Acts 21:4 | Bible Study

Acts 21:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Having searched out the talmidim there, we remained for a week. Guided by the Spirit, they told Sha’ul not to go up to Yerushalayim;

Berean Standard Bible:

We 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.

American Standard Version:

And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} finding^{G429} disciples^{G3101}, we tarried^{G1961} there^{G847} seven^{G2033} days^{G2250}: who^{G3748} said^{G3004} to Paul^{G3972} through^{G1223} the Spirit^{G4151}, that he should^{G305} not^{G3361} go up^{G305} to^{G1519} Jerusalem^{G2419}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Acts 20:22

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

Acts 20:23

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Acts 21:10

And as we tarried [there] many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

Acts 21:12

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 20:6

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Acts 20:7

¶ And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Acts 28:14

Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

Commentary for Acts 21:4

Acts 21:4 is a verse set within the narrative of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys in the New Testament. The historical context of this verse is rooted in Paul's third and final missionary journey, which took him through Asia Minor and Greece before he set his sights on returning to Jerusalem. The themes present in this verse include divine guidance, the tension between prophetic insight and personal conviction, and the early Christian community's sense of solidarity and shared mission.

In the verse, Paul and his companions, upon arriving in Tyre, meet with a group of disciples. The text specifies that they stayed with these believers for seven days. During this time, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, these local disciples warn Paul against proceeding to Jerusalem. Their warning is based on a prophetic insight that Paul would face danger and possible imprisonment if he continued his journey to the holy city.

This verse reflects the early church's practice of hospitality and communal discernment of God's will. The disciples' warning to Paul is an example of the charismatic nature of the early Christian community, where believers were open to receiving and sharing divine messages. It also highlights the apostle's determination and sense of duty, as despite these warnings, Paul chooses to continue on to Jerusalem, demonstrating his commitment to fulfill what he understood to be his divine calling, even in the face of potential suffering. This moment in Acts captures the complex interplay between the counsel of the Christian community and the individual's response to that guidance, a dynamic that continues to be relevant in Christian decision-making and discipleship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G429
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀνευρίσκω
Transliteration: aneurískō
Pronunciation: an-yoo-ris'-ko
Description: from ἀνά and εὑρίσκω; to find out:--find.
Strong's Number: G3101
There are 252 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μαθητής
Transliteration: mathētḗs
Pronunciation: math-ay-tes'
Description: from μανθάνω; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.
Strong's Number: G1961
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπιμένω
Transliteration: epiménō
Pronunciation: ep-ee-men'-o
Description: from ἐπί and μένω; to stay over, i.e. remain (figuratively, persevere):--abide (in), continue (in), tarry.
Strong's Number: G847
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτοῦ
Transliteration: autoû
Pronunciation: ow-too'
Description: genitive (i.e. possessive) of αὐτός, used as an adverb of location; properly, belonging to the same spot, i.e. in this (or that) place:--(t-)here.
Strong's Number: G2033
There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἑπτά
Transliteration: heptá
Pronunciation: hep-tah'
Description: a primary number; seven:--seven.
Strong's Number: G2250
There are 366 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμέρα
Transliteration: hēméra
Pronunciation: hay-mer'-ah
Description: feminine (with ὥρα implied) of a derivative of (to sit; akin to the base of ἑδραῖος) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
Strong's Number: G3748
There are 148 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅστις
Transliteration: hóstis
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: from ὅς and τὶς; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare ὅτι.
Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Strong's Number: G3972
There are 160 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Παῦλος
Transliteration: Paûlos
Pronunciation: pow'-los
Description: of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus.
Strong's Number: G1223
There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διά
Transliteration: diá
Pronunciation: dee-ah'
Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Strong's Number: G4151
There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πνεῦμα
Transliteration: pneûma
Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
Strong's Number: G305
There are 410 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀναβαίνω
Transliteration: anabaínō
Pronunciation: an-ab-ah'-ee-no
Description: from ἀνά and the base of βάσις; to go up (literally or figuratively):--arise, ascend (up), climb (go, grow, rise, spring) up, come (up).
Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Strong's Number: G2419
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἱερουσαλήμ
Transliteration: Hierousalḗm
Pronunciation: hee-er-oo-sal-ame'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם); Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem. Compare Ἱεροσόλυμα.

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