Bound for Jerusalem

Paul's company sailed past Cyprus and landed at Tyre. Finding disciples, they stayed seven days, and these said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem. When the days were completed, the disciples with their wives and children brought them out of the city, and they knelt on the beach and prayed before parting.

At Caesarea they entered the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, who had four virgin daughters who prophesied. Agabus came down from Judea, took Paul's belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said that the owner of this belt would be bound in Jerusalem and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. Both his companions and the local believers begged Paul not to go up.

Paul answered that they were breaking his heart, for he was ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. When he would not be persuaded, they ceased, saying, "The Lord's will be done." In Jerusalem, James and all the elders heard Paul's report and glorified God. They advised him to join four men in their purification at the temple, to show that he kept the law.

When the seven days were almost completed, some who saw him in the temple stirred up the multitude, claiming he taught against the people, the law, and the temple. The city was moved; they seized Paul and dragged him out, and the doors were shut. As they sought to kill him, news reached the commanding officer, who ran down with soldiers. He bound Paul with two chains and, unable to learn the facts because of the noise, ordered him brought into the barracks. Paul, speaking in Greek, asked to address the people, and standing on the stairs, he motioned with his hand for silence.