Acts 21:14

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

And {G1161} when he {G846} would {G3982} not {G3361} be persuaded {G3982}, we ceased {G2270}, saying {G2036}, The will {G2307} of the Lord {G2962} be done {G1096}.

And when he would not be convinced, we said, “May the Lord’s will be done,” and kept quiet.

When he would not be dissuaded, we fell silent and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

Acts 21:14 marks a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's journey to Jerusalem, highlighting a profound lesson in submission to divine purpose.

Context

This verse immediately follows a dramatic scene in Caesarea where the prophet Agabus, through a symbolic action, foretold that Paul would be bound in Jerusalem and delivered to the Gentiles (Acts 21:11). Paul's companions and the local disciples, deeply concerned for his safety, earnestly pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem. However, Paul remained resolute, declaring his readiness to suffer and even die for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). When their appeals proved fruitless, the group, recognizing Paul's unshakeable conviction and perhaps the divine hand at play, yielded.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Will: The central theme is the acknowledgment that God's plan will ultimately unfold, regardless of human desires or fears. The phrase "The will of the Lord be done" expresses a deep theological understanding that God is in control.
  • Submission and Acceptance: The companions' decision to cease persuading Paul demonstrates a powerful act of surrender. It signifies moving from human reasoning and emotion to trusting God's overarching wisdom, even when the path ahead seems perilous. This echoes the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane, "not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).
  • Faith Amidst Uncertainty: Despite the ominous prophecy, the believers chose to trust in God's purpose for Paul's life and ministry. This decision reflects a mature faith that embraces uncertainty, confident that God works all things for good (Romans 8:28).

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "The will of the Lord be done" (Greek: to thelēma tou Kyriou genestō) is a direct echo of the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). The Greek word for "will" (thelēma) denotes not merely a wish, but a deliberate purpose, a fixed intention, or an active decree. This indicates the companions were not resigned to fate, but actively acknowledging and submitting to God's predetermined plan for Paul and the spread of the Gospel.

Practical Application

Acts 21:14 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Discerning God's Will: While we should pray for guidance and seek wise counsel, there are times when God's direction for us or others becomes clear and unalterable.
  • Embracing Surrender: Not every outcome will align with our comfort or desires. True spiritual maturity often involves the difficult but liberating act of surrendering our plans and fears to the Lord's perfect will.
  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: Even when circumstances appear challenging or dangerous, we are called to trust that God is sovereign and has a purpose. This verse encourages us to find peace in knowing that His will is always good, even if we don't fully understand it at the moment. As Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 22:42

    Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

  • Matthew 26:42

    He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

  • Matthew 26:39

    And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].

  • 2 Kings 20:19

    Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, [Is it] not [good], if peace and truth be in my days?

  • 2 Samuel 15:25

    And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me [both] it, and his habitation:

  • 2 Samuel 15:26

    But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

  • Matthew 6:10

    Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.

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