Acts 19 · Verse 21

Acts 19:21

After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
Acts 19:21, King James Version

Acts 19:21 in other translations

BSBAfter these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
WEBNow after these things had ended, Paul determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
ASVNow after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
YLTAnd when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the Spirit, having gone through Macedonia and Achaia, to go on to Jerusalem, saying--‘After my being there, it behoveth me also to see Rome;'
DARBYAnd when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, After I have been there I must see Rome also.
BBENow after these things were ended, Paul came to a decision that when he had gone through Macedonia and Achaia he would go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I have a desire to see Rome.
WebsterAfter these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia, and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

What does Acts 19:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 19:21-22
21-22. After these things were ended--completed, implying something like a natural finish to his long period of labor at Ephesus. Paul purposed ... when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem ... After I have been there, I must also see Rome--Mark here the vastness of the apostle's missionary plans. They were all fulfilled, though he "saw Rome" only as a prisoner.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. After these things were ended. After the gospel was firmly established at Ephesus, so that his presence was no longer necessary.

Purposed in the spirit. Resolved in his mind.

When he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia. In these places he had founded flourishing churches. It is probable that his main object in this visit was to take up a collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem. Rom 15:25.

To go to Jerusalem. To bear the contribution of the Gentile churches to the poor and oppressed Christians in Judea.

I must also see Rome. Rom 15:24. He did go to Rome, but he went in chains, as a prisoner.

(d) "After these things were ended" Gal 2:1 (e) "been there" Rom 15:23-28

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 Paul purposed in the spirit, etc. - Previously to this he appears to have concerted a journey to Macedonia, and a visit to Corinth, the capital of Achaia, where he seems to have spent a considerable time, probably the whole winter of a.d. 58; see 1Cor 16:5, 1Cor 16:6; and afterwards to go to Jerusalem; but it is likely that he did not leave Ephesus till after pentecost, a.d. 59. (1Cor 16:8) And he resolved, if possible, to see Rome, which had been the object of his wishes for a considerable time. See Rom 1:10, Rom 1:13; Rom 16:23. It is generally believed that, during this period, while at Ephesus, he wrote his first epistle to the Corinthians. He had heard that some strange disorders had entered into that Church: - 1. That there were divisions among them; some extolling Paul, beyond all others; some, Peter; others, Apollos. 2. He had learned from Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, whom he saw at Ephesus, 1Cor 16:17; 1Cor 7:1, that several abuses had crept into their religious assemblies. 3. That even the Christians went to law with each other, and that before the heathens. And, 4. That a person professing Christianity in that city, had formed a matrimonial contract with his step-mother. It was to remedy those disorders that he wrote his first epistle to the Corinthians, in which he strongly reprehends all the above evils.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 19:21-31
Persons who came from afar to pay their devotions at the temple of Ephesus, bought little silver shrines, or models of the temple, to carry home with them. See how craftsmen make advantage to themselves of people's superstition, and serve their worldly ends by it. Men are jealous for that by which they get their wealth; and many set themselves against the gospel of Christ, because it calls men from all unlawful crafts, however much wealth is to be gotten by them. There are persons who will stickle for what is most grossly absurd, unreasonable, and false; as this, that those are gods which are made with hands, if it has but worldly interest on its side. The whole city was full of confusion, the common and natural effect of zeal for false religion. Zeal for the honour of Christ, and love to the brethren, encourage zealous believers to venture into danger. Friends will often be raised up among those who are strangers to true religion, but have observed the honest and consistent behaviour of Christians.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 19:21 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὩςHōsAfterG5613
δὲdenowG1161
ἐπληρώθηeplērōthēwere fulfilledG4137
ταῦτα,tautathese things,G3778
ἔθετοethetopurposedG5087
ὁho<the>G3588
ΠαῦλοςPaulosPaulG3972
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtōtheG3588
πνεύματιpneumatiSpiritG4151
διελθὼνdielthōnhaving passed throughG1330
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
ΜακεδονίανMakedonianMacedoniaG3109
καὶkaiandG2532
ἈχαΐανAchaianAchaiaG882
πορεύεσθαιporeuesthaito goG4198
εἰςeistoG1519
ἹεροσόλυμαHi'erosolumaJerusalemG2414
εἰπὼνeipōnhaving saidG2036
ὅτιhotithatG3754
μετὰmetaAfterG3326
τὸto<the>G3588
γενέσθαιgenesthaibeingG1096
μεmemeG3165
ἐκεῖ,ekeithere,G1563
δεῖdeiit behoovesG1163
μεmemeG3165
καὶkaialsoG2532
ῬώμηνRhōmēnRomeG4516
ἰδεῖν.ideinto see.G1492

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 19:21

  • Acts 20:22

    And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

  • Acts 20:16

    For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

  • Acts 23:11

    And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

  • Galatians 2:1

    Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

  • Acts 18:21

    But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

  • Romans 1:13

    Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

  • Acts 28:30-31

    And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

  • Romans 15:23-29

    But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. …

  • Lamentations 3:37

    Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

  • Acts 25:10-12

    Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go.

  • Acts 27:1

    And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.

  • Acts 27:24

    Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Cir. A.M. 4063. A.D. 59. these.
Ro 15:25-28; Ga 2:1
purposed.
16:6-10; 18:21; 20:22; La 3:37; Ro 1:13; 2Co 1:15-18
when.
20:1-6
to go.
20:16,22; 21:4,11-15,17; 24:17,18; Ro 15:25,26
I must.
18:21; 23:11; 25:10-12; 27:1,24; 28:16,30,31; Ro 1:15; 15:23-29
Php 1:12-14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 19:20

    So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

  • Acts 19:21

    After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

  • Acts 19:22

    So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

Read all of Acts 19

Acts 19:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y acabadas estas cosas, se propuso Pablo en espíritu partir á Jerusalem, después de andada Macedonia y Acaya, diciendo: Después que hubiere estado allá, me será menester ver también á Roma.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or, après que ces choses se furent accomplies, Paul se proposa dans son esprit de passer par la Macédoine et par l’Achaïe, et d’aller à Jérusalem, disant: Après que j’aurai été là, il faut que je voie Rome aussi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als dies aber erfüllt war, setzte sich Paulus in seinem Geiste vor, nachdem er Macedonien und Achaja durchzogen habe, nach Jerusalem zu reisen, und sprach: Nachdem ich dort gewesen bin, muß ich auch Rom sehen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		His autem expletis, proposuit Paulus in Spiritu, transita Macedonia et Achaia, ire Jerosolymam, dicens: Quoniam postquam fuero ibi, oportet me et Romam videre.