Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 21:4

4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

They tarried the rather so long, that they might worship and serve the Lord on his day together.

By the spirit of Prophecy they foretold his sufferings at Ierusalem, which afterward accordingly befel unto him; and they being ignorant of his undertaking that Journey at Gods command, out of commiseration and pity disswade St. Paul from going to such a place, where they foresaw that he should suffer so much: And this, 'tis said, they did through the spirit, because they had that foreknowledge of all his sufferings from the Spirit; and knowing but in part, being ignorant of that special command Paul had had to go to Ierusalem, they did, according to what they knew, disswade Paul from that Journey: But they knowing that their Prophecy about St. Paul's sufferings must be fulfilled, and the Spirit by which they spake could not err or be mistaken; How come they to disswade St. Paul from going to Ierusalem? It may be answered, That they might think this Prediction of his sufferings to be only conditional, in case he went to Ierusalem; as David was told, That the men of Keilah would deliver him to Saul, 1 Sam. 23.11.12. That is, in case he had trusted himself amongst them.

Marginal references: Chap. 20.23.