Bible Strands
Acts 20:23
I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian elders at Miletus as he prepares to depart for Jerusalem. He speaks this statement while explaining his compelled journey despite his uncertainty about his future.
The words — The particle πλὴν (plēn) translates literally as "except" or "only," marking a sharp contrast to his previous admission of not knowing his fate. The phrase κατὰ πόλιν (kata polin) means "in every city," specifying the geographical scope of the Holy Spirit's warning.
The thread — This pattern of Spirit-prompted suffering appears in Acts 9:16, where the Lord tells Ananias Paul must suffer for His name, and Acts 21:4, where disciples in Tyre are led by the Spirit to urge Paul not to go. The theme of destined trials also echoes in 1 Thessalonians 3:3.
Why it lands — The text explicitly states that the Holy Spirit warns of chains and afflictions ahead, establishing suffering as a known component of the journey. It asks the reader to accept impending hardship as a fixed reality of obedience rather than a reason to abandon the assigned ministry.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
Cross-references
- Acts 9:16 I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
- Acts 21:4 We 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 Thessalonians 3:3 so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
- Acts 14:22 strengthening 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 21:33 The 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 21:11 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.’”
- 2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
- John 16:33 I 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!”
- Acts 8:29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”