Acts 19:21 - Printer Friendly

What does Acts 19:21 mean?

ESV: Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

NIV: After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. 'After I have been there,' he said, 'I must visit Rome also.'

NASB: Now after these things were finished, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, 'After I have been there, I must also see Rome.'

CSB: After these events, Paul resolved by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. "After I've been there," he said, "It is necessary for me to see Rome as well."

NLT: Afterward Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem. 'And after that,' he said, 'I must go on to Rome!'

KJV: After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

NKJV: When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Verse Commentary:

Paul has been in Ephesus for a few years. He stays in the city because he seems to prefer not to visit churches another missionary has planted—likely to avoid interference. Epaphras carried the gospel to nearby Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 1:7–8; 2:1; 4:12–14). Although Apollos, Priscilla, and Aquila had taught about Jesus in Ephesus before Paul arrived for his extended stay (Acts 18:24–28), the church didn't start until three months after Paul arrived—when the synagogue kicked him out (Acts 19:8–9). During his second missionary journey, Paul had planted churches in Macedonia—Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea—and in Corinth in the province of Achaia in Greece (Acts 17—18). He really wants to visit Rome and Spain (Romans 15:23–24), but knows he needs to return to Macedonia and Achaia and build up the churches there. He also needs to collect money for the church in Jerusalem, then take the money to James and the apostles (1 Corinthians 16:1–4). Rome will have to wait.

Paul's not quite ready to leave Ephesus, however—partially because his relationship with the church in Corinth is going through a rough patch.

First, he sends Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia (Acts 19:22). He plans to sail directly to Corinth, then travel north to Macedonia. But he hears things about the church in Corinth that make him livid. Possibly, it's that the church has split up into rival sects: some following Paul, some Apollos, some Peter, and some Jesus. Also, a man in the congregation is openly engaging in heinous sin while not being disciplined by the church (1 Corinthians 1:10–17; 3:1–23; 5:1–8). Paul can't visit them; he's just too emotional (2 Corinthians 1:15–16, 23; 2:1–4). He writes them a scathing letter and possibly sends it with Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6–7, 13).

After Paul sends the letter, he gets anxious about the Corinthians' reaction to it, even regretting that he'd sent it (2 Corinthians 7:8). He's already decided to go north to Troas and then west to Macedonia (1 Corinthians 16:5), but when he doesn't find Titus in Troas his anxiety grows. He leaves Troas for Macedonia, surrounded by spiritual warfare and filled with anxiety. Thankfully, Titus is there and brings Paul encouraging news: the church in Corinth longs for Paul and is "grieved into repenting" (2 Corinthians 2:12–13; 7:5–9). Paul travels through Macedonia and down to Corinth where he stays for three months (Acts 20:2–3).

From Corinth, Paul plans to sail straight to Caesarea Maritima in Judea and travel to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, the Jewish leaders of the synagogue plot against him, and he must go back north through Macedonia, then east to Troas (Acts 20:3, 5–6). Shortly after Paul arrives in Jerusalem, Jews from the area around Ephesus falsely accuse him of taking a Gentile into the temple. Paul spends two years under house arrest before being taken as a prisoner to Rome.

Acts 19:21–22 is a short break in the middle of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. We have learned that a great many who practice witchcraft realize Paul, by the Holy Spirit, has real power, and have come to trust in Jesus (Acts 19:11–20). Now, Paul prepares to leave Ephesus, sending Timothy and Erastus ahead of him to Macedonia. Next, a riot started by idol craftsmen will provide the final impetus to convince Paul to move on (Acts 19:23—20:1).

Chapter Summary:

Acts 19 recounts Paul's three-year visit in Ephesus. He starts by revealing how Jesus of Nazareth has brought to life the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit validates Paul's message by healing those struck with physical ailments and demon possession. Amazed by Paul's authority over evil spirits, so many magicians turn to Christ that the craftsmen who make idols fear for their livelihoods. They nearly incite a riot before the town clerk settles them down. Paul realizes his time in Ephesus has ended, and he travels to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

Chapter Context:

Acts 19 is the meat of Paul's third missionary voyage. He has already revisited the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now he returns to Ephesus for a three-year stay. After firmly establishing the church there, rescuing many from pagan magic and the worship of Artemis, he returns to Macedonia and Greece. A threat on his life sends him back up to Macedonia and across to Troas. He meets briefly with the Ephesian elders to tell them they will not meet again (Acts 20). When he returns to Jerusalem, he is arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.

Accessed 5/3/2024 5:52:05 AM