Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 21:8-18

"And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied. And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And coming to us, and taking Paul`s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem. And there went with us also [certain] of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing [with them] one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present." — Acts 21:8-18 (ASV)

Paul had express warning of his troubles, so that when they came, they would be no surprise or terror to him. The general notice given to us, that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God, should serve the same purpose for us.

Their weeping began to weaken and slacken his resolution. Has not our Master told us to take up our cross? It was a trouble to him that they so earnestly pressed him to do that in which he could not gratify them without wronging his conscience.

When we see trouble coming, it is fitting for us to say not only, 'The will of the Lord must be done, and there is no remedy,' but also, 'Let the will of the Lord be done,' for His will is His wisdom, and He does all according to its counsel. When a trouble has come, this must allay our griefs: that the will of the Lord is done. When we see it coming, this must silence our fears: that the will of the Lord will be done. And we ought to say, 'Amen, let it be done.'

It is honourable to be an old disciple of Jesus Christ, to have been enabled by the grace of God to continue long in a course of duty, steadfast in the faith, growing more and more experienced, to a good old age. And with these old disciples one would choose to lodge, for the multitude of their years will teach wisdom. Many brothers at Jerusalem received Paul gladly.

We think, perhaps, that if we had him among us, we should gladly receive him; but we should not, if, having his doctrine, we do not gladly receive that.