The apostle was deeply moved by the entreaties of his beloved brethren. To human judgment he had sufficient reason to relinquish his plan as unwise. But he felt that he was moving in obedience to the will of God, and he could not be deterred by the voice of friends, or even the warning of the prophet. He would not swerve from the path of duty to the right hand nor to the left. He must follow Christ, if need be, to prison and to death. His tears fell not for himself, but in sympathy with his brethren, upon whom his determination had brought so great sorrow. “What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart?” he exclaimed; “for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Seeing that they caused him pain, without changing his purpose, the brethren ceased their importunity, saying only, “The will of the Lord be done.” {LP 205.1}

Apostlen var dybt berørt af hans elske brødres indstændige bønner. Ud fra den menneskelige dømmekraft havde han tilstrækkeligt grundlag til at opgive sin plan som uklog. Men han følte at han handlede i lydighed mod Guds vilje, og han kunne ikke afskrækkes af sine venners røst, eller endog af profetens advarsel. Han ville ikke vige fra pligtens stil til højre hånd eller til den venstre. Han måtte følge Kristus, om nødvendigt i fængsel og død. Hans tårer faldt ikke for sig selv, men i sympati med sine brødre, som hans afgørelse medførte stor sorg hos. »Hvorfor græder I sådan og gør mit hjerte vegt?« udbrød han; » jeg er jo ikke blot rede til at lade mig binde, men også til at dø i Jerusalem for Herren Jesu navns skyld.« Da han ikke ville lade sig overtale, blev vi stille og sagde: »Herrens vilje ske!«