Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 20:23

"save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me." — Acts 20:23 (ASV)

Save that. Except that. This was all that he knew: that bonds and afflictions were to be his portion.

The Holy Ghost witnesses. This occurred 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 Paul's mind—through His direct influences and Paul's experience in every city—that bonds and trials were to be his portion. Indeed, 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 to be afflicted in this way.

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.

This experience was so uniform, so constant, that he regarded it as his certain portion to be afflicted in this way; and he approached Jerusalem and every other city with a confident expectation that such trials awaited him there.

Saying. That is, through 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; meaning that he would be bound like prisoners who are confined.

Abide me. They remain or wait for me; that is, I must expect to suffer them.