And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Which when we had heard, both we and they that were of that place, desired him that he would not go up to Jerusalem.

And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

And when we heard these things, we called upon him, both we, and those of that place, not to go up to Jerusalem,

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, sought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

As soon as we heard these words, both we and the brethren at Caesarea entreated Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

And hearing these things, we and those who were living in that place made request to him not to go to Jerusalem.

When we heard that, we and the people of the place began to entreat Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

Both we. Because they had not all one revelation, it is no marvel if their judgments were diverse. For seeing these holy men knew that there consisted much in the life or death of one man, they would not have him to come in danger rashly. And their desire is worthy [of] praise, in that they desired to provide for the common safety of the Church by keeping back Paul. But, on the other side, Paul's constancy deserveth so much the more praise, when as he continueth so steadfast [1] in the calling of God. For he was not ignorant what great trouble he should suffer by reason of his bands. But because he knoweth the will of God, which was his only rule in taking counsel, he maketh no account of all other things, that he may follow it. And, assuredly, we must be so subject to the will and pleasure of God, that no profit, no kind of reason may remove us from obeying him. [2] When Paul doth reprehend the brethren, because they afflict his heart with weeping, he doth sufficiently declare that he was not hardened, [3] but that he was brought unto some feeling and suffering together with them. [4] Therefore, the tears of the godly did wound his heart; but that softness did not turn him out of the way, but that he proceeded to follow God with a straight course. Therefore, we must use such courtesy toward our brethren, that the beck or will of God have always the upper hand. Now Paul doth again declare by his answer, that the servants of Christ cannot be prepared to do their duty, unless they despise death; and that none can ever be well encouraged to live to the Lord, but those who will willingly lay down their lives for the testimony of the truth.

Footnotes

1 - "Inflexibilis," inflexible,

2 - "A simplici ejus obsequio," from simple obedience to him.

3 - "Ferreum," iron-hearted.

4 - "Quin amore ad sumpatheian induceretur," but by love was induced to sympathy.

Besought him not to go up to Jerusalem - For they all understood the prophecy to be conditional and contingent; and that it was in Paul's power to turn the scale.

And when we heard these things,.... These prophecies, concerning the binding of the apostle by the Jews, and the delivery of him to the Romans, and saw the symbolical representations of these things:
both we; the companions of the apostle, Luke and the rest:
and they of that place; of Caesarea, Philip and his daughters, and the disciples that lived there:
besought him not to go up to Jerusalem; which was an instance of weakness in them, though an expression of their affection to the apostle; in the disciples of Caesarea it might arise from pure love to him, and a concern for his safety, and the continuance of his useful life; and in his companions it might be owing partly to their sincere love to him, and partly to the fear of danger which they themselves might conclude they should be exposed to; and this request was made with tears, as is evident from what follows.

we and they at that place--the CÃ&brvbr;sarean Christians.
besought him--even with tears, Acts 21:13.
not to go to Jerusalem.

Both we, (his fellow travellers,) and they of the place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem - St. Paul knew that this prediction had the force of a command. They did not know this.