Acts 20:23
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
Acts 20:23 in other translations
| BSB | I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. |
|---|---|
| WEB | except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. |
| ASV | save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. |
| YLT | save that the Holy Spirit in every city doth testify fully, saying, that for me bonds and tribulations remain; |
| DARBY | only that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and tribulations await me. |
| BBE | Only that the Holy Spirit makes clear to me in every town that prison and pains are waiting for me. |
| Webster | Save that the Holy Spirit testifieth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. |
What does Acts 20:23 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 20:22-23
22-23. And now, behold, I--"I" is emphatic here. bound in the spirit--compare Ac 19:21. This internal pressure, unattended with any knowledge of "what was to befall him there," was the result of that higher guidance which shaped all his movements.
Barnes' Notes
The Holy Ghost witnesseth. Either by direct revelation to him, or by the predictions of inspired men whom Paul might meet. An instance of the latter mode occurs in Acts 21:11. It is probable that the meaning here is, that the Holy Ghost had deeply impressed the mind of Paul by his direct influences, and by his experience in every city, that bonds and trials were to be his portion. Such had been his experience in every city where he had preached the gospel by the direction of the Holy Ghost, that he regarded it as his certain portion that he was thus to be afflicted.
In every city. In almost every city where Paul had been, he had been subjected to these trials. He had been persecuted, stoned, and scourged. So uniform was this, so constant had been his experience in this way, that he regarded it as his certain portion to be thus afflicted; and he approached Jerusalem, and every other city, with a confident expectation that such trials awaited him there.
Saying. In his experience; by direct revelation; and by the mouth of prophets, Acts 21:11. When Paul was called to the apostleship, it was predicted that he would suffer much, Acts 9:16.
Bonds. Chains. That I would be bound, as prisoners are who are confined.
Abide me. See the margin. They remain or wait for me; i.e., I must expect to suffer them.
(*) "Ghost" "Spirit" (g) "saying that bonds" Acts 9:16, 21:11 (1) "abide me" "wait for me"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 20:17-27
The elders knew that Paul was no designing, self-seeking man. Those who would in any office serve the Lord acceptably, and profitably to others, must do it with humility. He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his message so as to be understood. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the gospel as a testimony to them if they received it; but as a testimony against them if they rejected it. He was a profitable…
Acts 20:23 in the original Greek
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Acts 20:23
- Acts 9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
- Acts 21:4
And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
- Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
- Acts 21:33
Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
- Acts 21:11
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.
- 2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
- Acts 8:29
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
- John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Acts 20:22
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
- Acts 20:23
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
- Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:23 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mas que el Espíritu Santo por todas las ciudades me da testimonio, diciendo que prisiones y tribulaciones me esperan. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | sauf que l’Esprit Saint rend témoignage de ville en ville, me disant que des liens et de la tribulation m’attendent. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | außer daß der Heilige Geist mir von Stadt zu Stadt bezeugt und sagt, daß Bande und Drangsale meiner warten. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | nisi quod Spiritus Sanctus per omnes civitates mihi protestatur, dicens quoniam vincula et tribulationes Jerosolymis me manent. |