Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem; Acts 21:1-16 Part 4

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

Paul and his company stayed for several days at Cæsarea. Why Paul saw fit to stay so long there, and to make so little haste at the latter end of his journey to Jerusalem, when he seemed so much in haste at the beginning of it, we cannot tell; but we are sure he did not stay either there or anywhere else to be idle; he measured his time by days, and numbered them. While he was there, Agabus the prophet came to Cæsarea from Judea; We have read about him before. It was he, who came from Jerusalem to Antioch, to foretell a general famine, (Acts 11:27-28). Notice how God dispenses his gifts variously. To Paul was given the word of wisdom and knowledge, as an apostle, by the Spirit, and the gifts of healing; to Agabus, and to Philip's daughters, was given prophecy, by the same Spirit, the foretelling of things to come, which came to pass according to the prediction. (See 1Corinthians 12:8, 10). It seemed as if Agabus came on purpose to Cæsarea, to meet Paul with this prophetic intelligence. 3. He foretold Paul's bonds at Jerusalem. Agabus took Paul's girdle, when he laid it by, or perhaps took it from about him, and with it bound first his own hands, and then his own feet, or perhaps bound his hands and feet together; this was designed both to confirm the prophecy (it was as sure to be done as if it were done already) and to affect those about him with it, because that which we see usually makes a greater impression upon us than that which we only hear about. Paul had this express warning given him of his troubles, that he might prepare for them, and that when they came they might be no surprise or terror to him; the general notice given us that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God should be of the same use to us.