King James Version

What Does Acts 21:11 Mean?

Acts 21:11 in the King James Version says “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 Gho... — study this verse from Acts chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 21:11 · KJV


Context

9

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10

And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

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.

12

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Agabus's prophetic sign-act, binding his own hands and feet with Paul's belt, echoed Old Testament prophetic symbolism (compare Jeremiah 13:1-11, Ezekiel 4). The detailed prophecy - 'the Jews at Jerusalem shall bind the man' - proved remarkably accurate, though the Romans actually performed the arrest. This demonstrates how prophetic revelation conveys essential truth while details may unfold differently than expected.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Symbolic prophetic acts were common in Hebrew tradition. The reference to 'the Gentiles' accurately predicted Paul's Roman custody, fulfilling Jesus's prophecy that Paul would testify before Gentiles and kings (Acts 9:15).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you discern the essential message in prophetic warnings versus circumstantial details?
  2. What does Paul's response teach about continuing God's mission despite clear warnings of suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 43 words
καὶ1 of 43

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐλθὼν2 of 43

when he was come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς3 of 43

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἡμᾶς4 of 43

us

G2248

us

καὶ5 of 43

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἄρας6 of 43

he took

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

τὴν7 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζώνη8 of 43

girdle

G2223

a belt; by implication, a pocket

τοῦ9 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παύλου10 of 43

Paul's

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

δήσουσιν11 of 43

bind

G1210

to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

τε12 of 43

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

αὐτοῦ13 of 43
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὰς14 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρας15 of 43

hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

καὶ16 of 43

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς17 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόδας18 of 43

feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

εἶπεν19 of 43

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Τάδε20 of 43

Thus

G3592

the same, i.e., this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun

λέγει21 of 43

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τὸ22 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμα23 of 43

Ghost

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

τὸ24 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἅγιον25 of 43

the Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

Τὸν26 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνδρα27 of 43

the man

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

οὗ28 of 43

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐστιν29 of 43

owneth

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

30 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζώνη31 of 43

girdle

G2223

a belt; by implication, a pocket

αὕτη32 of 43

this

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

οὕτως33 of 43

So

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

δήσουσιν34 of 43

bind

G1210

to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

ἐν35 of 43

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Ἰερουσαλὴμ36 of 43

Jerusalem

G2419

hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

οἱ37 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαῖοι38 of 43

the Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

καὶ39 of 43

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παραδώσουσιν40 of 43

shall deliver

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

εἰς41 of 43

him into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

χεῖρας42 of 43

hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἐθνῶν43 of 43

of the Gentiles

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 21:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 21:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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