Acts 21:1-23

1 The party made a quick journey. The various terms, "running straight," "looming up, and leaving," suggest that they sailed before the wind, which blows from the northwest at that time of the year.

4 We cannot take this statement "who said to Paul, through the spirit, not to be stepping on board to Jerusalem" as a prohibition by the Spirit of God, for Paul was acting in closest accord with the directions of the spirit. Rather, they knew, through the spirit, what was awaiting Paul in Jerusalem, and they, like all the disciples, were anxious to spare him the trials and sufferings which would surely be his lot if he persisted in his purpose to go on to Jerusalem. But Paul was emulating the Spirit and conduct of his Master, Who set His face as a flint to go to Jerusalem, when He was well aware of all the shame and suffering which should befall Him in the city. Instead of blaming Paul for his persistence we may rather marvel at the steadfastness of his purpose and unflinching courage, not only in view of the trials ahead, but the importunities of his fond friends, who were compelled to recognize that his steadfast purpose grew out of clearer discernment of the Master's will, and so acquiesced (14).

6 What demonstrations of affection were witnessed wherever the apostle paused to say farewell! Following the party with the wives and children as far as the beach, after prayer they "pull away" from one another. Surely Paul had won many hearts who could not but dread the dangers which were ahead of him!

8 More than twenty years have passed since Philip, the evangelist, after his meeting with the Ethiopian eunuch, was left at Caesarea (Act_8:40). Whether he has remained there ever since, or had his headquarters there, does not seem clear, though he now seems to be a permanent resident. His duties as one of the seven do not seem to have detained him in Jerusalem.

9 We are not informed whether the daughters of Philip added their warnings to the rest, but there seems to be no reason for mentioning their gift here unless they, too, confirmed the word of the others.

11 This is probably that same Agabus who came down to Antioch and prophesied the famine under Claudius Cresar (Act_11:28). He now reappears under similar circumstances. There is to be a great spiritual famine in Israel. The indications of it are found in their treatment of Paul, which was set forth in the style of the ancient prophets. This was the last intimation he had, and it so impressed all his friends that they once more sought to dissuade him from entering the city of Jerusalem. We may see how thoroughly he was convinced that he was in the Lord's will by his reply to their entreaties. He was no fanatic, bent on carrying out his own will, unmindful of the feelings of his friends. His presence in Jerusalem was necessary, not only that he might fulfill his promise to contribute to the support of the poor of the Circumcision (Gal_2:10), but that the apostasy of the nation, including former believers, might be manifested, and thus his last and crowning ministry, which was to follow their failure, might be made known to the nations.

18 The absence of the apostles from the leadership of the saints in the holy city and the elevation of James, the brother of the Lord, to the place of authority show how the apostasy had progressed amongst them. The Lord's commission to the twelve was practically ignored,

while the physical relationship of James made him their chief. Even at Paul's first visit, though he saw none of the apostles except Cephas, he saw James, who already seemed to have a high place (Gal_1:19). At the conference concerning circumcision Peter was quite overshadowed by James, who proposes the decrees and carries his point (Act_15:13-21). Paul gives him a higher place than John or Peter, when he says that James, Cephas and John seemed to be the pillars at Jerusalem (Gal_2:9). Soon afterward this becomes evident in Cephas' conduct at Antioch. He acted in accord with the decrees until some came from James: then he was afraid of the circumcisionists (Gal_2:12). James was at the head of those believers who led the Galatians astray and were the source of much of the trouble in Corinth. James means HEEL, or Circumventer.