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ACT 21:8-16

Paul Visits Philip the Evangelist

8Departing the next day, we came to Caesarea. Entering the house of Philip the Evangelist — who was one of the Seven — we stayed with him. [21:9] Now this man had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. [21:10] While we were staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. [21:11] Coming to us and taking Paul's belt, he bound his own hands and feet and said: "The Holy Spirit says this: 'So shall the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' " [21:12] When we heard this, both we and the local people began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. [21:13] 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 in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." [21:14] When he could not be persuaded, we fell silent, saying: "The will of the Lord be done." [21:15] After these days we made preparations and were going up to Jerusalem. [21:16] Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus — an early disciple — with whom we were to lodge.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, hospitality was a sacred duty, and staying in the home of a fellow believer like Philip the Evangelist would have been both a practical and spiritual act. Philip, identified as one of the Seven (Acts 6:5), held a respected role in the early Christian community, likely overseeing charitable works. His four unmarried daughters prophesying would have been notable, as female prophetic activity, while present in Jewish tradition (e.g., Miriam, Deborah), was less common in Greco-Roman contexts. The arrival of Agabus, a prophet from Judea, carried weight, as prophets were seen as mediators of divine messages. His dramatic act of binding Paul’s belt to his own hands and feet mirrored Old Testament prophetic symbolism (e.g., Isaiah 20:2-4) and would have been understood as a vivid, Spirit-led warning. The group’s response—urging Paul not to go to Jerusalem—reflects the tension between divine calling and communal concern in early Christian circles.

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How other translations render this

ACT 21:8

KJV
And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
BSB
Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
Koinōnos
Departing the next day, we came to Caesarea. Entering the house of Philip the Evangelist — who was one of the Seven — we stayed with him.

ACT 21:9

KJV
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
BSB
He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
Koinōnos
Now this man had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

ACT 21:10

KJV
And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
BSB
After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
Koinōnos
While we were staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

ACT 21:11

KJV
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.
BSB
Coming over to us, he took Paulʼs belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
Koinōnos
Coming to us and taking Paul's belt, he bound his own hands and feet and said: "The Holy Spirit says this: 'So shall the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'

ACT 21:12

KJV
And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
BSB
When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
Koinōnos
When we heard this, both we and the local people began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.

ACT 21:13

KJV
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.
BSB
Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Koinōnos
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 in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

ACT 21:14

KJV
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
BSB
When he would not be dissuaded, we quieted down and said, “The Lordʼs will be done.”
Koinōnos
When he could not be persuaded, we fell silent, saying: "The will of the Lord be done.

ACT 21:15

KJV
And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
BSB
After these days, we packed up and went on to Jerusalem.
Koinōnos
After these days we made preparations and were going up to Jerusalem.

ACT 21:16

KJV
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
BSB
Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to stay at the home of Mnason the Cypriot, an early disciple.
Koinōnos
Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus — an early disciple — with whom we were to lodge.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 21:9

  • virgins:The word translated 'virgins' here specifically refers to unmarried women, emphasizing their status as maidens rather than simply their age.

ACT 21:10

  • Judea:The term used here for 'prophet' describes someone who speaks on behalf of a divine being, interpreting and declaring their will, not merely predicting the future.

ACT 21:11

  • belt:The word translated 'belt' refers to a sash or girdle, often worn around the waist or hips, and could be used to secure clothing or carry items.

ACT 21:12

  • were begging:The word translated 'were begging' carries a strong sense of earnest appeal, entreaty, or even urging, rather than simply asking for alms.