Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 21:11
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.
11. And when he was come he took and bound his own hands and feet ] The oldest MSS. have “feet and hands,” and the Rev. Ver. adopts the Greek construction, “ And coming and taking he bound, &c.” His adoption of this figurative action makes it almost certain that the man was a Jew. Similar actions are common with the Old Testament prophets. Thus Isaiah (Act 20:3) walks naked and barefoot. Jeremiah (Act 13:5) hides his girdle by the river Euphrates, and (Act 19:10-11) breaks the potter’s vessel in the Valley of Hinnom; Ezekiel (Act 4:1-3) draws on a tile a picture of the siege of Jerusalem, and (Act 5:1-4) cuts off his hair and burns and destroys it as God commanded. So too Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron (1Ki 22:11). With this act of Agabus may be compared our Lord’s words to St Peter (Joh 21:18).
The girdle was that band with which the loose Oriental robe was drawn together at the waist. It was of considerable size, and served the purposes of a pocket, the money being carried in it. To judge from the verb employed in describing the prophet’s action, it seems that St Paul had laid aside his girdle and that it was taken up by Agabus from the place where it lay.
and said Gentiles ] That we may observe the Apostle’s zeal to carry out the Lord’s will, once more we are told how the Holy Ghost made known to him through others that he was about to be made a prisoner, and still we see him go forward unmoved, because though others might know that he was to suffer, and might in their affection strive to hold him back, he was convinced that such suffering was the Lord’s way for him, and so he went on.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He took Pauls girdle – The loose, flowing robes, or outer garments, which were worn in Eastern countries, were bound by a girdle, or sash, around the body when they ran, or labored, or walked. Such a girdle was therefore an indispensable part of dress.
And bound his own hands and feet – As emblematic of what would be done by the Jews to Paul. It was common for the prophets to perform actions which were emblematic of the events which they predicted. The design was to make the prediction more forcible and impressive by representing it to the eye. Thus, Jeremiah was directed to bury his girdle by the Euphrates, to denote the approaching captivity of the Jews, Jer 13:4. Thus, he was directed to make bands and yokes, and to put them around his neck, as a sign to Edom and Moab, etc., Jer 27:2-3. Thus, the act of the potter was emblematic of the destruction that was coming upon the nation of the Jews, Jer 18:4. So Isaiah walked naked and barefoot as a sign of the captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia, Isa 20:3-4. Compare Eze 4:12, etc.
So shall the Jews … – This was fulfilled. See Act 21:33, and Acts 24.
Into the hands of the Gentiles – To be tried; for the Romans then had jurisdiction over Judea.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. Took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands, c.] This was no doubt a prophet, in the commonly received sense of the term and his mode of acting was like that of the ancient prophets, who often accompanied their predictions with significant emblems. Jeremiah was commanded to bury his girdle by the river Euphrates, to mark out the captivity of the Jews. Jer 13:4. For more examples of this figurative or symbolical prophesying, ee Jer 27:2, Jer 27:3; Jer 28:4; Isa 20:1-6; Ezekiel 4:1-17; 12:1-28, &c.
Into the hands of the Gentiles.] That is, the Romans, for the Jews had not, properly speaking, the power of life and death. And, as Agabus said he should be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles, he showed thereby that they would attempt to destroy his life. This prediction of Agabus was literally fulfilled: see Ac 21:33.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Took Pauls girdle; it was ordinary amongst the prophets to confirm, or at least to exemplify, their prophecies by outward signs and symbols, as Isa 20:2; Jer 13:1; Eze 12:5. But that of Jer 27:2, is a parallel unto this; where the prophet is commanded to make bonds and yokes, and to put them upon his neck, to foreshow the subjection of all those nations unto Nebuchadnezzar.
Thus saith the Holy Ghost; none of all the sufferings foreshown concerning St. Paul, or others of Gods children and servants, but are ordered by God, who knows them altogether; and they came not out of the dust, or by casualty, or chance, so as not to have been the matter of Gods foreknowledge and counsel, Eph 1:11.
The Gentiles; the Roman powers at Jerusalem, and afterwards at Rome.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11-14. So shall the Jews bind theman that owneth this girdle, c.For though the Romans did it,it was at the Jews’ instigation (Act 21:33Act 28:17). Such dramatic methodsof announcing important future events would bring the old prophets toremembrance. (Compare Isa 20:2;Jer 13:1; Eze 5:1,&c.). This prediction and that at Tyre (Ac21:4) were intended, not to prohibit him from going, but to puthis courage to the test and when he stood the test, to deepen andmature it.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when he was come unto us,…. In Philip’s house:
he took Paul’s girdle and bound his own hands and feet; and so prophesied by types and symbols, and gestures, as the prophets of old did; as Isaiah in Isa 20:2 and Jeremiah in
Jer 13:1, and Ezekiel in Eze 4:1 and Hosea in Ho 1:2, some understand this of his binding Paul’s hands and feet, but it seems rather to design his own:
and said, thus saith the Holy Ghost; who was in Agabus, and spoke by him, and foretold some things to come to pass; and which did come to pass, and is a proof of the foreknowledge, and so of the deity of the blessed Spirit:
so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle; meaning Paul, and who accordingly was bound in like manner, a very little time after this; see Ac 21:33
and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles; the Romans, as they afterwards did.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Coming (, second aorist active participle of ), taking (, first aorist active participle of , to take up),
binding (, first aorist active participle of , to bind). Vivid use of three successive participles describing the dramatic action of Agabus.
