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.

ACTS 21:11KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 21:11 (KJV)

What does Acts 21:11 mean?

Acts 21:11 describes how a prophet named Agabus took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and declared that the Holy Spirit said the Jewish people in Jerusalem would bind the owner of the belt (Paul) and hand him over to the Gentiles. This was a dramatic warning to Paul about what would happen to him if he went to Jerusalem.

Agabus, a recognized prophet, acted out his message in front of Paul and the other believers to make the warning clear and memorable. The scene takes place as Paul is traveling toward Jerusalem, and the believers are concerned for his safety. Agabus’s symbolic action and words emphasize that Paul’s coming arrest and transfer to non-Jewish authorities is not just a rumor, but a message from the Holy Spirit.

The Greek behind Acts 21:11

  • ζώνη (zōnē, “girdle” or “belt”): This word refers to a cloth belt, often used to tie up clothing or carry money. Agabus’s use of Paul’s actual belt makes the prophecy personal and vivid.
  • δήσας (deō, “bound”): The Greek word here means to tie or bind tightly. Agabus binding his own hands and feet with the belt is a physical demonstration of the captivity Paul will face.
  • παραδώσουσιν (paradōsousin, “shall deliver”): This word means to hand over or betray into someone else’s power. It highlights that Paul will be given up to the Gentiles, not just arrested but transferred to another authority.

Why Acts 21:11 matters

  • Acts 21:11 clarifies that Paul’s coming troubles in Jerusalem are not accidental or unknown to him; they are foreseen and revealed by the Holy Spirit through a prophet.
  • The verse shows the seriousness of Paul’s decision to continue to Jerusalem, knowing the risks, and the concern of the Christian community for his safety.
  • This prophecy connects to a pattern in Acts where the Holy Spirit both guides and warns believers, showing that suffering and hardship can be part of God’s plan.

Where else these words appear

“girdle” Greek G2223 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  • Mark 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
  • Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

“Thus” Greek G3592 · used in 12 verses

  • Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
  • James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
  • Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

“bound” Greek G1210 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
  • Mark 11:4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
  • Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

“Jerusalem” Greek G2419 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
  • Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
  • Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.