1When we had parted from them and set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. [21:2] Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. [21:3] When we sighted Cyprus, leaving it on the port side, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre — for the ship was to unload its cargo there. [21:4] Having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days. They — through the Spirit — kept telling Paul not to set foot in Jerusalem. [21:5] When it came about that our days there were ended, we departed and went on our way. All of them — together with wives and children — escorted us outside the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed [21:6] and said farewell to one another. Then we tore ourselves away and went aboard the ship, and they returned home. [21:7] We finished the voyage from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.
ACT 21:1-7
Paulʼs Journey to Jerusalem
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, sea travel was a common but perilous endeavor, often dictated by seasonal winds and the availability of ships. Paul’s journey from Cos to Rhodes, Patara, and finally Tyre reflects the typical route of coastal and open-sea navigation, where ships often stopped at major ports to unload cargo and resupply. Tyre, a bustling Phoenician port city, was a hub of trade and commerce, making it a logical stop for Paul’s ship. The mention of Cyprus being left “on the left” indicates precise nautical terminology, familiar to sailors who navigated by landmarks. The seven-day stay in Tyre underscores the importance of local Christian communities, who, through prophetic insight , urged Paul not to proceed to Jerusalem. This reflects the early church’s reliance on spiritual guidance and communal discernment, as well as the tension between Paul’s mission and the concerns of fellow believers.
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How other translations render this
ACT 21:1
- KJV
- And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
- BSB
- After we had torn ourselves away from them, we sailed directly to Cos, and the next day on to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
- Koinōnos
- When we had parted from them and set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
ACT 21:2
- KJV
- And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
- BSB
- Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded it and set sail.
- Koinōnos
- Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
ACT 21:3
- KJV
- Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
- BSB
- After sighting Cyprus and passing south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.
- Koinōnos
- When we sighted Cyprus, leaving it on the port side, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre — for the ship was to unload its cargo there.
ACT 21:4
- KJV
- And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
- BSB
- We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
- Koinōnos
- Having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days. They — through the Spirit — kept telling Paul not to set foot in Jerusalem.
ACT 21:5
- KJV
- And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
- BSB
- But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
- Koinōnos
- When it came about that our days there were ended, we departed and went on our way. All of them — together with wives and children — escorted us outside the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed
ACT 21:6
- KJV
- And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
- BSB
- And after we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
- Koinōnos
- and said farewell to one another. Then we tore ourselves away and went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
ACT 21:7
- KJV
- And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
- BSB
- When we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.
- Koinōnos
- We finished the voyage from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 21:1
- sailing:The word translated 'sailing' here specifically refers to putting out to sea or setting sail, emphasizing the beginning of a sea journey rather than just the act of sailing.
ACT 21:3
- on the left:The term translated 'on the left' literally means 'of good name' or 'honored,' but in nautical contexts, it was a euphemism for 'left' or 'port side,' likely to avoid ill omens associated with the direct word for left.
ACT 21:4
- and:The word translated 'and' here carries the sense of 'finding out' or 'discovering' something after a search, implying an active effort to locate the disciples.
ACT 21:6
- we greeted:The word translated 'we greeted' literally means 'to draw away' or 'to tear away,' suggesting a separation or departure from the disciples after the greeting, rather than just the act of greeting itself.