Paul’s girdle ( ). Old word from , to gird. See on 12:8.
His own feet and hands ( ). Basis for the interpretation. Old Testament prophets often employed symbolic deeds (1Kgs 22:11; Jas 2:2; Jer 13:1-7; Ezek 4:1-6). Jesus interpreted the symbolism of Peter’s girding himself (Joh 21:18).
So (). As Agabus had bound himself. Agabus was just from Jerusalem and probably knew the feeling there against Paul. At any rate the Holy Spirit revealed it to him as he claims.
Shall deliver (). Like the words of Jesus about himself (Mt 20:19). He was “delivered” into the hands of the Gentiles and it took five years to get out of those hands.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Bound his own feet and hands. Imitating the symbolical acts of the Old Testament prophets. See 1Ki 22:11; Isa 20:1 – 3; Jer 13:1 – 7; Eze 4:1 – 6. Compare Joh 21:18.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when he was come unto us,” (kai elthon pros hemas) “And when he had come directly to us, “the benevolent-bearing mission tour group in Caesarea.
2) “He took Paul’s girdle,” (kai aras ten zonen tou Paulou) “He took the girdle (midriff belt) of Paul,” for a symbolic drama act in imitation of ancient prophets to dramatize a message, 1Ki 22:2-4; Jer 13:1-10.
3) “And bound his own hands and feet, and said,” (desas heautou tous podas kai tas cheiras eipen) “And when he himself had bound the hands and feet (of Paul), he said;” The figurative action, drama of Agabus almost certainly indicates that he was a Jew.
4) “Thus saith the Holy Ghost,” (tade legei to pneuma to
hogion) “These things (that I tell you)the Holy Ghost says,” as follows: Having vividly illustrated his message he said,
5) “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle,” (ton andra hou estin he zone aute houtos desousin en lerousalem hoi lludaioi) “The Jews who are in Jerusalem will bind the man (whose girdle this is) in this same manner;” This prophecy was given, as well as that of Act 21:4, not to prevent Paul from going but to put his courage to test.
6) “And shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” (kai paradosousin eis cheiras ethnon) “And will give him over (deliver him) into Gentile hands,” to have him put to death by the Romans, Act 20:23. Yet Paul was not moved from pursuing the call of the Spirit in his ministry, 1Th 3:3.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(11) He took Pauls girdle, and bound his own hands and feet.The MSS. vary between his hands (St. Pauls) and his own; but the latter is by far the best-supported reading. It is interesting to note the revival of the old prophetic manner of predicting by symbolic acts. So Isaiah had walked naked and barefoot (Isa. 20:3-4); and Jeremiah had gone and left his girdle in a cave on the banks of the Euphrates, and had made bonds and yokes, and had put them on his neck (Jer. 13:1-11; Jer. 27:2); and Ezekiel had portrayed the siege of Jerusalem on a tile, and had cut the hair from his head and beard (Eze. 4:1-3; Eze. 5:1-4). Looking to the previous relations between St. Paul and Agabus at Antioch (Act. 11:27), we may well believe that the latter, foreseeing the danger to which the Apostle would be exposed, came down to Csarea, in a spirit of friendly anxiety, to warn him not to come. The feeling which led to the murderous plot of Act. 23:12 could be no secret to a prophet living at Jerusalem.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Bound his own hands Impressing the mind most vividly by impressing the eyes, after the Old Testament prophetic fashion. “As Isaiah (chap. 20) loosed the sackcloth from his loins, and put off his shoes from his feet, to declare how the Egyptian captives should be led away into Assyria naked and barefoot, or as the girdle of Jeremiah, (ch. 13,) in its strength and its decay, was made a type of the people of Israel in their privilege and their fall.” Conybeare & Howson.
Jews bind the man Agabus’ prophecy was not fulfilled in the letter, for the Jews did not themselves bind the man; but it is fulfilled in spirit, for they bound him with their muscular force, and delivered him into Roman custody and chains.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And coming to us, and taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” ’
Agabus deliberately sought them out and then took Paul’s belt and used it to bind his own hands and feet. And then he declared that the Holy Spirit had shown him that the owner of that belt would himself be bound in the same way by the Jews in Jerusalem, and would then be handed over to the Gentiles. This last would be seen as the worst possible fate for a Jew. He would be unable to maintain his religious cleanliness and would be cut off from Israel.
