Acts 21 1

Acts 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:

Acts 21:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

Acts 21:1 niv

After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara.

Acts 21:1 esv

And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

Acts 21:1 nlt

After saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, we sailed straight to the island of Cos. The next day we reached Rhodes and then went to Patara.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 1 Meaning

Acts 21:1 describes the initial segment of Paul’s final voyage towards Jerusalem after an emotional farewell with the Ephesian elders. It details the immediate departure by sea from Miletus, charting a swift course with specific stops at the islands of Cos and Rhodes, and then reaching the coastal city of Patara in Pamphylia. The verse highlights the deliberate continuation of Paul's journey despite the recent poignant parting, underscoring his resolute determination to fulfill his mission.

Acts 21 1 Context

Acts 21:1 opens a pivotal section of Luke's narrative, detailing the final stage of Paul’s third missionary journey culminating in his arrival in Jerusalem and subsequent arrest. The preceding chapter, Acts 20, concludes with Paul's profoundly emotional farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Miletus (Acts 20:17-38). This highly charged scene, where the elders openly wept, knelt, and prayed, and embraced Paul, expressing their sorrow that they would not see his face again, underscores the deep bonds formed through ministry. Luke, as part of the "we" group, was present, indicating his eyewitness account.

Historically and culturally, sea travel was the most efficient and common method for long-distance journeys across the Mediterranean. The cities mentioned—Cos, Rhodes, and Patara—were well-known port cities and vital waypoints on established trade routes for voyages between Asia Minor and the Syro-Palestinian coast. The directness and speed of the journey described in this verse (sailing "straight") suggest either favorable winds or a very determined effort to adhere to a schedule, likely due to Paul's urgency to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16). This segment sets the stage for the dramatic events and trials awaiting Paul in Jerusalem, events that Paul himself had foreseen would involve "chains and afflictions" (Acts 20:23).

Acts 21 1 Word analysis

• "After we had torn ourselves away" (Greek: ἀποσπασθέντας - apospasthentas):
  • Word Level: The verb implies a significant struggle or difficulty in separating, not just a casual departure. It conveys an emotional wrench or a forcible separation from the Ephesian elders, echoing the deep grief described in Acts 20:38.
  • Significance: This emphasizes the profound spiritual and personal bond between Paul and these leaders. It underscores the cost of discipleship and ministry, which often involves painful goodbyes to pursue God's larger purpose. It highlights the human aspect of Paul’s journey, full of emotion alongside divine conviction.
• "from them" (Greek: ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν - ap' autōn):
  • Word Level: Refers specifically to the Ephesian elders who had come to Miletus to meet Paul, as well as the larger Christian community they represented.
  • Significance: Reaffirms the preceding emotional scene (Acts 20:36-38), making it clear who Paul and his companions were leaving.
• "we put out to sea" (Greek: ἀναχθέντες - anachthentes):
  • Word Level: A standard nautical term meaning "to put to sea," "to set sail," or "to launch." It describes the act of casting off from shore.
  • Significance: Indicates the commencement of the next leg of their maritime journey immediately after the difficult farewell. It implies a swift, purposeful action despite the recent sorrow.
• "and sailed straight to Cos" (Greek: εὐθυδρομήσαμεν εἰς τὴν Κῶ - euthydromēsamen eis tēn Kō):
  • Word Level: "Sailed straight" (εὐθυδρομήσαμεν - euthydromēsamen) means to make a straight course, run a direct route, or have a swift passage. This suggests favorable winds, expert navigation, or an urgent pace. "Cos" (Κῶς - Kōs) was a large and fertile island in the Dodecanese, known for its harbor and medical school (Hippocrates' birthplace), a typical stop on voyages eastward.
  • Significance: The direct course points to an efficient and potentially providentially-blessed journey, avoiding unnecessary diversions. It underscores Paul's commitment to reaching Jerusalem quickly for Pentecost. Cos was a significant staging post for trade and travel.
• "The next day we went on to Rhodes" (Greek: τῇ δὲ ἑτέρᾳ εἰς Ῥόδον - tē de hetera eis Rodon):
  • Word Level: "The next day" (τῇ δὲ ἑτέρᾳ - tē de hetera) emphasizes the continuous and rapid progression of the journey, without delay. "Rhodes" (Ῥόδος - Rhodos) was another major island, famous for its colossus and strategic position as a bustling port and naval power in antiquity.
  • Significance: Reinforces the rapid progress. Rhodes's status as a significant maritime hub implies a major port of call on Paul’s intended route. This rapid succession of daily movements illustrates Paul’s dedication to his schedule.
• "and from there to Patara" (Greek: κἀκεῖθεν εἰς Πάταρα - kakeithen eis Patara):
  • Word Level: "From there" (κἀκεῖθεν - kakeithen) directly links the progression. "Patara" (Πάταρα - Patara) was a prosperous seaport city in Lycia, on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor, facing Cyprus. It was known as a major port for larger ships making longer voyages.
  • Significance: Patara's role as a transit point for ships traveling to Phoenicia or Egypt implies they sought a larger vessel for their onward journey, indicating their strategy to make a continuous voyage. This further evidences the meticulous planning or providential guidance for their journey to Jerusalem.

Acts 21 1 Bonus section

The inclusion of "we" throughout this narrative, beginning as early as Acts 16, signifies Luke's direct involvement and personal testimony as a traveling companion of Paul. This first-person plural strengthens the credibility and immediacy of the account. The specific details of their stops—Cos, Rhodes, and Patara—reflect accurate knowledge of ancient maritime routes and trade winds. These were not random detours but typical and essential staging posts for ships sailing from the Aegean to the Syrian coast, often requiring a transfer to a larger vessel at Patara for the longer voyage across the open sea. This logistical precision in Luke's account suggests a detailed record-keeping and highlights Paul's purposeful and organized approach to his mission. The journey recounted here sets the physical stage for Paul’s fulfillment of earlier prophecies regarding his impending sufferings in Jerusalem, demonstrating his active obedience to what he believed was God's direct leading, even when fraught with danger and emotional strain.

Acts 21 1 Commentary

Acts 21:1 succinctly initiates a vital leg of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem, portraying a rapid transition from profound emotional departure to resolute progression. Luke, writing as an eyewitness, highlights the difficult "tearing away" from the beloved Ephesian elders, emphasizing the deeply felt human cost of ministry and mission. Yet, this painful separation does not deter Paul or his companions from their immediate, determined action to set sail. The mention of Cos, Rhodes, and Patara serves not merely as a travel log but emphasizes a strategic, direct, and swift maritime passage, likely facilitated by favorable winds and God's guiding hand. This leg of the journey reveals Paul's unwavering focus on his divinely appointed task to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, despite prior warnings of suffering and the recent tearful goodbyes. It foreshadows his resilience in the face of subsequent trials, illustrating that even deep personal bonds would not deflect him from his commitment to the Lord's will. The journey’s promptness signifies not haste, but unwavering conviction.