12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 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. 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. (Acts 21:12-14 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. The entire affection of the disciples to the holy apostles; Both we and they of that place besought him, that he would not go up to Jerusalem.
Learn, That the lives and liberties of those who are eminent instruments of God’s glory are very dear and precious to the faithful servants of God. Who can blame St. Paul’s companions or the disciples here, for desiring and endeavouring the preservation of so precious an instrument as the apostle was? and yet it is not improbable but Satan might have a hand in this matter, and endeavour by the apostle’s friends’ persuasion to weaken his resolution; for the devil oft endeavour to take us off from our duty by the entreaties of our friends, who mean well in what they say.
Thus when St. Peter lovingly advised our Saviour against his sufferings, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee, Mt 16:22.
Get thee behind me, Satan, says Christ. It was Peter’s tongue, but Satan tuned it. Who would have thought that Christ’s disciples would have been Satan’s instruments? We must not measure our friends’ counsel by their good meaning, but by God’s word; we must be deaf to all relations so that we may discharge our duty to God.
Thus we find the apostle here, He would not be persuaded, but expostulates with them, What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart?
Observe, 2. St. Paul’s entire affection to God, and his firm resolution for his duty: He would not be persuaded. But did the apostle do well in this, to withstand all the importunities, and reject the unanimous advice of all his friends? How does this carriage agree with that character of heavenly wisdom, That it is easy to be entreated? Jas 3:17
I answer, To the practice of our duty, it is praise-worthy to be easy to be entreated; but not from our duty. St. Paul knew his duty and understood the will of God: and therefore his friends might sooner break his heart than break his purpose.
Learn hence, That no persuasions of friends, no apprehensions of danger, should ever be able to turn us out of the way of our duty. When Peter dissuaded Christ from suffering, our Saviour rebuked him with the same indignation as he did the devil tempting him to idolatry.
Observe, 3. How the apostle lovingly and gently rebukes their fond and inordinate sorrow for his departure: What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart? As if he had said, “What mean these passionate tears and entreaties? Alas! whether you think it so or not, they are but so many snares and temptations of Satan, to turn my feet out of the way of obedience: you do as much as in you lies to break my heart; but, by the grace of God, nothing shall break me off from my purpose, nor weaken my courage and resolution for God.” When a saint is once satisfied with the call and command of God to any duty, he fears neither impending nor approaching dangers in the way of duty.
Observe, 4. The apostle’s quieting and calming arguments, with which he labours to charm their unruly passions: I am ready both to be bound, and to die for Christ.
I am ready, 1. That is, God hath fitted me for suffer-work; flesh and blood is overruled in me by the Spirit of God; I am prepared for whatever God pleaseth; be it a prison, be it a scaffold, be it life, be it death, I am provided for both.
Liberty is dear, and life is dear, but Christ is dearer than either: therefore what mean you to work against the design of God, who hath fitted and prepared my heart for suffering service?
I am ready, 2. That is, my will and resolution stands in a full bent: my heart is fixed,– my friends, my heart is fixed; do not, therefore, disorder and discompose my spirits, by casting such temptations and stumbling blocks in my way; for I am come to a point, nothing shall divert me from this noble enterprise for God.
I am ready, 3. That is, fully determined to comply with the call and command of God; whatever befalls me, I am not so solicitous about that: my Captain that leads me on, I am sure, will bring me off safe, either dead or alive. Therefore all your tears and entreaties are but cast away upon me; ye had better be quiet, and cheerfully resign me up to the will of God; for I am ready both to be bound and to die.
From whence learn, That it is a blessed and excellent frame of spirit when the servants of God are prepared and ready for the hardest services and sharpest sufferings, to which the Lord may at any time call them: I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Observe, 5. The disciple’s discretion: When he would not be persuaded they ceased; that is, they gave over their importunities, and urged him no further beyond his own inclinations and resolutions.
It is the disposition of humble spirits to submit to those that are wiser than themselves, and not to be too stiff and peremptory in their own opinions and conceits; a lesson which most men have great need to learn.
Observe, 6. The pious ground of their discretion; namely, acquiescence in the divine will: The will of the Lord be done. They refer the event to God’s determination and submit all to his sovereign pleasure.
Thence learn, That it is the duty and desire, and ought to be the care and endeavour, of all the children of God, to be willing to submit themselves and theirs to the dispensation of God’s providence, in whatever befalls either them or theirs.
For this, we have Christ’s example, Father, not as I will, but as thou wilt. Mtt 26:39
The example of David, Here I am, let him do what seemeth good in his sight. 2Sa 15:26
The example of Eli, It is the Lord, let him do whatsoever he pleaseth. 1Sa 3:18
Such is his justice and righteousness, that he can do his children no wrong; and such is his tender mercy and loving-kindness, that he will do them no harm. The absolute sovereignty of God over us, and the sight of God in all his providential dispensations towards us, influences at once our judgments, our wills, and our affections, our expressions and actions, that we neither dare to think, speak, or act anything in contradiction to or in opposition against the wisdom and will of God.
That which is oft against our will is not always against our interest; but if we belong to God, all afflictions upon us are federal dispensations and covenant blessings to us, and either is good or shall work for good; therefore it is both our duty and interest to submit to the wisdom of Providence and say with these disciples, The will of the Lord be done.