We note that this is the third time that Luke has mentioned these warnings, indicating completeness of warning (Act 20:23; Act 21:4). He was in fact warned any number of times (Act 20:23). This acted out prophecy of Agabus relates him to the Old Testament prophets who regularly acted out their prophecies (1Ki 11:29-31; Isa 20:2-4; Jer 13:1-7; Eze 4:1-17).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 21:11. He took Paul’s girdle, This was in the manner of the ancient prophets, who frequently attended their predictions with significant and prophetic actions. See Jer 13:1.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
11 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.
Ver. 11. So shall the Jews ] Who were ever most bitter enemies to Christians, and so they continue. Among the Turks every vizier and pasha of state useth to keep a Jew of his private council; whose malice, wit, and experience of Christendom, with their continual intelligence, is thought to advise most of that mischief which the Turk puts in execution against us. Are those then well advised that desire that the Jews may have free commerce among us, as they have in Poland? where they not only curse all Christians publicly in their daily prayers, but boldly print against our religion whatsoever they please? (Buxtorf. Synag. Jud.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
11. ] Similar symbolical actions accompanying prophecy are found 1Ki 22:11 ; Isa 20:2 ; Jer 13:1 ff.; Eze 4:1 fr., 9 ff.; Act 5:1 , &c. De Wette remarks that is the N. T. prophetic formula, instead of of the O. T.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 21:11 . : the symbolic action by Agabus reminds us of the O.T. prophets, cf. 1Ki 22:11 , Isa 20:2 , Jer 13:1 , Eze 4:5 Agabus as a dweller in Jerusalem would know something of that bitter feeling against Paul, and would wish to warn him. . ., cf. the words of our Lord, Luk 9:44 ; Luk 24:7 ; phrase frequent in LXX both in Psalms and Prophets, cf. Sir 4:19 ; Sir 11:6 ; 1Ma 4:30 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
the Holy Ghost = the Holy Spirit. App-101. Both articles here.
shall = will.
at = in. Greek. en. App-104.
man. Greek. aner. App-123.
deliver. Greek. paradidomi. See note on Joh 19:30.
Gentiles. Greek. ethnos.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
11.] Similar symbolical actions accompanying prophecy are found 1Ki 22:11; Isa 20:2; Jer 13:1 ff.; Eze 4:1 fr., 9 ff.; Act 5:1, &c. De Wette remarks that is the N. T. prophetic formula, instead of of the O. T.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 21:11. ) his own, not Pauls. The nearer that Paul comes to what awaited him, the more express is the prediction that prepares him.-) , saith.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
he took: 1Sa 15:27, 1Sa 15:28, 1Ki 11:29-31, 2Ki 13:15-19, Jer 13:1-11, Jer 19:10, Jer 19:11, Eze 24:19-25, Hos 12:10
Thus: Act 13:2, Act 16:6, Act 20:23, Act 28:25, Heb 3:7, 1Pe 1:12
So shall: Act 21:33, Act 22:25, Act 24:27, Act 26:29, Act 28:20, Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1, Eph 6:20, 2Ti 2:9, Heb 10:34
and shall: Act 28:17, Mat 20:18, Mat 20:19, Mat 27:1, Mat 27:2
Reciprocal: Jer 43:9 – great Eze 3:25 – General Mat 16:22 – Be it far from thee Mat 22:13 – Bind Mar 13:9 – take Luk 9:51 – he stedfastly Joh 21:18 – another Act 9:16 – I will Act 19:21 – to go Act 20:22 – I go Act 22:30 – because 2Co 11:23 – in prisons Phi 1:13 – General 1Th 3:3 – we are 1Pe 4:19 – let
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1
Act 21:11. See the note on “prophets acting” at 1Ki 20:35 in volume 2 of the Old Testament Commentary. Agabus took this dramatic manner of making his prediction to impress its importance upon the group.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 21:11. And when he was come unto us, he took Pauls girdle and bound his own hands and feet, and said. The loose flowing robes worn in eastern countries are bound about the waist with a sash or girdle. Taking this from the apostle, the Christian prophet, in the dramatic way with which the old seers of Israel were wont to deliver their prophecies, revealed to Paul the peculiar form of danger which surely awaited him in the ancient capital of the people. Hitherto the prophetic voices had simply spoken of perils awaiting his arrival; Agabus now signifies the exact nature of the danger. He would be delivered by his own countrymen under some grave, probably capital charge into the hands of the Roman government. We have many instances in the Old Testament of similar symbolical prophecies; for instance, the horns of iron of Zedekiah when he prophesied before the kings of Judah and Israel (1Ki 22:11); the walking naked and barefoot of Isaiah (Isa 20:2-3); the marred linen girdle of Jeremiah (Jer 13:4-9); the tile with the city of Jerusalem portrayed upon it (Eze 4:1-2); the iron pan of Ezekiel (Eze 4:3), etc.
There were even darker plots in store threatening the life of the brave apostle, plots known no doubt to the inspired prophet (see Act 23:12). He would warn the well-known Christian leader, and if possible prevent his coming up to the Pentecostal feast.
Thus saith the Holy Ghost. A solemn formula, corresponding to the well-known Old Testament , Thus saith the Lord.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 10