Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 21:14
And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
14. And be done ] They gathered from the language of St Paul that he had a higher leading than theirs in what he was doing, and feeling that Christ’s guidance was better than any other, they quieted their minds with the thought that the work was “for the name of the Lord Jesus,” who would strengthen His servant to do His will.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Would not be persuaded – To remain. He was resolved to go.
We ceased – We ceased remonstrating with him, and urging him to remain.
The will of the Lord be done – They were now assured that it was the will of God that he should go, and they were now ready to submit to that will. This is an instance and an evidence of true piety. It was the expression of a wish that whatever God might judge to be necessary for the advancement of his cause might take place, even though it should be attended with many trials. They commended their friend to the protection of God, confident that whatever should occur would be right. Compare the notes on Mat 6:10; Mat 26:42.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. The will of the Lord be done.] May that which is most for his glory take place! They plainly saw from the prophecy what would take place, if Paul went to Jerusalem; and every one saw that he had power to go, or not to go.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
We ceased; as having done their utmost, and what became them.
Saying, The will of the Lord be done; they commit the event unto God: thus we pray daily, that Gods will may be done, Mat 6:10; Luk 11:2; and thus our Saviour, not only by his precept, but by his example, hath taught us, Mat 26:42; Luk 22:42; and when Gods will is done, our will is done also, if the mind and spirit be in us that was in Christ, Phi 2:5, and otherwise we are none of his, Rev 8:9.
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 would not be persuaded,…. But was determined to go to Jerusalem at all events:
we ceased; both from tears and arguments:
saying, the will of the Lord be done; which was right, and to which they ought to have submitted, and acquiesced in at first, without using any arguments to have dissuaded the apostle from going to Jerusalem; since they might have concluded from Agabus’s prophecy, that it was the will of the Lord he should go thither, and be bound; and the revelation was made to him, not to deter him from it, and to take methods for his own safety, which his friends would have put him upon, but to acquaint him with the will of God, and make him still more certain of it, and to prepare for it, and this effect it had upon him. This will of the Lord, is not the will of the Lord revealed in his word, either respecting the salvation, sanctification, and final perseverance of the saints, which is always accomplished; “for who hath resisted his will”, or can resist it, so as to frustrate his designs, or hinder these things taking place? or the duty which is to be performed by them, the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God, which every gracious soul desires may be perfectly done, even as it is done in heaven: but here the secret will of God relating to the events of providence is designed, and which is the rule of all the divine proceedings; and though it is unknown to men, until facts make it appear, it is ever fulfilled, and sometimes by persons who have no regard to the revealed will of God; and should be continually thought of; and everything that is determined, or attempted to be done, should be resolved upon, and undertaken in submission to it; and whilst it is performing should be patiently bore, even in things not so agreeable to the minds and wills of men: it becomes saints to be still and acquiesce in it, when things are not so well with them in spiritual affairs as to be wished for; and when their worldly circumstances are not so thriving and flourishing; yea, though they may be attended with much poverty and meanness, and be reduced to so low a condition as Job was; as also when they part with their near and dear friends and relations by death, and with the ministers of the Gospel, who have been their spiritual fathers, instructors, and comforters; and even when they are called to suffer in the severest manner, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel: not that they are to be indolent, unconcerned, and unaffected, with things of this nature; nor should they neglect the means of having things otherwise with them; but it becomes them to exercise patience, faith, and courage, under every dispensation of providence; as knowing that what is done by the Lord is done well and wisely, and is for the good of them; and when the people of God are helped, to act such a part, they are the most comfortable in themselves, and to all that are about them; such a spirit and disposition is very commendable, and what makes men like to Christ, who in the most disagreeable circumstances submitted his will to his Father’s. Beza’s ancient copy reads, “the will of God”; and so the Arabic and Ethiopic versions.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When he would not be persuaded ( ). Genitive absolute of the present passive participle of . Literally, “he not being persuaded.” That was all. Paul’s will () was not broken, not even bent.
We ceased (). Ingressive aorist active indicative of , old verb to be quiet, silent.
