Acts 20:22
New International Version
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

New Living Translation
“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me,

English Standard Version
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,

Berean Standard Bible
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

Berean Literal Bible
And now behold, bound in the Spirit I go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me in it,

King James Bible
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

New King James Version
And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

New American Standard Bible
And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

NASB 1995
“And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

NASB 1977
“And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

Legacy Standard Bible
And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

Amplified Bible
And now, compelled by the Spirit and obligated by my convictions, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

Christian Standard Bible
“And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there,

American Standard Version
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

Contemporary English Version
I don't know what will happen to me in Jerusalem, but I must obey God's Spirit and go there.

English Revised Version
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"I am determined to go to Jerusalem now. I don't know what will happen to me there.

Good News Translation
And now, in obedience to the Holy Spirit I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

International Standard Version
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

Majority Standard Bible
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

NET Bible
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem without knowing what will happen to me there,

New Heart English Bible
And now, look, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;

Webster's Bible Translation
And now behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

Weymouth New Testament
"And now, impelled by a sense of duty, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

World English Bible
Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And now, behold, I—bound in the Spirit—go on to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will befall me in it,

Berean Literal Bible
And now behold, bound in the Spirit I go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me in it,

Young's Literal Translation
'And now, lo, I -- bound in the Spirit -- go on to Jerusalem, the things that shall befall me in it not knowing,

Smith's Literal Translation
And now, behold, I, bound in the spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things going to happen to me in it;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And now, behold, being bound in the spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And now, behold, being obliged in spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

New American Bible
But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know,

New Revised Standard Version
And now, as a captive to the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in the spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And now I am shackled by The Spirit, and I go on to Jerusalem, and I do not know what will meet me there.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And now, behold, I am going, bound in spirit, to Jerusalem, not knowing what shall befall me there,

Godbey New Testament
And now, behold, I go to Jerusalem bound in spirit, not knowing the things which shall come upon me in it:

Haweis New Testament
And now behold I am going, bound by the Spirit, unto Jerusalem, not knowing what things shall there befal me:

Mace New Testament
in our Lord Jesus Christ, but now I am fix'd in my resolution to go to Jerusalem, without any apprehension of what may befal me there:

Weymouth New Testament
"And now, impelled by a sense of duty, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

Worrell New Testament
And, now, behold, I, bound by the Spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there;

Worsley New Testament
And now, being constrained by the spirit, behold I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will befal me there:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesians
21testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.…

Cross References
Acts 21:11-14
Coming 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.’” / When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. / Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ...

Acts 9:16
I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”

Acts 19:21
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”

Romans 15:30-32
Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. / Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, / so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

2 Corinthians 5:14
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

Philippians 1:20-21
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. / For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. / I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. / From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

Luke 9:51
As the day of His ascension approached, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Galatians 2:2
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.

Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.

1 Corinthians 9:16
Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Romans 8:14
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Isaiah 50:7
Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.

Jeremiah 20:9
If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.


Treasury of Scripture

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

I go.

Acts 19:21
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.

Acts 21:11-14
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles…

Luke 9:51
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

not.

Luke 18:31-33
Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished…

John 13:1
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 18:4
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

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Befall Bound Compelled Duty Impelled Jerusalem Prisoner Sense Spirit Way
Acts 20
1. Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas.
7. He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches.
9. Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life.
13. Paul continues his travels;
17. and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself,
28. commits God's flock to them,
29. warns them of false teachers,
32. commends them to God,
36. prays with them, and departs.














And now
This phrase marks a transition, indicating a pivotal moment in Paul's journey. The Greek word "καὶ νῦν" (kai nyn) suggests an immediate and pressing action. It reflects Paul's sense of urgency and the divine timing in his mission. Historically, this moment is significant as Paul is addressing the Ephesian elders, emphasizing the importance of his message and the gravity of his decision.

compelled by the Spirit
The Greek word for "compelled" is "δεδεμένος" (dedemenos), which can also mean "bound" or "tied." This indicates a strong, irresistible force guiding Paul. The "Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who plays a crucial role in guiding and empowering believers. This phrase underscores the divine guidance and obedience to God's will, a central theme in Paul's ministry. It highlights the importance of being sensitive to the Spirit's leading in our own lives.

I am going to Jerusalem
Paul's journey to Jerusalem is not just a physical journey but a spiritual pilgrimage. Jerusalem holds significant historical and religious importance as the center of Jewish worship and the early Christian church. Paul's determination to go there, despite the unknown dangers, reflects his commitment to his mission and his willingness to face persecution for the sake of the Gospel. This journey is reminiscent of Jesus' own journey to Jerusalem, where He faced His crucifixion, drawing a parallel between Paul's and Christ's dedication to God's plan.

not knowing what will happen to me there
This phrase reveals Paul's uncertainty about the future, yet it also demonstrates his faith and trust in God's sovereignty. The Greek word "γινώσκων" (ginōskōn) means "knowing" or "understanding," and its use here highlights Paul's human limitations in contrast to divine omniscience. Historically, Jerusalem was a place of both opportunity and danger for early Christians. Paul's willingness to embrace the unknown is an inspirational example of faith in action, encouraging believers to trust God even when the path ahead is unclear.

(22) And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit.--The question meets us as before (see Note on Acts 19:21), whether the words refer to the direct action of the Holy Spirit or to the higher element of St. Paul's own nature, as in 1Corinthians 5:3; 2Corinthians 2:13. On the whole, the latter seems the more probable, subject, as before, to the reservation that the word is used because it points to that part of his being which was most in communion with the Divine Spirit. (Comp. Romans 8:16.) He was going to Jerusalem regardless of results, under a constraint which virtually limited the freedom of his human will. As in 1Corinthians 9:16, a "necessity" was laid upon him.

Verse 22. - Bound in the spirit. Τῷ πνεύματι, may either mean "in my spirit" or "by the Spirit," i.e. the Holy Ghost. If the former, which is the most probable sense (as τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον follows in the next verse), is taken, the sense will be that St. Paul felt himself constrained to go to Jerusalem. A sense of absolute necessity was upon him, and he did not feel himself a free agent to go anywhere else. If the latter sense be taken, the meaning will be that the Holy Ghost was constraining him to go to Jerusalem.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

now,
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

compelled
δεδεμένος (dedemenos)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

by the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Spirit,
πνεύματι (pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

am going
πορεύομαι (poreuomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Jerusalem,
Ἰερουσαλήμ (Ierousalēm)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2419: Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

knowing
εἰδώς (eidōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

what
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

will happen
συναντήσοντά (synantēsonta)
Verb - Future Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4876: To meet, encounter, fall in with. From sun and a derivative of anti; to meet with; figuratively, to occur.

to me
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[there].
αὐτῇ (autē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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Acts 20:21
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