Acts 20:22

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 20:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Acts 20:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And now behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, etc.] Not in his own spirit, though the Ethiopic version reads, “in my spirit”; as if he was pressed and straitened, and troubled within himself, at what afflictions and bonds he was to endure at Jerusalem; for this is not consistent with what he says in (<442024>Acts 20:24) nor is the sense, that he was bound in conscience and duty to go to Jerusalem, to carry the collections of the churches made for the poor saints there, which the Gentile churches importuned him to take upon him, and which he undertook, and promised to perform, and so was under obligation to do it; but rather that he was resolved and determined in his own mind,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And now, behold, I--"I" is emphatic here. bound in the spirit--compare Act 19:21. This internal pressure, unattended with any knowledge of "what was to befall him there," was the result of that higher guidance which shaped all his movements.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Bound in the spirit - Strongly urged or constrained by the influences of the Holy Spirit on my mind. Not by any desire to see the place where my fathers worshipped, and not urged merely by reason, but by the convictions and mighty promptings of the Holy Spirit to do my duty in this case. The expression “bound in the spirit” δεδεμένος τῷ πνεύματι dedemenos tō pneumati is one of great strength and emphasis. The word δέω deō, “to bind,” is usually applied to “confinement by cords, fetters, or bands” Matthew 13:30; Matthew 14:3; Matthew 21:2; and then it denotes “any strong obligation” Romans 7:2, or “anything that strongly urges or impels,” Matthew 21:2. When we are strongly urged by the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bound by the Spirit - Strongly impelled by him. Acts 20:23”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I go: Act 19:21, Act 21:11-14; Luk 9:51, Luk 12:50; Co2 5:14 not: Luk 18:31-33; Joh 13:1, Joh 18:4; Jam 4:14; Pe2 1:14 Acts 20:23”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification