Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 20:22

"And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:" — Acts 20:22 (ASV)

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit.—The question arises for us as before (see Note on Acts 19:21), whether the words refer to the direct action of the Holy Spirit or to the higher element of St. Paul’s own nature, as in 1 Corinthians 5:3 and 2 Corinthians 2:13. On the whole, the latter interpretation seems more probable, with the qualification, as before, that the word "spirit" is used because it points to that part of his being most in communion with the Divine Spirit . He was going to Jerusalem regardless of the consequences, under a constraint that virtually limited the freedom of his human will. As in 1 Corinthians 9:16, a “necessity” was laid upon him.