What does Acts 21:10 mean?

For the last several months, wherever Paul travels, the Holy Spirit has warned him that when he arrives in Jerusalem he will be imprisoned and afflicted (Acts 20:22–23). This was told to the elders of the church in Ephesus. The Holy Spirit told some in the church in Tyre (Acts 21:4). In Caesarea Maritima, it appears the Holy Spirit tells the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9). To drive the point home, Agabus arrives from the hills of Judea to confirm.

We first met Agabus in Syrian Antioch shortly after Paul joins Barnabas and before their first missionary voyage. Agabus prophesied a great famine would trouble Jerusalem (Acts 11:28). The church in Jerusalem is in a unique situation. Most of the apostles seem to be from Galilee, far from their source of income. They spread Jesus' offer of salvation to the residents, but Jerusalem is filled with Pharisees who believe Jesus broke the Law. It is also the home of many members of the Sanhedrin, who crucified Jesus rather than risk their powerful positions in Jewish and Roman culture. Many in the church in Jerusalem are either transplants or visitors. Significant numbers are Jews from throughout the Roman Empire who come for the required feasts or to live out their final days in the holy city. They hear about Jesus and realize they need to stay longer to learn more—far longer than they brought money for.

So, when Agabus mentioned the famine, the church in Antioch took a collection and sent Barnabas and Paul to deliver it. Paul took this event and turned it into a tradition: whenever he plants a church, he encourages the members to take a collection for Jerusalem. The men who accompany him (Acts 20:4), are most likely bringing that collection.

Here, however, Agabus prophesies about Paul. He takes Paul's belt and wraps his own feet and hands, saying, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles'" (Acts 21:11). Unlike the prophets in Tyre, however, Agabus doesn't dissuade Paul from going to Jerusalem. It's possible he knows it's the Holy Spirit's will as well as His warning.