Now
after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
Acts 19:21-22
Acts 19 [15.] The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.
Acts 19 [21.] Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Acts 19 [22.] Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands. Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.”
Acts 19 [28.] When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel. When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him. Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together. They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people. But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Meaning:
After more than two years in Ephesus, with the word of the Lord “growing and becoming mighty” (Acts 19:20), Paul made a decision that shapes the rest of the book of Acts. Two short verses set out his route: Macedonia and Achaia, then Jerusalem, then Rome. The remaining chapters of Acts show how that plan was fulfilled, though in ways Paul could not have imagined.
- “Paul determined in the spirit”
The phrase can mean that Paul resolved in his own spirit, or that he decided under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Translators and readers differ. Later, Paul would say, “I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem” (Acts 20:22), which suggests that his decision was more than a personal plan. Either way, it was a settled purpose, held before God.
- “When he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem”
Paul wanted to revisit the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and Corinth. He also had a practical reason, which Acts mentions only briefly later (Acts 24:17): he was gathering a collection from the Gentile churches for the poor believers in Jerusalem. He wrote, “it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26), and told the Corinthians to set money aside each week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). The gift was an expression of unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
- “After I have been there, I must also see Rome”
The word “must” often expresses God’s purpose in Luke’s writings. Paul had long wanted to visit the capital: “I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far” (Romans 1:13). Writing from Corinth a few months later, he explained that he hoped to visit Rome on the way to Spain (Romans 15:23-24). The Lord later confirmed the plan: “as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). Paul did reach Rome, but as a prisoner (Acts 28:14). His resolve echoes Jesus, who “intently set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51), and it fulfils the Lord’s commission to be his witnesses “to the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
- “Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus”
Paul worked as part of a team. Timothy, his “beloved and faithful child in the Lord,” was sent ahead to remind the churches of Paul’s teaching (1 Corinthians 4:17). An Erastus later stayed at Corinth (2 Timothy 4:20), and Paul sends greetings from “Erastus, the treasurer of the city” (Romans 16:23); whether these are the same man is uncertain. Meanwhile Paul “stayed in Asia for a while,” because, as he wrote, “a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9).
The Significance of Acts 19:21-22
- Purposeful plans under God
Paul made clear plans, but he made them “in the spirit,” seeking God’s direction. “A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
- Generosity that unites
The collection for Jerusalem shows that the church is one family across nations. Practical giving can heal divisions and express gratitude for spiritual blessings received.
- Shared ministry
Paul trusted others with important work. Sending co-workers ahead multiplied his ministry and trained new leaders.
Cross-References:
Acts 23:11: "as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome." The Lord confirms Paul’s goal.
Romans 15:25: "But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints." The purpose of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51: "he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem," Jesus’ own resolve.
Proverbs 16:9: "A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps." God guides our plans.
Conclusion: After the great work in Ephesus, Paul resolved to revisit Macedonia and Achaia, take the collection to Jerusalem and then go on to Rome, and he sent Timothy and Erastus ahead. These verses outline the rest of Acts, in which God brought Paul to Rome by an unexpected road. They teach believers to make plans in dependence on the Spirit and to serve together for the spread of the Good News.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible