Soon after the apostle’s arrival at Caesarea, the prophet Agabus came down from Judea. He had been warned by the Holy Spirit, of the fate which awaited Paul, and in the symbolic manner of the ancient prophets he loosened the apostle’s girdle, and with it bound his own hands and feet, saying, “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” The companions of Paul had been aware that his visit to Jerusalem would be attended with great peril; but they had not foreseen the full extent of the danger. Now apprehension had become certainty; and to the perils to be encountered from the Jews were added the horrors of a Roman imprisonment. They earnestly entreated Paul to stay where he was, and permit them to go to Jerusalem to deliver the contributions from the Gentile churches. The brethren at Caesarea also united their prayers and tears with those of his companions: Why should he face this great peril? Why expose his precious life to the malice of the Jews? Would it not be presumptuous to go, after receiving definite warning from the Spirit of God? {LP 204.2}

Hurtig efter apostlens ankomst til Kæsarea, kom profeten Agabud ned fra Judæa. Han var blevet advaret af Helligånden, om den skæbne som ventede Paulus, på en symbolsk måde for det gamle profeter, løsnede han apostlens bælte, og med dette bandt han sine egne hænder og fødder, og sagde: »Den mand, som ejer dette bælte, skal jøderne binde således i Jerusalem og overgive i hedningers hænder.« Paulus ledsagere var klar over at hans besøg i Jerusalem ville være med stor fare; men de forudså ikke farens fulde omfang. Nu var ængstelsen blevet bekræftet; og de farer man mødte hos jøderne blev tilføjet rædslen af en romersk fængsling. De bad Paulus instændigt om at blive hvor han var, og lade dem tage til Jerusalem, for at indfri skattegælden fra de hedenske menigheder. Brødrene i Kæsarea gik også sammen i deres bønner og tårer med hans ledsagere: Hvorfor skulle han stå ansigt til denne store fare? Hvorfor sætte hans dyrebare liv på spil for jødernes ondskab? Vil det ikke være formasteligt at rejse, efter at have en tydelig advarsel fra Guds Ånd?