Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
The setting
Caesarea, Israel, ~57 AD. Paul's traveling companions and local believers are weeping, begging him not to go to Jerusalem where certain arrest awaits.
The emotion here: heartbroken but resolute
The original word
sunklaiō (συγκλαίω) — to weep together, shared grief that's physically breaking hearts
Why it matters
Paul had already survived five floggings, three beatings, and one stoning by this point
Read with care
What most readers miss in Acts 21:13
Paul says they're BREAKING his heart — he's torn between love for them and obedience to God
Common misconceptionPeople think Paul was coldly dismissing his friends' concerns. Actually, he admits they're breaking his heart — he feels the weight of their love but chooses obedience anyway.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Acts 21:13
Bible Genome reading
Acts 21:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Acts 21:13 comes from the book of Acts, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is tender. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include courage, sacrificial love. Notable phrases: weeping and breaking my heart; ready not only to be bound.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Acts 21:13 mean to you, today?
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