Acts 21:13 records Paul’s response to the pleas of believers who, having heard prophetic warnings, begged him not to go to Jerusalem (cf. Acts 21:10–12). Agabus had just foretold that Paul would be bound and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. This verse is Paul’s deeply emotional but determined reply — revealing the heart of an apostle prepared for suffering and death for the name of Jesus.
Structural Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη τε ὁ Παῦλος·
τί ποιεῖτε κλαίοντες καὶ συνθρύπτοντές μου τὴν καρδίαν;
ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐ μόνον δεθῆναι,
ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀποθανεῖν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἑτοίμως ἔχω
ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ.
The verse contains:
- An introductory narrative clause: ἀπεκρίθη τε ὁ Παῦλος — “Then Paul answered.”
- A rhetorical question: τί ποιεῖτε…; — expressing emotional anguish.
- A personal declaration of resolve: ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐ μόνον…ἀλλὰ καὶ… — a not-only–but-also structure for emphasis.
- A closing purpose clause: ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος… — anchoring Paul’s readiness in devotion to Jesus.
Semantic Nuances
ἀπεκρίθη τε — “Then he answered.” The verb ἀποκρίνομαι (aorist passive deponent) indicates a formal or weighty reply. The τε continues the narrative sequence with rhetorical emphasis.
τί ποιεῖτε — “What are you doing?” — a present indicative verb expressing both inquiry and rebuke. This introduces the emotional content of Paul’s reaction.
κλαίοντες καὶ συνθρύπτοντές — “weeping and breaking.” Both are present participles, indicating continuous or ongoing actions. συνθρύπτω is a rare verb meaning “to shatter, crush.” The compound intensifies the image: “you are breaking my heart into pieces.”
μου τὴν καρδίαν — “my heart.” Placing the object τὴν καρδίαν before the verb highlights the emotional core of Paul’s lament.
ἐγὼ γὰρ — “For I…” — emphatic personal pronoun followed by the reason marker γάρ. Paul’s identity and determination are foregrounded.
οὐ μόνον δεθῆναι, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀποθανεῖν — “not only to be bound, but also to die.” Both are aorist infinitives, conveying completed action or willingness in principle. The classic “not only… but also” structure intensifies the magnitude of Paul’s commitment.
εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἑτοίμως ἔχω — “I am ready to [do so] in Jerusalem.” ἑτοίμως means “readily, willingly.” The verb ἔχω here conveys internal disposition: “I possess readiness.” εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ marks the location of the anticipated suffering.
ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ — “for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.” ὑπὲρ indicates purpose or benefit — Paul’s suffering is not for its own sake but for Christ’s name, which in biblical idiom represents His person, reputation, and authority.
Syntactical Insight
The rhetorical question τί ποιεῖτε…; frames the whole verse emotionally and theologically. The participial construction κλαίοντες καὶ συνθρύπτοντες shows their emotional pressure on Paul — and his distress.
The juxtaposition of δεθῆναι and ἀποθανεῖν builds a crescendo: Paul is not just ready to be imprisoned — he is ready to die. The positioning of ἐγὼ γάρ emphasizes that this is not a stoic boast, but a deeply personal testimony of readiness in Christ.
Historical and Cultural Background
In the Greco-Roman world, martyrdom was sometimes associated with honor and valor, but Paul reframes suffering through the lens of Jesus’ example. To suffer ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος is not mere religious devotion — it is union with the crucified Christ. The name of Jesus evokes not only authority but salvific identity (cf. Acts 4:12).
This passage also echoes the prophetic resistance to Paul’s journey — reminiscent of Jesus’ own journey to Jerusalem where suffering awaited (cf. Luke 9:51).
Intertextuality
- Acts 20:24: “I do not account my life of any value… if only I may finish my course…” — a similar resolve.
- Luke 22:42: “Not my will, but yours be done.” — Jesus’ own surrender mirrors Paul’s.
- Philippians 1:21: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Hermeneutical Reflection
Acts 21:13 offers a model of gospel-centered resolve. The Greek reveals Paul’s internal anguish (συνθρύπτοντές μου τὴν καρδίαν) and unshakable commitment (ἑτοίμως ἔχω). Christian discipleship is not always marked by calm assurance but often by costly tears. Yet it remains anchored ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος — for Jesus’ sake.
The Tears That Can’t Turn Us Back
Paul’s grammar carries weight: κλαίοντες…συνθρύπτοντες — your grief wounds me; ἐγὼ γὰρ — but I must go; οὐ μόνον…ἀλλὰ καὶ — not just chains, but death if needed. ἑτοίμως ἔχω — I’m ready. And all this ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος — for the Lord whose name I bear. In Acts 21:13, the mission is clear: not comfort, but Christ.