The will of the Lord be done ( ). Present middle imperative of . There is a quaint naivete in this confession by the friends of Paul. Since Paul would not let them have their way, they were willing for the Lord to have his way, acquiescence after failure to have theirs.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
PAUL GOES ON TO JERUSALEM V. 14-17
1) “And when he would not be persuaded,” (me peithomenou de sutou) “And when he was not persuaded,” would not turn back, or turn aside from the will of God for his life, to which he was committed from salvation till his death, Act 9:6-7; Php_3:13-14,
2) “We ceased, saying,” (hesuchasa men eipontes) “We kept silence, or restrained (ourselves) having said,” become resigned to the view:
3) “The will of the Lord be done.”(tou kuriou to thelema ginestho) “Let the will of the Lord prevail, or come to be done;” It is always wise to seek, follow, and/or be resigned to the will of the Lord, Eph 5:17; Rom 12:2; 1Th 4:3; 1Th 5:18. Our Lord taught His disciples to pray “Thy will be done,” even thru their suffering, Mat 6:10; Man’s purpose and plans in life should always be amenable or adjusted to, “if the Lord wills,” Jas 4:15; Acts 18; Acts 21; 1Co 4:19; Heb 6:3. Even our Lord lived and prayed and died in the will of His Father who went Him; Can His children do less, with honor? Mat 26:39; Mat 26:42; Luk 22:42. He came not to do His own will, but the will of His Father who sent Him, even in service, suffering and death. And a servant is not greater than His Lord, Joh 5:30; Joh 6:38; Joh 15:20.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
14. We ceased saying. If they had thought that he ran rashly unto death, they would not have ceased so. Therefore, they yield lest they resist the Holy Spirit, whereby they understand that Paul is governed. For that which they had heard before, by the mouth of Paul, that he was drawn, as it were, by the bands of the Spirit, was quite out of their heads by reason of the sorrow which they had conceived; but when they be taught again that it was the will of God that it should be so, they think it unlawful for them to resist any longer. And with this bridle must all our affections be kept in, that nothing be so bitter, or doleful, or hard, which the will of God may not mitigate and mollify. For so often as any thing which is hard or sharp doth fall out, we give God small honor, unless this cogitation prevail with us, that we must obey him.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) The will of the Lord be done.It is, perhaps, too much to see in these words an acceptance of his purpose as being in accordance with the will of the Lord. They were the natural expressions of resignation to what was seen to be inevitable, possibly used as a quotation from the prayer which the Lord had taught the disciples, and which He had used Himself (Luk. 22:42).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” ’
One they recognised that he believed that it was God’s will for him to be bound in Jerusalem, and that nothing would change his mind, they declared ‘The will of the Lord be done.’ Compare Luk 22:42, ‘not My will, but Yours be done’. Paul was continually following in His steps.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Ver. 14. The will of the Lord be done ] Vox vere Christianorum, saith one, Voluntas Dei, necessitas rei. A godly man says Amen to God’s Amen; and puts his Fiat Let him do it, and Placet let it be pleasing, to God’s. One said, he could have what he would of God. Why? how was that? Because whatsoever was God’s will, that was his. It is said that I shall be burned in Smithfield (said blessed Bradford), and that very shortly, Fiat voluntas Domini: Ecce ego, mitte me. Let the will of God be done, behold, me, send me, Mr Beza’s last text was the third petition of the Lord’s prayer, “Thy will be done,” &c. In qua deficere potius quam desinere visas est, saith he that writeth his life. (Melch. Adam.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
14. . . . .] One of the passages from which we may not unfairly infer, that the Lord’s prayer was used by the Christians of the apostolic age. See note on 2Ti 4:18 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 21:14 . : only in Luke and Paul, cf. Luk 14:3 , Act 11:18 . In LXX, Job 32:6 , Neh 5:8 . . ., cf. Mat 6:10 , Luk 22:42 , and also St. Paul’s own expression in Act 18:21 , 1Co 4:19 ; 1Co 16:7 (Heb 6:3 ), cf. Mayor’s note on Jas 4:15 for similar phrases amongst Greeks and Romans, as also amongst Jews and Arabians, Taylor’s Sayings of the Jewish Fathers , pp. 29, 95, 128, 2nd edit.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
persuaded. Greek. peitho. App-150.
ceased. See note on Act 11:18.
will. Greek. thelema. App-102.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
14. . . . .] One of the passages from which we may not unfairly infer, that the Lords prayer was used by the Christians of the apostolic age. See note on 2Ti 4:18.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 21:14. , when he would not be persuaded) Often a person is moved for the sake of others, who is not moved on his own account. Hence we may perceive the stedfastness of Paul.-, we acquiesced) With pious modesty.- , the will) This, they acknowledged hereby, was known to Paul.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
The will: Gen 43:14, 1Sa 3:18, 2Sa 15:25, 2Sa 15:26, 2Ki 20:19, Mat 6:10, Mat 26:39, Mat 26:42, Luk 11:2, Luk 22:42
Reciprocal: Gen 43:11 – If it must be Rth 1:18 – When Act 18:20 – he Act 18:21 – if God Rom 1:10 – by the will 1Pe 3:17 – if
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
DIVINE GUIDANCE
And When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Act 21:14
We are all conscious of the need of guidance. Some of us perhaps could say that we are conscious of the fact of guidance; most of us certainly are often greatly perplexed as to the instrument of guidance. It seems to me that St. Pauls example may help us to discover a principle which covers our case.
