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 21:11KJVWhat 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.