded the ship; and they returned home again.
- When we had completed these days, we took our leave and departed; and all of them, with wives and children, accompanied us to the ship's side, and kneeling on the beach, they prayed.
Acts.21.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- δε: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πλουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- διανυσαντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- Τυρου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κατηντησαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- εις: PREP
- Πτολεμαιδα: PROPN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ασπασαμενοι: PART,aor,mid,nom,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αδελφους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εμειναμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- ημεραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μιαν: NUM,acc,sg,f
- παρ᾽αυτοις: PREP+PRON,dat,pl,3
Parallels
- Acts 28:14 (verbal): Similar travel-report wording: 'landing at Puteoli, we found brethren; and there we were lodged seven days'—like 'came to Ptolemais, and having greeted the brethren, we stayed with them one day.'
- Acts 20:6–7 (structural): Another 'we' travel sequence in Luke–Acts describing sea travel and a reported length of stay ('we sailed... and came to Troas; and we abode seven days'), showing the same itinerary-reporting framework.
- Acts 16:15 (thematic): After conversion Lydia invites Paul and companions to her house and they stay there—parallel theme of greeting/receiving the missionaries and lodging with the brethren.
- Romans 16:5 (thematic): Paul's epistolary greeting to 'the church that is in their house' echoes the practice of local house-churches receiving greetings and hospitality—background to 'greeted the brethren' and staying with them.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when we had completed our voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais and greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.
- After we had embraced one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
Acts.21.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- επαυριον: ADV
- εξελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ηλθομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- εις: PREP
- Καισαρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εισελθοντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οικον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Φιλιππου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ευαγγελιστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οντος: PART,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- εμειναμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- παρ᾽αυτω: PREP,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 6:5 (allusion): Mentions Philip among 'the seven' originally appointed in Jerusalem—Acts 21:8 identifies the same Philip as 'one of the seven,' echoing his appointment in Acts 6.
- Acts 8:5-8, 26-40 (verbal): Describes Philip 'the evangelist' preaching in Samaria and his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch; the same title and ministry background explain the Philip with whom Paul stays in Acts 21:8.
- Acts 21:9 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation that supplies further detail about Philip's household (his four prophet daughters), directly connected to the stay mentioned in 21:8.
- Acts 10:1-48 (thematic): Sets important earlier events in Caesarea (Cornelius' conversion and Peter's ministry), establishing Caesarea as a key Gentile-centered location in Acts—context for Paul's visit in 21:8.
- Acts 23:23–24:27 (thematic): Narrates Paul's later residence and legal proceedings in Caesarea, showing the city's recurring role as a place where itinerant apostles and church events unfold, linking to the stay at Philip's house in 21:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the next day we set out and came to Caesarea; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.
- On arrival at Caesarea we went up and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him.
Acts.21.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- θυγατερες: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- τεσσαρες: NUM,nom,pl,f
- παρθενοι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- προφητευουσαι: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,f
Parallels
- Acts 2:17-18 (quotation): Peter cites Joel: 'your sons and daughters will prophesy,' giving an explicit New Testament precedent for women prophesying.
- Joel 2:28-29 (thematic): Old Testament promise that sons and daughters will prophesy—a theological background for female prophetic activity in Acts.
- 1 Corinthians 11:5 (verbal): Paul specifically mentions women praying and prophesying in public worship, directly addressing female prophecy in the church.
- Luke 2:36-38 (thematic): Anna is called a prophetess who speaks about the child Jesus—an example of female prophetic ministry in Luke–Acts.
- Judges 4:4 (thematic): Deborah is described as a prophetess and leader in Israel, an earlier instance of authoritative female prophecy.
Alternative generated candidates
- This man had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
- This man had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
Acts.21.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επιμενοντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,masc
- δε: CONJ
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- πλειους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- κατηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Ιουδαιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- προφητης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Αγαβος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 11:27-28 (verbal): Same prophet Agabus appears earlier in Acts, here forecasting a forthcoming famine—establishes identity and prior activity of Agabus.
- Acts 21:11 (quotation): Immediate follow-up: Agabus makes a prophetic act concerning Paul (binding his hands and feet), directly connected to his arrival in 21:10.