I. Two conditions of Divine direction at least are common to the Apostle and to us.
(a) We no less than St. Paul must have as the governing motive of action the performance of the will of God, and
(b) We also, as the Apostle, must habitually seek in prayer the leading of the Spirit of God.
Given that motive, and given that spiritual habit, I do think that we, no less than St. Paul, shall receive the supernatural direction for which we pray, and to some of us at least as we attempt to follow that heavenly guidance the very trial of St. Paul will come. Our assurance of duty will be challenged from quarters deserving our reverent regard, and in the sequel we shall have to go against the warnings of admitted authority and the entreaty of disinterested affection. But in our case, as in the Apostles, the justification of our persistence will be in the inherent superiority of our own perception of duty. In the absence of any interior certitude, we maynay, we mustbe led by the lesser and lower leadings of circumstance, and I know no valid reason why we should demur to the sacred writers description of these leadings as also in their measure truly Divine, but when once that interior certitude is ours all the other instruments of guidance must be set aside in its favour. That is how I understand St. Pauls behaviour. Up to a certain point in his history he was dependent from day to day on the indications of Gods will. But then was granted an immediate revelation of his personal duty. He saw the goal towards which his efforts were to be directed, he realised his purpose in life, he understood Gods will in him. Henceforward he was set free from the incertitude and inconsistencies that marked his course. His career became the steady and continuous working out of a definite project which made it intelligible.
II. The lesson for the average life.Granting that extra-ordinary vocations which stamp on human careers a sublime aspect are but few, must we therefore conclude that from most Christians that interior certitude as to personal duty is withholden? Must the multitude of disciples live without the illumination of assured direction from God? I do not believe it. On the contrary, I hold that there is none of us who confesses that his true lot of life must be to do the will of God, and with that conviction surrenders himself wholly and deliberately to the control of Gods Spirit, who does not receive the guidance he seeks. We fail, brethren, not from lack of leading, but from lack of courage to obey the leading we have. There is most certainly a listless, jealous temper in our society which is wonderfully hostile to every kind of moral effort, and I think we all, in spite of ourselves, are affected by it, and we are tempted to lose the sense of urgency.
III. To whom guidance is given.St. James tells us that God gives wisdom to those that seek for it, but not to those distracted seekers whom he likens to the wind-driven waves of the sea. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. That description is curiously just and apposite. We are so many of us who live in the distracted luxury of great cities double-minded, unstable, carried away by every new craze that relieves for a moment the chronic tedium of idle living, unanchored in any truth, unpledged to any cause, unclaimed by any duty. How can the voice, the Divine summons, pierce through this Babel of an unordered life? We have to begin to become serious by giving to the things of the Spirit the importance which belongs to them, by making the Divine claim on our lives the stand-point from which to regard them, by cultivating the opportunities of usefulness which come to us, by refusing to acquiesce in the idle and unordered course of living, by insisting at whatever cost on cleansing our lives from conscious insincerity. Then at least we have come within the sanctuary where oracles of guidance are vouchsafed, where watchfulness and obedience gain outward pledges of Divine leading.
Rev. Canon Henson.
Illustration
In the close resemblance which there is between these words and one of the petitions in the Lords prayer, some have thought that they find an evidence that that prayer was already in familiar use in the early Church. Whether or no there be in them this actual and intentional repetition of Christs language, there cannot be a doubt that the words are a reflection of His spirita spirit that, all life through, was always saying, Not My will, but Thine be done. Father, glorify Thy name. The thought which the words contain is an exceedingly valuable oneif it be only for this, that it gives a resting-place to the mind. It was exactly thus that it was used by the Christians of Csarea. Theytogether with St. Pauls immediate companions, including, of course, Lukehad been urging St. Paul, in consequence of Agabuss prophecy, not to go up to Jerusalem. They had done it with an honest feeling and with a good motive, although, as the result showed, with a mistaken judgment. They had done it very earnestly. St. Pauls higher standardhis truer estimate of lifehad impelled him to a passionate negativeWhat mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And then his friends gave wayWhen he would not be persuaded, we ceased. But mark the line at which they stopped. They do not say, Paul wishes it; therefore it must be sothat was the natural thought, the worlds waybut, The will of the Lord be done.
