From Ephesus to Jerusalem
TRANSLATION
(1) When we had left them and put out to sea, we sailed directly to Cos, the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. (2) Once we had found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. (3) Having sighted Cyprus, we left it on the left side and sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo. (4) Having found the disciples, we remained there seven days. These believers warned Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. (5) When it was time to go, we took our leave and continued on our journey. All the believers, including their wives and children, accompanied us on our way until we exited the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said our farewells. (6) We then boarded the ship while they returned home.
(7) When we completed the voyage from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais and saluted the believers, staying with them for just one day. (8) We departed in the morning and arrived at Caesarea where we stayed at the house of Philip, the evangelist, one of the seven (original deacons). (9) He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. (10) While we remained there for a time, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. (11) When he visited us, he took Paul’s belt, tied up his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says. ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will constrain the man who owns this belt and deliver him over to the hands of the Gentiles.’” (12) When we heard these things, we and those who lived there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. (13) Then he asked, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be imprisoned but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (14) When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “May the Lord’s will be done.”
(15) After this we packed everything up and set off for Jerusalem. (16) Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and took us to the house of Mnason where we stayed. He was from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. (17) When we came to Jerusalem, the believers received us gladly. (18) The next day Paul went in with us to see James with all the elders present. (19) After he had greeted them, he reported in detail all that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. (20) When they heard this, they praised God.
OBSERVATIONS
Several repetitions are found in this transitional segment which brought Paul’s third missionary journey to a close. These repetitions help us determine its thrust. “Set sail/sailed” is found three times in the first three verses (vss. 1-3). Among the several place names mentioned, “Tyre” (vss. 3 & 7) and “Jerusalem” (vss. 4, 11, 13, 15, & 17) were the only ones repeated. “Disciples” (vss. 4 & 16) and “brothers” (vss. 7 & 17) were how Luke referred to the believers. “Stayed/staying” (vss. 4, 7, 8, & 10), “day(s)” (vss. 4, 5, & 7), “prophesied/prophet” (vss. 9 & 10), “belt” and “bind/bound” (both in vs. 11) were repeated for emphasis.
OUTLINE
I. Paul undertook a final journey to Jerusalem despite many urging him not to go. (1-4)
II. Paul continued on to Jerusalem, refusing to heed prophetic warnings of imprisonment. (5-16)
III. In Jerusalem, Paul reported to James and the elders what God had done through his ministry. (17-20a)
IDEA STATEMENT
Paul never wavered in his determination to visit Jerusalem in spite of the strong warnings given him by everyone.
APPLICATION
Was Paul’s resolution to return to Jerusalem despite all the warnings about the dangers he would face obedience to God’s will or evidence of his obstinacy? We know that Paul was a man of strong convictions and great determination. However, was this particular journey necessary? Couldn’t he have prolonged his church-planting ministry by heeding the warnings that were repeatedly given him?
One answer to this question may be found at the end of Luke 9. There Luke mentioned twice that Jesus at this point in his ministry “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk. 9:51 & 53), knowing that he would face certain death there at the hands of the Jewish leaders (Lk. 9:22 & 44). Like his Lord, Paul knew that he too would be facing arrest and possible death at the hands of the Jewish leaders if he were to return to Jerusalem. Paul had become convinced that following in the footsteps of Jesus whatever sufferings he might encounter was the path that God had ordained for him to follow in spite of any warnings he might have received along the way.