Chapter

Acts 21:14

ESV And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
NIV When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, 'The Lord's will be done.'
NASB And since he would not be persuaded, we became quiet, remarking, 'The will of the Lord be done!'
CSB Since he would not be persuaded, we said no more except, "The Lord's will be done."
NLT When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, 'The Lord’s will be done.'
KJV And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

What does Acts 21:14 mean?

When Philip's daughters and Agabus warned the church in Caesarea Maritima that Paul would be arrested in Jerusalem, they begged Paul to stay away (Acts 21:9–12). They didn't understand that the Holy Spirit means for them to encourage Paul, not protect him. Paul has finally convinced the church as well as his traveling companions that this is the Holy Spirit's plan.

Paul is already resigned. He's known this will be his fate for several months (Acts 20:22–24). In fact, Paul was warned when he first came to Christ that he would face suffering (Acts 9:16). Paul's companions have been less sure. He's already escaped many entanglements, including being stoned (Acts 14:19). They find it difficult to think he should voluntarily walk into a situation where he will be imprisoned.

Jesus faced a similar situation. In the garden of Gethsemane, as He waited for the Sanhedrin guards to arrest Him, Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done" (Luke 22:42). Jesus didn't want to be crucified, but He wanted to obey the Father and provide salvation for us more.

Jesus also endured "helpful" friends. When Jesus mentioned He needed to go to Jerusalem where He would be killed, Peter rebuked Him until Jesus told him, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man" (Mark 8:31–33). In the garden of Gethsemane, as the guards surrounded Jesus, Peter again stepped in and tried to defend Him with a sword, and Jesus again rebuked him (Luke 22:49–51). Finally, after the resurrection, Mary Magdalene clung to Jesus so tightly He couldn't move. He gently reminded her that He had more work to do—and so did she (John 20:15–18).
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