Acts 21:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 21:4 describes a pivotal moment in Paul's journey to Jerusalem, where he and his companions, after finding disciples in Tyre, tarried for seven days. During this time, these Spirit-filled believers warned Paul, through divine inspiration, not to continue his journey to Jerusalem. This verse introduces a significant tension between Paul's resolute conviction to go to Jerusalem and clear prophetic warnings from the Holy Spirit, setting the stage for the trials and tribulations he would face.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 21:4 is situated within the final leg of Paul's third missionary journey, as chronicled in the book of Acts. Chapters 20 and 21 detail Paul's determined progression towards Jerusalem, despite repeated warnings about the suffering that awaits him. In [Acts 20:22-23](/acts/20-22-23 "Acts 20:22-23 - Paul's Resolve to Go to Jerusalem"), Paul himself declares that he is "bound in the spirit" to go to Jerusalem, anticipating "bonds and afflictions." The stop in Tyre, a significant port city, is one of several brief pauses on this journey (cf. [Acts 21:1-3](/acts/21-1-3 "Acts 21:1-3 - Paul's Journey to Tyre")), each marked by encounters with local believers. The warning from the disciples in Tyre directly precedes similar, even more explicit, prophetic warnings from Agabus in [Acts 21:10-11](/acts/21-10-11 "Acts 21:10-11 - Agabus's Prophecy to Paul"), intensifying the narrative tension surrounding Paul's unwavering resolve.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city, renowned for its maritime trade and strategic location on the Mediterranean coast. As a bustling commercial hub, it would have been a natural place for the early Christian message to spread, facilitated by merchants and travelers. The presence of "disciples" in Tyre underscores the rapid expansion of the early church beyond its Jewish origins and into Gentile territories. The practice of "tarrying seven days" was common in ancient travel, often dictated by ship schedules or the desire for extended fellowship. In the early church, such gatherings were vital for mutual encouragement, teaching, and the exercise of spiritual gifts, including prophecy. The concept of divine guidance "through the Spirit" was central to the life of the early church, echoing Old Testament prophetic traditions and demonstrating the Holy Spirit's active role in guiding believers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse highlights several crucial themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Guidance and Prophetic Warning**. The message to Paul, conveyed "through the Spirit," demonstrates the Holy Spirit's active communication within the early church, providing foresight and direction. This raises important questions about discerning God's will, especially when warnings of danger are given. Secondly, the passage underscores the importance of **Christian Fellowship and Hospitality**. Paul's seven-day stay with the disciples in Tyre illustrates the strong communal bonds among early believers, who offered support, shelter, and spiritual counsel to one another. This fellowship was a hallmark of the burgeoning Christian movement, as seen throughout [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts - History of the Early Church"). Lastly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Obedience and Suffering**, foreshadowing the trials Paul would endure in Jerusalem, a theme he himself anticipates in [Acts 20:23](/acts/20-23 "Acts 20:23 - Paul's Expectation of Bonds and Afflictions").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **tarried (Greek, _epiménō_):** From G1961, meaning "to stay over, i.e. remain (figuratively, persevere)." This word emphasizes the deliberate and extended nature of Paul's stay in Tyre, suggesting a period of intentional fellowship and rest, rather than a mere fleeting stop. It highlights the depth of connection Paul shared with these newly found disciples.
* **through (Greek, _diá_):** From G1223, a primary preposition denoting "the channel of an act." In this context, it unequivocally points to the Holy Spirit as the direct medium or source through which the disciples received and delivered their message to Paul. It signifies divine agency, not merely human opinion or foresight.
* **Spirit (Greek, _pneûma_):** From G4151, referring to "a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit... or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit." Here, it specifically denotes the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who empowers and guides believers, confirming the divine origin of the warning given to Paul.
* **not go up (Greek, _mḗ anabaínō_):** Combining G3361 ("not," a particle of qualified negation) and G305 ("to go up"). This phrase represents a direct, divinely inspired prohibition or strong warning. The negative particle `mḗ` implies a subjective negation, often used in prohibitions or expressions of doubt, suggesting that the Spirit's message was a clear directive against Paul's intended action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And finding disciples":** This phrase immediately establishes Paul's connection with the existing Christian community in Tyre. It implies that Paul and his companions actively sought out fellow believers, a common practice for apostles and missionaries, highlighting the burgeoning network of early churches.
* **"we tarried there seven days":** This detail underscores the duration of their stay, suggesting a period of significant fellowship, teaching, and mutual encouragement. The seven-day period might also allude to a full week, allowing for a Sabbath gathering, further emphasizing the depth of their interaction.
* **"who said to Paul through the Spirit":** This is the crucial clause, identifying the source and nature of the message. The disciples were not speaking their own minds but were conduits for the Holy Spirit. This indicates the active presence of prophetic gifts within the early church, where God communicated His will and warnings directly to His servants.
* **"that he should not go up to Jerusalem":** This is the content of the Spirit's message, a clear and direct warning or prohibition against Paul's intended journey. The phrasing suggests a divine directive, raising the central tension of the narrative: why would Paul proceed despite such a clear warning from the Spirit?