- Acts 20:22-23 (thematic): Paul himself earlier says he is 'bound in the Spirit' to go to Jerusalem and expects imprisonment and afflictions; Agabus's prophecy in 21:11 corroborates Paul’s own prediction.
- Jeremiah 13:1-11 (thematic): A prophetic symbolic action involving a girdle/belt (Jeremiah) parallels Agabus’s use of Paul’s belt as a sign-act—both use physical objects to enact a prophetic message.
Alternative generated candidates
- While we remained there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
- While we remained there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
Acts.21.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- αρας: VERB,part,aor,act,nom,m,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ζωνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δησας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ειπεν·Ταδε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- Τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανδρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ζωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- ουτως: ADV
- δησουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- εν: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- παραδωσουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εθνων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Acts 20:22–23 (verbal): Paul earlier reports the Spirit’s testimony in every city that chains and afflictions await him in Jerusalem—content closely parallels Agabus’s prediction of Paul’s being bound and delivered.
- Acts 11:28 (thematic): The same prophet Agabus appears earlier, demonstrating the Spirit’s prophetic activity (here predicting a famine); parallels establish Agabus’s role and the pattern of Spirit‑directed public prophecy.
- Jeremiah 13:1–11 (allusion): Jeremiah uses a loincloth/girdle as a symbolic sign‑act to represent Israel’s coming binding and exile—closely analogous to Agabus’s use of Paul’s belt to symbolize Paul’s future restraint.
- Ezekiel 12:3–7 (structural): Ezekiel performs a dramatized sign‑act (packing belongings and digging through a wall) to symbolize exile; similarly Agabus enacts binding to dramatize Paul’s impending arrest—both are prophetic enactments conveying future events.
Alternative generated candidates
- And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own hands and feet and said, 'Thus says the Holy Spirit: So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'
- He came to us; and taking Paul's belt, he bound his own hands and feet and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’"
Acts.21.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ως: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- ηκουσαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- παρεκαλουμεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,pl
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εντοπιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- μη: PART
- αναβαινειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 21:11 (quotation): Agabus prophesies that Paul will be bound at Jerusalem (binding Paul with his own belt), and this prophetic warning immediately prompts the local believers to beg Paul not to go up to Jerusalem—directly parallel and preceding cause of the plea in 21:12.
- Acts 20:22-23 (verbal): Paul declares he is 'bound in the Spirit' to go to Jerusalem despite not knowing what will happen there; this statement explains why others later urgently try to dissuade him from making that journey.
- Acts 20:36-38 (thematic): The Ephesian elders' tearful farewell and emotional appeals to Paul (fearing they will never see him again) reflect the recurring pattern of believers pleading with Paul about journeys that entail danger—similar emotional urging not to proceed.
- Matthew 16:21-23 (thematic): Peter's rebuke of Jesus when he predicts going to Jerusalem to suffer mirrors the motif of companions trying to prevent a leader from going to Jerusalem because of anticipated suffering; both passages depict well-meaning pleas in the face of a destined path of hardship.
Alternative generated candidates
- When we heard this, both we and the local residents begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
- When we heard this, both we and the people of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Acts.21.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος·Τι: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ποιειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- κλαιοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- συνθρυπτοντες: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,nom,m,pl
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- καρδιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- γαρ: PART
- ου: PART,neg
- μονον: ADV
- δεθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- αποθανειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ετοιμως: ADV
- εχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ονοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 20:22-24 (verbal): Paul again declares he is 'bound in spirit' to go to Jerusalem and accepts possible imprisonment and death—language and resolve parallel his readiness 'not only to be bound but also to die.'
- Acts 21:11 (structural): Agabus's prophetic acted-word predicts that Paul will be bound and handed over in Jerusalem; this prophecy provokes the friends' attempt to dissuade Paul and sets the immediate context for his reply in 21:13.
- Philippians 1:20-21 (thematic): Paul expresses the same willingness to face death for Christ's sake—'to live is Christ and to die is gain' and a desire that Christ be honored whether by life or death, echoing the conviction in Acts 21:13.
