21:11a
he took Paul’s belt: Paul was probably wearing this belt. Agabus first untied Paul’s belt, then took it. In some languages it is more natural to include the implied information in your translation. For example:
he ⌊untied⌋ Paul’s belt and took it
belt: This kind of belt is a piece of cloth or leather about fifteen centimeters (six inches) wide. It was long enough to be wrapped around a person’s waist, probably two or more times. It was usually folded to a smaller width and then tied. It was used to hold a person’s garments closed and close to their body.
21:11b
bound his own feet and hands: The Greek words are literally “tied his own feet and hands.” It is more natural in English to say feet and hands. Translate in the order that is more natural in your language.
21:11c–e
The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’: Agabus told Paul what the Holy Spirit said. In some languages it is more natural to use indirect speech. For example:
The Holy Spirit says that in this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles
21:11c
The Holy Spirit says: This clause in Greek is literally “the Holy Spirit says these (things).” The word “these” refers to the words of 21:11d–e. The plural “these” can also be translated as “this,” referring to the whole sentence. For example:
The Holy Spirit says this:
-or-
This is what the Holy Spirit says: (Good News Translation)
21:11d
In this way: This phrase indicates that Agabus tying his hands and feet together was similar to what the Jews would do to Paul. The events of 21:27–36 fulfilled this prophecy. The actions of the Jews caused him to become a prisoner of the Romans. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
like this (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
likewise
-or-
similarly
bind: This is the same Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “bound” in 21:11b. Here is another way to translate this:
tied up (Good News Translation)
21:11e
hand him over to the Gentiles: The Greek words are literally “will give/deliver (him) into the hands of the Gentiles/nations.” The Greek words and the English words refer to the Jewish leaders putting Paul under the power of the Romans. The Romans had the power to take him to court and decide if he had done wrong. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
will give him to those who are not Jews (New Century Version)
-or-
will put him in the hands of the Gentiles
-or-
will cause him to be under the power/authority of the nations
the Gentiles: The word Gentiles refers to non-Jewish people. Here it implies the Roman authorities (21:30–33). Other ways to translate this phrase are:
people who are not Jewish (God’s Word)
-or-
those who are not Jews (New Century Version)
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