Question 1

Who is Philip the evangelist mentioned in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Philip the evangelist was one of the seven men first chosen to serve the early church in practical ways so the apostles could focus on prayer and the word. Later he became known for preaching the good news, so he is called an evangelist. In this passage, Paul and his group stay at Philip’s house in Caesarea. Philip’s home is pictured as a faithful, well-ordered household, even having four daughters who prophesy. His ongoing service shows how someone who is faithful in earlier tasks can continue to be useful in God’s work over many years.

Question 2

Why are Philip’s four daughters who prophesied mentioned here?

Accepted Answer

Philip’s four daughters are mentioned to show how God was blessing that household and the early church. All four were unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy, which means God used them to speak about things to come. This was not an ordinary ability, but a special gift of the Spirit, given at that time to both men and women. It showed that God was confirming the message about Jesus in a powerful way. Their mention also hints that Philip’s home was devoted to God, and that his family shared in the work, not just Philip alone.

Question 3

Who is Agabus and why does he bind his own hands and feet?

Accepted Answer

Agabus is described as a prophet who comes down from Judea to Caesarea. He has a special calling from God to speak about future events. When he arrives, he takes Paul’s belt, ties his own hands and feet, and then says that the Holy Spirit is showing what will happen to the man who owns the belt. This kind of acted picture follows the pattern of earlier prophets who used signs to make God’s message very clear. Agabus’s action deeply moves those watching, helping them feel how real Paul’s coming suffering will be.

Question 4

What does Agabus’s prophecy about Paul being bound in Jerusalem mean?

Accepted Answer

Agabus’s prophecy explains that when Paul goes to Jerusalem, the Jews there will bind him and hand him over to the Gentiles. The binding shows arrest and loss of freedom. God is not hiding the coming hardship from Paul. Instead, God lets everyone see that this suffering is known ahead of time and allowed by Him. The prophecy confirms that Paul’s path will be hard, but also that he is walking in a calling God has set. It prepares the believers, so they know Paul is not caught by surprise, but goes forward willingly.

Question 5

Why do Paul’s friends beg him not to go up to Jerusalem?

Accepted Answer

Paul’s friends and the local believers beg him not to go because they love him and have just seen and heard a very clear warning about his coming chains. The image of Agabus tied up with Paul’s belt shakes them, and they fear losing Paul or seeing him suffer badly. Their reaction is very human and shows genuine affection and concern. They are trying to protect him and, in their minds, the good of the church. Yet their care pulls against God’s plan for Paul, which creates real tension between love and obedience.

Question 6

Why does Paul say he is ready to be bound and even to die at Jerusalem?

Accepted Answer

Paul answers their tears by saying they are breaking his heart, but he is ready not only to be bound, but to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. This shows how deeply he is committed to Jesus and to the work he has been given. He does not deny that the danger is real or that their grief hurts him, but God’s call outweighs his fear. For Paul, following Jesus and serving Him matters more than his own safety. His words show that true service sometimes means accepting suffering rather than running from it.

Question 7

What does the phrase “The will of the Lord be done” show in this story?

Accepted Answer

When Paul’s friends see that he will not change his mind, they stop trying to persuade him and say, “The will of the Lord be done.” This does not mean they feel nothing or that the situation is easy. It means they choose to submit their strong emotions to what God is doing, even though they do not fully understand it. They move from trying to prevent Paul’s suffering to trusting that God’s plan is wiser than their fears. This line shows how believers can let God’s will guide them when their own feelings pull the other way.

Question 8

Who is Mnason of Cyprus, and why is he mentioned?

Accepted Answer

Mnason of Cyprus is called an “old disciple,” meaning he had followed Jesus for a long time. Some disciples from Caesarea travel with Paul and bring Mnason along, because Paul and his group are going to stay at his house when they reach Jerusalem. He is mentioned to show how other believers helped Paul with very practical needs like lodging. Mnason’s hospitality is part of the larger picture of Christian community in this passage. While Paul faces danger, older and newer believers alike support him by opening their homes and walking with him.

Question 9

How does this passage help us think about suffering and God’s guidance today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God can clearly warn His people about coming trouble and still lead them into it. Paul is not in the dark; he knows hardship is ahead, yet he goes forward out of obedience. His friends show honest fear and sadness, but in the end they yield to God’s will. For us, this helps us see that following Jesus does not always mean avoiding pain. Sometimes it means facing it with open eyes, trusting that God’s purposes are good, even when they bring loss, and supporting each other rather than pulling one another away from God’s call.

Acts 21:8

And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

Paul Visits Philip the Evangelist

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Acts 21:8

And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

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Paul Visits Philip the Evangelist

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