Acts 21:12

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when {G5613} we heard {G191} these things {G5023}, both {G5037} we {G2249}, and {G2532} they of that place {G1786}, besought {G3870} him {G846} not {G3361} to go up {G305} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When we heard this, both we and the people there begged him not to go up to Yerushalayim;

Berean Standard Bible

When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 21:12 captures a poignant moment in the Apostle Paul's final journey to Jerusalem, where he is met with earnest pleas from his traveling companions and the local believers in Caesarea. Having just received a vivid prophetic warning from Agabus about the severe suffering and imprisonment awaiting him in the capital, those present, out of deep love and concern for his safety, collectively implored Paul not to proceed with his intended destination. This verse underscores the tension between human affection and a divinely perceived calling, setting the stage for Paul's unwavering resolve.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 21:12 is situated within the concluding chapters of Paul's third missionary journey, as he makes his way towards Jerusalem, a journey he feels divinely compelled to undertake despite repeated warnings. Immediately preceding this verse, in [Acts 21:10-11](/acts/21-10-11 "Acts 21:10-11 - Agabus's Prophecy"), the prophet Agabus performs a symbolic action, binding himself with Paul's belt to illustrate the impending imprisonment and delivery of Paul into the hands of the Gentiles in Jerusalem. This dramatic prophecy serves as the direct catalyst for the emotional appeal recorded in Acts 21:12. The collective plea from Paul's companions, including Luke (indicated by "we"), and the local disciples in Caesarea, highlights the gravity of Agabus's message and their genuine concern for Paul's well-being. The narrative then swiftly moves to Paul's resolute response in [Acts 21:13-14](/acts/21-13-14 "Acts 21:13-14 - Paul's Unwavering Resolve"), where he reaffirms his willingness to suffer for the name of Jesus, ultimately leading to the group's submission to God's will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Caesarea Maritima, where this scene unfolds, was a significant Roman port city and the administrative capital of the Roman province of Judea. As such, it was a cosmopolitan center, but also a place where tensions between Jewish and Roman authorities, as well as between different Jewish factions, often simmered. Paul's decision to go to Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish religious and political life, was fraught with danger, especially given his mission to the Gentiles and the accusations that often followed him regarding his alleged disrespect for the Law and the Temple. Prophets like Agabus were recognized figures in the early Christian community, and their prophetic pronouncements were taken seriously, often involving symbolic actions to convey their message powerfully. The cultural expectation would have been for Paul's friends to try to protect him from perceived danger, especially given the clear and dire warning.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the immediate surrounding narrative, powerfully illustrates several key themes. First, it highlights the **tension between human concern and divine will**. The loving appeals of Paul's companions stem from a natural human desire to protect a beloved friend from suffering, yet Paul perceives a higher, divine imperative. Second, Paul's subsequent response (though not in this verse, it is the immediate consequence) showcases his **unwavering resolve and obedience to Christ's call**, even in the face of certain hardship. This echoes his earlier declarations, such as being "[bound in the spirit](/acts/20-22 "Acts 20:22 - Paul Bound in the Spirit")" to go to Jerusalem, fully aware of the "[bonds and afflictions](/acts/20-23 "Acts 20:23 - Paul's Expectation of Suffering")" awaiting him. Finally, the passage implicitly emphasizes **the cost of discipleship**, demonstrating that following God's path can involve personal sacrifice, danger, and even the sorrow of parting from well-meaning friends who cannot fully comprehend the depth of a divine calling.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb (G191) signifies to hear in various senses, including to give audience, come to the ears, understand, or be reported. In this context, it implies not merely an auditory perception but a comprehension and emotional reception of Agabus's prophecy, which then prompted their urgent reaction. The hearing was complete and impactful.
* **besought (Greek, _parakaléō'_):** Derived from _pará_ (beside) and _kaléō_ (to call), this verb (G3870) means "to call near," encompassing inviting, invoking, imploring, exhorting, or comforting. Here, it conveys an earnest, persistent pleading or entreaty. The imperfect tense of the original Greek verb (παρεκαλοῦμεν, _parekaloumen_) suggests a continuous or repeated action, indicating that their pleas were not a single request but an ongoing, fervent effort to dissuade Paul.
* **to go up (Greek, _anabaínō'_):** From _aná_ (up) and the base of _básis_ (a step), this verb (G305) means to go up, ascend, climb, or arise. It literally describes the upward journey from Caesarea (at sea level) to Jerusalem (situated on a hill), but also carries a figurative sense of undertaking a significant, often challenging, journey. The negative particle (G3361, _mḗ_) preceding it emphasizes their strong desire for Paul not to undertake this ascent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when we heard these things":** This clause establishes the immediate cause of the subsequent action. "These things" refers directly to the prophecy delivered by Agabus in [Acts 21:10-11](/acts/21-10-11 "Acts 21:10-11 - Agabus's Prophecy"), which vividly detailed the suffering and imprisonment Paul would face in Jerusalem. The use of "we" indicates Luke, the author of Acts, was present and personally heard the prophecy, sharing in the collective concern.
* **"both we, and they of that place":** This phrase specifies the composition of the group making the plea. "We" includes Paul's traveling companions (Luke, Aristarchus, Trophimus, etc.), while "they of that place" (G1786, _entópios_) refers to the local believers and residents of Caesarea who were present and also heard Agabus's warning. This highlights a unified and widespread concern for Paul's well-being, transcending his immediate circle.
* **"besought him not to go up to Jerusalem":** This is the core action of the verse. The verb "besought" (G3870, _parakaléō_) in the imperfect tense emphasizes the earnest and perhaps repeated nature of their entreaty. Their plea was a direct and urgent appeal to Paul to reconsider his dangerous journey to the capital city, motivated by love and fear for his safety in light of the prophetic warning.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its emotional weight and thematic significance. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the pleas are a direct response to Agabus's prophecy, which explicitly foretells Paul's impending suffering and imprisonment in Jerusalem. This creates a sense of dramatic tension and anticipation for the reader. The collective "we" and "they of that place" appealing to Paul evokes **Pathos**, drawing on the reader's empathy for the concerned friends and for Paul, who is facing a difficult choice between their loving counsel and his divine calling. There is also an element of **Irony** in the situation: those who love Paul most are attempting to dissuade him from a path that, from his perspective, is God's will and essential for the advancement of the Gospel. Their well-intentioned intervention, while born of love, stands in contrast to Paul's singular focus on obedience to Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 21:12 presents a profound theological tension between human prudence and divine leading, a recurring theme in biblical narratives. The collective plea to Paul, born of genuine love and concern, represents the natural human desire to avoid suffering and protect those we care for. However, Paul's subsequent response (Acts 21:13-14) reveals a higher obedience—a conviction that God's will for him involved suffering for the sake of the Gospel. This highlights the sovereignty of God's plan, which often transcends human understanding and comfort, and the call to radical obedience for those committed to Christ. It also underscores the importance of a community that cares deeply, even if their counsel does not align with God's ultimate purpose for an individual.

* [Matthew 16:21-23](/matthew/16-21-23 "Matthew 16:21-23 - Peter's Rebuke of Jesus")
* [Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")
* [Hebrews 12:1-3](/hebrews/12-1-3 "Hebrews 12:1-3 - Running the Race with Endurance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage offers rich ground for personal reflection on discerning God's will, especially when it seems to contradict human wisdom or the loving counsel of others. Paul's companions, including the beloved physician Luke, genuinely sought to protect him, yet Paul's conviction was rooted in a deeper understanding of his apostolic mission and God's sovereign plan. For believers today, this raises crucial questions: How do we differentiate between well-meaning advice and a clear divine mandate? What is the source of our conviction when facing difficult or dangerous paths? It calls us to cultivate a spiritual sensitivity that can discern God's voice even amidst the clamor of human concern, recognizing that true obedience may sometimes lead us through trials. Yet, it also reminds us of the value of Christian community and the expression of genuine love, even when our counsel is ultimately overridden by God's higher purposes. Our love for one another should prompt us to care deeply, even if our understanding of God's plan for another is limited.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt a strong conviction about a path that others, out of love, tried to dissuade you from? How did you discern God's will in that situation?**
* **How can we offer loving counsel to others without imposing our own fears or limitations on their potential obedience to God's unique call?**
* **What are the "Jerusalems" in your life—the difficult or costly paths you sense God is calling you to, despite the warnings or concerns of others?**
* **How does Paul's example here encourage you to embrace courage and perseverance in your own walk of faith, even when it involves suffering or misunderstanding?**

### FAQ
**Why were Paul's companions and the local believers so insistent that he not go to Jerusalem?**

Answer: Their insistence stemmed directly from the vivid and dramatic prophecy delivered by Agabus in [Acts 21:10-11](/acts/21-10-11 "Acts 21:10-11 - Agabus's Prophecy"). Agabus, a recognized prophet, took Paul's belt and bound his own hands and feet, declaring that the Jews in Jerusalem would similarly bind Paul and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. This clear and dire warning, coupled with their deep affection for Paul, naturally led them to plead with him to avoid such certain danger and suffering. They were motivated by genuine love and a desire to protect him.

**Who were "we" and "they of that place" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: "We" refers to Luke, the author of the Book of Acts, and Paul's immediate traveling companions who were with him on this journey. This indicates Luke's eyewitness presence at this significant event. "They of that place" (Greek: _entópios_) refers to the local believers and residents of Caesarea who were present and also heard Agabus's prophecy. This shows that the concern for Paul's safety was widespread among the Christian community there, not just limited to his closest associates.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 21:12, with its depiction of Paul's companions pleading with him to avoid Jerusalem and the suffering foretold, powerfully echoes the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment found in Jesus's own resolute journey to Jerusalem. Just as Paul was warned of bonds and afflictions, Jesus Himself "[set his face to go to Jerusalem](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")" knowing full well the suffering, betrayal, and crucifixion that awaited Him there. His disciples, like Peter in [Matthew 16:21-23](/matthew/16-21-23 "Matthew 16:21-23 - Peter Rebukes Jesus"), also attempted to dissuade Him from this path, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." Yet, Jesus, like Paul, was unwavering in His divine calling, understanding that His suffering was not an unfortunate detour but the very heart of God's redemptive plan. Paul's willingness to face imprisonment and death for the sake of the Gospel (as he states in [Acts 21:13](/acts/21-13 "Acts 21:13 - Paul's Willingness to Suffer")) is a profound reflection of Christ's perfect obedience unto death on the cross, through which He accomplished salvation for all who believe. Paul's journey to Jerusalem, culminating in his arrest and eventual journey to Rome, mirrors Christ's suffering and ultimate triumph, demonstrating that true discipleship often involves embracing the path of self-sacrifice in imitation of the Savior, who "[endured the cross, despising the shame](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")".

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 20:22

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

Matthew 16:21

¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 16:23

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Acts 21:4

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