(SECOND OUTLINE)
THE WILL OF THE LORD
The will of the Lord is divided into the revealed and the unrevealed will. The revealed will of God lies upon two pagesthe page of Scripture and the page of Providence.
I. The revealed will in the Bible.The Bible, of course, is nothing else but a revelation of the will of God, and everything which occurs in life is an opening of the will of Godfor, if it were not after the will of God, it would not have taken place. Therefore whatever is written, and whatever is, is the revealed will of God. The revealed will of God in the Bible is twofold
(a) The happiness of man, and
(b) The holiness of man
That in both He may be glorified. It is not the will of God that any should perish; but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth. Father, I will, that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me, where I am. This is the will of God, even your sanctification!
II. But Gods revealed will is found also in providence.I am not speaking now of all providences; but I will keep now to such declarations of Gods will as are in the providence illustrated by my text. There were three trials pressing upon the men of Csarea, when they meekly folded their hands, and said, The will of the Lord be done.
(a) There was defeatfor they were beaten in an argument into which they had evidently thrown all their power: consequently
(b) There was disappointmenteverything went contrary to their hopes and expectations; and
(c) There was griefthe bitter grief of a painful bereavement.
Here are three large classes of human distress!
III. Turn to the unrevealed will.After all, this was the main thought of the company at Csarea. We cannot tell which is rightSt. Paul or we. The Lord will show in His own time. What He decides must be best. The will of the Lord be done.
(a) There is a great deal of perplexity in lifeit is a large part of its discipline. What shall I do? What end shall I choose? Which way shall I prefer?
(b) There is a great deal of mystery in lifeit is a very shrouded thing. I cannot see a step. The real and the shadow are so ill defined. It is so vague and dreamy!
(c) There is a great deal of dread in lifedread of the unknown; events are pressing on upon meI do not quite know of what; but there is such a sense of sin and ill-desert in my mind, that I have an apprehension of some retributive justice. I go out into the future, and it is all very dark!
But, all the while, far above all thisover the perplexity and over the mystery and over the dreadthere is reigning the high will of God; and that will is bearing on to its own destined purpose, and it must prevail. And here is faiths large fieldthat unrevealed will of God. Unite yourself with itthrow yourself upon it absolutely. Let it bear you where it will; it can only bear you home. The will of the Lord be done.
Rev. James Vaughan.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
4
Act 21:14. The will of the Lord be done indicates their resignation to whatever lot might befall the beloved apostle. His fortitude had the effect of reconciling them to the program that Christ might have mapped out for him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 21:14. We ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. It seems very probable that this expression of resignation to the Divine will, to which the brethren so reverently bowed, was a quotation from the Lords Prayer, and such a use of one of its petitions suggests to us that the Christians of the Apostolic Age were in the habit of frequently using this model of prayer designed for them by their Master. On these words St. Bernard very beautifully writes: We say daily in the Lords Prayer, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Oh, how pure and serene is our life when that will alone directs us, and when not a trace of our own will remains behind! With such a frame of mind, we become like unto God.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 10
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
21:14 {2} And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
(2) The will of God bridles all affections in those who earnestly seek the glory of God.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Unable to dissuade him, Paul’s friends stopped urging him and committed the situation to the Lord.
"Perhaps he regarded Caesarea as his temptation and Gethsemane. If so, the congregation, catching the thought, echoed the garden prayer of Christ: The will of the Lord be done . . ." [Note: Blaiklock, p. 168.]
"Paul is recognized and welcomed in Tyre and Caesarea as he was at earlier stops on his trip, and the disciples in these places show great concern for Paul’s safety. Widespread respect for Paul is also indicated by the attention that he receives from figures associated with the mission in its early days: Philip the evangelist (Act 21:8), Agabus the prophet (Act 21:10; cf. Act 11:28), and Mnason, an ’early disciple’ (Act 21:16)." [Note: Tannehill, 2:262.]
Christians have developed a respect for Paul that is second only to Jesus Christ over approximately 20 centuries of church history. However when Luke wrote Acts, Paul was a very controversial figure in the church. Luke seems to have gone out of his way to put Paul in the best possible light so his original readers would accept and appreciate his ministry.