I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.
Parallel translations
- WEB except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.
- KJV Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
- NKJV except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
- NASB except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me.
- NLT except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Holy Spirit repeatedly warns Paul that imprisonment and afflictions await him in city after city. He goes forward knowing suffering lies ahead.
Overview
Through prophetic warnings in each city, the Spirit prepares Paul for the bonds and hardships to come, yet does not turn him back. The forewarning underscores that Paul's coming sufferings are within God's foreknowledge and plan, not accidents. Like his Master, Paul walks knowingly toward suffering for the sake of the gospel and the name of Jesus.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Acts 9:16I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
- Acts 21:4We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
- 1 Th 3:3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
- Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Acts 21:33The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
- Acts 21:11Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
- 2 Tim 2:12if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
- Acts 8:29The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”
- John 16:33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 20:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.