Acts 21:4

Finding disciples. Literally, “having looked up the disciples.” This can scarcely mean disciples who happened to be there, but an aggregation of Tyrian Christians. Hence this is the first specific mention of a church at Tyre, though one had probably existed there for many years (see chs. 11:19; 15:3).

Seven days. Paul was desirous of being at Jerusalem for Pentecost (ch. 20:16), but realizing that he had time, and doubtless under the urging of the church at Tyre, he spent a week there.

Who said. Or, “who kept telling.” Perhaps these prophetic warnings were given on the Sabbath or at other meetings of the church of Tyre, and evidently by men possessing the gifts of the Spirit (see Gal. 6:1; cf. pp. 26, 40).

Through the Spirit. This cannot mean the human “spirit” of the men, but the Holy Spirit of God, so prominent a Personage in the Acts (cf. chs. 2:2-4; 5:3; 8:39; 10:44, 45; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6,7).

Should not go up. This must evidently not be understood as a prohibition by the Holy Spirit of continuing his journey to Jerusalem, such as prevented him from entering Asia and Bithynia (ch. 16:6, 7), for Paul would not have disobeyed a direct forbidding of the Holy Spirit. Rather, it must be viewed as a warning, more definitely given by Agabus at Caesarea a little later (ch. 21:10, 11).