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Acts 21:11

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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.

And {G2532} when he was come {G2064} unto {G4314} us {G2248},{G2532} he took {G142} Paul's {G3972} girdle {G2223}, and {G5037} bound {G1210} his own {G846} hands {G5495} and {G2532} feet {G4228}, and said {G2036}, Thus {G3592} saith {G3004} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151}, So {G3779} shall {G1210} the Jews {G2453} at {G1722} Jerusalem {G2419} bind {G1210} the man {G435} that {G3739} owneth {G2076} this {G3778} girdle {G2223}, and {G2532} shall deliver {G3860} him into {G1519} the hands {G5495} of the Gentiles {G1484}.

to visit us. He took Sha’ul’s belt, tied up his own hands and feet and said, “Here is what the Ruach HaKodesh says: the man who owns this belt — the Judeans in Yerushalayim will tie him up just like this and hand him over to the Goyim.”

Coming over to us, he took Paul’s 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.’”

And coming to us, and taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 21:11

Acts 21:11 records a vivid prophetic demonstration by Agabus, a prophet from Judea, concerning the Apostle Paul's impending suffering in Jerusalem. This verse is part of a series of warnings Paul received as he journeyed towards the city, yet remained resolute in his mission.

Context

Prior to this verse, Paul and his companions had arrived in Caesarea, staying at the house of Philip the evangelist. It was here that Agabus, who had previously prophesied a great famine (Acts 11:28), arrived. The context highlights Paul's unwavering resolve to go to Jerusalem, despite repeated warnings from various disciples and the Holy Spirit itself about the dangers awaiting him. This particular prophecy from Agabus served as a stark, visual confirmation of what Paul was to face, reinforcing the divine nature of the warning. The concern of Paul's companions is evident in the verses immediately following this one (Acts 21:12).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Warning and Guidance: The phrase "Thus saith the Holy Ghost" underscores that this was not merely Agabus's prediction, but a direct message from God. It illustrates how the Holy Spirit guided and prepared believers, even for difficult circumstances. Such divine foresight allowed Paul to proceed with awareness, not ignorance.
  • Prophetic Action: Agabus's dramatic act of taking Paul's girdle (a common item for travelers, used as a belt or purse) and binding his own hands and feet was a powerful visual aid, a common practice among Old Testament prophets (e.g., Jeremiah with a yoke, Jeremiah 27:2; Isaiah walking naked, Isaiah 20:3). This made the message unforgettable.
  • Impending Suffering and Persecution: The prophecy clearly states that "the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver [him] into the hands of the Gentiles." This foretells Paul's arrest by Jewish authorities in Jerusalem and his subsequent handover to Roman (Gentile) power, initiating a long period of imprisonment and trials, as detailed in later chapters of Acts (Acts 21:33 onwards).
  • Paul's Resolve: Despite the gravity of the warning, Paul's response (in Acts 21:13) demonstrates his unwavering commitment to his call, even unto suffering and death, for the sake of the Gospel.

Linguistic Insights

The term "girdle" (Greek: zōnē) refers to a belt, often used by travelers to secure their garments or carry money and provisions. Agabus's act of binding himself with Paul's specific girdle was a symbolic transfer of the impending fate to Paul, making the prophecy personal and immediate. The phrase "Thus saith the Holy Ghost" (Greek: Tade legei to Pneuma to Hagion) emphasizes the divine authority behind the message, leaving no doubt that it was a direct revelation from God.

Practical Application

This passage reminds believers that following God's will does not always guarantee an easy path; sometimes, it leads to suffering and persecution. However, it also illustrates God's faithfulness in warning and preparing His servants.

  • Preparation for Trials: God often prepares His people for challenges ahead, not necessarily to deter them, but to strengthen their faith and resolve.
  • Obedience in Suffering: Paul's example teaches us about the importance of obedience to God's call, even when it involves personal cost. His willingness to face imprisonment and death for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:24) is a powerful model of commitment.
  • Trust in Divine Sovereignty: Despite the clear danger, Paul trusted in God's sovereign plan, knowing that even his suffering could advance the Gospel. This perspective can encourage us to trust God's plan in our own lives, even amidst adversity.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 21:33 (7 votes)

    Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded [him] to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

  • 1 Samuel 15:27 (4 votes)

    And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

  • 1 Samuel 15:28 (4 votes)

    And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, [that is] better than thou.

  • Jeremiah 13:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

  • Jeremiah 13:11 (4 votes)

    For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

  • 1 Kings 11:29 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two [were] alone in the field:

  • 1 Kings 11:31 (3 votes)

    And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: