Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 30
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 30
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
5 of 30
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ποιεῖτε
mean ye
G4160
ποιεῖτε
mean ye
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
6 of 30
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
κλαίοντες
to weep
G2799
κλαίοντες
to weep
Strong's:
G2799
Word #:
7 of 30
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνθρύπτοντές
to break
G4919
συνθρύπτοντές
to break
Strong's:
G4919
Word #:
9 of 30
to crush together, i.e., (figuratively) to dispirit
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίαν
heart
G2588
καρδίαν
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
12 of 30
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
14 of 30
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
δεθῆναι
to be bound
G1210
δεθῆναι
to be bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
17 of 30
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
ἀλλὰ
also
G235
ἀλλὰ
also
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
18 of 30
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
at
G1519
εἰς
at
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
21 of 30
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
22 of 30
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
ἔχω
am
G2192
ἔχω
am
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
24 of 30
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
25 of 30
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματος
the name
G3686
ὀνόματος
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
27 of 30
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.Philippians 2:17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.Revelation 12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.2 Timothy 4:6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.Acts 5:41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.Acts 20:37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,Colossians 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:2 Peter 1:14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.Revelation 3:10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.Acts 9:16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Historical Context
This statement proved prophetic of Paul's eventual martyrdom, though not immediately in Jerusalem. Paul's readiness to die manifested the apostolic witness Jesus commissioned (Acts 1:8), where 'witness' (martys) eventually came to mean 'martyr.'
Questions for Reflection
- Are you willing to follow Christ's calling even when it costs you the comfort and approval of fellow believers?
- How does Paul's example challenge modern Christianity's emphasis on personal safety and comfort?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's passionate response - 'What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?' - reveals his deep love for fellow believers while maintaining resolute obedience to Christ. His willingness 'to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus' echoes Jesus's own determination to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and exemplifies the cruciform life Paul described in his letters (Galatians 2:20).