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the impending difficulties Paul will face in Jerusalem, which are explicitly detailed in subsequent chapters. The Spirit's warning serves as a narrative device to build suspense and underscore the gravity of Paul's decision. **Divine Communication** is a central element, as the Holy Spirit directly intervenes in the narrative through the disciples, emphasizing God's active involvement in guiding His people. This prophetic warning also creates **Narrative Tension** between Paul's unwavering resolve (expressed earlier in [Acts 20:22-23](/acts/20-22-23 "Paul's resolve to go to Jerusalem")) and the Spirit's seemingly contradictory directive, prompting the reader to ponder the nature of divine will and human obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 21:4 highlights the complex nature of divine guidance, particularly when it involves warnings of suffering. The Holy Spirit, who had previously compelled Paul to go to Jerusalem (cf. [Acts 20:22](/acts/20-22 "Paul's feeling compelled by the Spirit")), now warns him *not* to go, through the mouths of other Spirit-filled believers. This apparent contradiction is resolved not by viewing the Spirit as inconsistent, but by understanding that God often warns His servants *of* the dangers on a divinely appointed path, rather than *from* the path itself. Paul's subsequent actions reveal his interpretation: the warnings were not prohibitions to disobey God's call, but rather preparations for the trials he was destined to endure for the sake of the Gospel. This demonstrates a mature understanding of obedience, where God's will may lead through suffering, and prophetic warnings serve to strengthen, not deter, the faithful.

* [Acts 20:22-24](/acts/20-22-24 "Paul's Resolve and Willingness to Suffer")
* [Acts 21:10-14](/acts/21-10-14 "Agabus's Prophecy and Paul's Acceptance")
* [Philippians 3:7-11](/philippians/3-7-11 "Paul's Willingness to Suffer for Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 21:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers navigating God's will and responding to divine warnings. It challenges us to consider that God's guidance is not always a clear, unimpeded path, but may include forewarnings of hardship. We are called to discern the nature of such warnings: are they prohibitions, or are they preparations? Paul's example teaches us that unwavering commitment to a perceived divine call, even in the face of significant peril, can be an act of profound faith. This passage also underscores the vital role of the believing community in our spiritual journeys. The disciples in Tyre, empowered by the Spirit, provided crucial insight, reminding us that God often speaks through the collective wisdom and prophetic gifts present within the church. We must cultivate a listening ear to the Spirit's voice, whether it comes through personal conviction, the Scriptures, or the counsel of trusted spiritual mentors, always seeking to align our will with God's ultimate purpose, even when that path leads through difficulty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between a divine warning to avoid a path and a divine warning to prepare for difficulties on a path God has called me to?**
* **In what ways do I actively seek and value the spiritual counsel and prophetic insights from my Christian community?**
* **Am I willing to pursue God's call on my life, even if it means facing hardship or suffering, trusting that He will equip and sustain me?**

### FAQ
**Did Paul disobey the Holy Spirit by going to Jerusalem?**

Answer: No, Paul did not disobey the Holy Spirit. The narrative in Acts suggests that the Holy Spirit was both compelling Paul to go to Jerusalem (as stated by Paul himself in [Acts 20:22](/acts/20-22 "Acts 20:22 - Paul Bound in the Spirit")) and warning him *of* the dangers he would face there. The warnings from the disciples in Tyre (Acts 21:4) and later from Agabus in [Acts 21:10-11](/acts/21-10-11 "Acts 21:10-11 - Agabus's Prophecy") were not absolute prohibitions, but rather divine preparations, informing Paul of the suffering that awaited him. Paul understood these as confirmations of his divinely appointed mission, which included suffering for Christ's sake, rather than a command to turn back. His unwavering resolve, despite tears and pleas from others, demonstrated his deep conviction that he was fulfilling God's will, even if it meant imprisonment and affliction (cf. [Acts 20:23-24](/acts/20-23-24 "Acts 20:23-24 - Paul's Determination to Finish His Course")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 21:4, with its depiction of Paul's Spirit-led journey towards suffering in Jerusalem, powerfully foreshadows the path of Christ Himself. Just as the Holy Spirit warned Paul of impending bonds and afflictions, so too did Jesus repeatedly foretell His own suffering, death, and resurrection to His disciples (e.g., [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection"), [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Foretells His Suffering")). Paul's unwavering resolve to fulfill his mission, even in the face of prophetic warnings about suffering, mirrors Christ's own determination to go to Jerusalem, "setting His face" towards the cross (cf. [Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")). Both Paul and Jesus demonstrate that true obedience to God's will may involve embracing suffering as an integral part of the divine plan, leading to greater glory. Ultimately, Paul's journey to Jerusalem, culminating in his imprisonment and witness before kings, serves as a poignant echo of Christ's own journey to Jerusalem, where He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fulfilling the ultimate purpose of God through His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, thereby opening the way for all who believe to experience new life in Him (cf. [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

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:

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.