- 2 Timothy 4:6 (thematic): Paul's later reflection that he is 'being poured out as a drink offering' and that his departure (death) is near resonates with the readiness to die expressed in Acts 21:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Paul answered, 'What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'
- But Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready—not only to be bound, but even to die—at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts.21.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- πειθομενου: VERB,pres,mid,part,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ησυχασαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- ειποντες·Του: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θελημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- γινεσθω: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 6:10 (verbal): The Lord’s Prayer: “Thy will be done” (τὸ θέλημά σου γινέσθω) uses essentially the same wording and expresses the same submission to God’s will as Acts 21:14.
- Luke 22:42 (verbal): Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours be done” (οὐ τὸ θέλημά μου ἀλλὰ τὸ σὸν γενηθήτω), parallels Acts’ expression of yielding to the Lord’s will under trial.
- Psalm 40:8 (Hebrew 40:9) (thematic): “I delight to do your will, O my God” provides an Old Testament background for the pious acceptance of God’s will reflected in Acts 21:14.
- Hebrews 10:7 (quotation): Quotes Psalm 40 (ἰδοὺ ἥκω ποιήσω τὸ θέλημά σου) — the New Testament citation links doing God’s will with obedient submission, echoing the sentiment of Acts 21:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.'
- When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done."
Acts.21.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Μετα: PREP,acc
- δε: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ταυτας: PRON,acc,pl,f
- επισκευασαμενοι: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- ανεβαινομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα·: NOUN,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Acts 19:21 (verbal): Paul determines in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem (ὑπὲρ τοῦ διαβαίνειν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα) — same decision/intent to ‘go up to Jerusalem,’ matching the travel motif and phrasing.
- Acts 20:16 (thematic): Paul is intent on being at Jerusalem (ἵνα ᾖ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ) and hurries his travel plans — thematically parallels the journey toward Jerusalem and the urgency of the itinerary.
- Acts 15:2 (verbal): The church decides that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders (ἀναβῆναι εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα) — an earlier instance of ‘going up to Jerusalem’ for a significant purpose.
- Galatians 2:1 (verbal): Paul: “Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem” (ἀναβὰς δὲ ἀναὶς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα) — a personal attestation using the same verb and describing another visit to Jerusalem, echoing Acts’ travel narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- After those days we packed up and went up to Jerusalem.
- After those days we packed up and went up to Jerusalem.
Acts.21.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συνηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- Καισαρειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- συν: PREP
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- αγοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- παρ᾽ω: PREP+PRON,dat,sg,m
- ξενισθωμεν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,1,pl
- Μνασωνι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg,neut
- Κυπριω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- αρχαιω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- μαθητη: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 11:20-21 (thematic): Mentions men from Cyprus (and Cyrene) as early evangelists—parallels Mnason’s Cypriot origin and the island’s role in the early mission.
- Acts 13:4-5 (thematic): Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey to Cyprus highlights Cyprus as an early center of Christian activity, connecting to Mnason as an early Cypriot disciple.
- Acts 4:36-37 (thematic): Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus and a prominent early disciple, provides a parallel example of an early Cypriot believer known in the wider church.
- Acts 21:8-9 (verbal): Immediately earlier in the chapter Luke records lodging with Philip in Caesarea—parallels the practice of staying with known believers (here Mnason) when visiting cities.
- 1 Corinthians 16:19 (thematic): References to house-churches and believers hosting traveling missionaries (Aquila and Priscilla’s house) parallel the hospitality implied by lodging with Mnason.
Alternative generated candidates
- Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing along a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
- Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought with them a man named Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, to whom we might entrust our lodging.
When we had withdrawn from them and put to sea, we ran straight on to Cos; the next day to Rhodes; and from there to Patara.
There we found a ship about to sail for Phoenicia; boarding it, we weighed anchor. And when we had sighted Cyprus and left it to the left, we sailed on to Syria and came to Tyre; for the ship was to unload her cargo there.
Having found disciples, we remained there seven days. They told Paul, through the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem.
When our days there were ended, we took up our baggage and went on our way; and they, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city to the shore; and there we knelt down and prayed.
After they had embraced and kissed us and taken their leave, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
From there we sailed to Ptolemais and greeted the brothers; and we stayed with them one day.
On the next day we went on to Caesarea and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him.
He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
While we remained there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit: So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles."
When Paul and those with him heard this, they pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. But Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "The Lord's will be done."
After these days we took up our baggage and set out for Jerusalem.
Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought with them Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.