Acts 21 2

Acts 21:2 kjv

And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

Acts 21:2 nkjv

And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.

Acts 21:2 niv

We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail.

Acts 21:2 esv

And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.

Acts 21:2 nlt

There we boarded a ship sailing for Phoenicia.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 2 Meaning

Acts 21:2 details a practical stage of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem: after arriving in Patara from Rhodes, he and his companions located a ship bound for the region of Phoenicia. They immediately boarded the vessel and commenced the next leg of their voyage, demonstrating the systematic and divinely guided progression of their missionary travel despite the human element of finding transport. This simple descriptive verse underscores the continuous movement and logistical arrangements necessary for spreading the Gospel across ancient lands.

Acts 21 2 Context

Acts 21:2 is situated within the "we sections" of the Book of Acts, signifying the direct participation of Luke, the author. It forms part of the detailed narrative of Paul's third missionary journey, specifically its concluding leg towards Jerusalem. In Acts 20, Paul had just given a poignant farewell to the Ephesian elders in Miletus, knowing that he faced trials in Jerusalem and might not see them again. Driven by the Holy Spirit's urging and his determination to deliver the collection for the poor in Jerusalem, Paul pressed on, despite various warnings of impending suffering (Acts 20:22-23, 21:4, 21:11-14).

The immediate context is Acts 21:1, where Paul and his companions set sail from Miletus, making stops at Cos, Rhodes, and Patara. Verse 2 describes their transfer to a new ship at Patara. Patara was a major port in Lycia, situated strategically on common maritime trade routes. Finding a direct ship from Patara to Phoenicia (the coast of modern-day Lebanon/Syria) was a typical arrangement for 1st-century Mediterranean sea travel. The journey described in these verses highlights the practical logistical steps involved in Paul's divinely purposed mission, emphasizing the necessity of human planning and God's guiding hand in travel arrangements during this era of widespread missionary work.

Acts 21 2 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunctive, continuing the narrative flow directly from the previous verse, linking this action as the next step in their travel.
• finding (εὑρόντες - heurontes): An aorist active participle, meaning "having found" or "upon finding." It denotes an active, deliberate discovery of something needed, suggesting Paul and his companions sought out a suitable vessel. This implies a level of divine provision in their ability to readily locate such a ship, rather than a coincidental occurrence.
• a ship (πλοῖον - ploion): A general term for a vessel or boat, typically one propelled by sails, suitable for sea voyages in the ancient Mediterranean. Luke’s use of specific maritime terms often reflects accuracy derived from observation or reliable reports.
• sailing for (διαπλέον - diapleon): A present active participle meaning "sailing through" or "sailing across to." It indicates the ship’s destination, confirming it was the correct vessel for their intended route along the Phoenician coast. This detail ensures they were not merely boarding any available ship but one with a destination aligned with their journey towards Jerusalem.
• Phoenicia (Φοινίκην - Phoinikēn): A historical region on the eastern Mediterranean coast, corresponding to parts of modern-day Lebanon and Syria. Major cities included Tyre and Sidon. It was a well-known maritime trading hub and a significant area for early Christian evangelism, having been a recipient of the Gospel from early scattered believers (Acts 11:19, 15:3). This region served as a natural progression along the coastal route towards their ultimate destination, Jerusalem.
• we went aboard it (ἐπιβάντες αὐτό - epibantes auto): An aorist active participle plus pronoun. "Epibantes" means "having embarked upon" or "stepped onto." This phrase emphasizes the immediate and decisive action of boarding the ship once it was found. The pronoun "auto" refers to the ship. The "we" is significant, affirming Luke’s presence and personal participation in this part of Paul's journey, which gives the narrative eyewitness authenticity.
• and set sail (ἀνήχθημεν - anēchthēmen): An aorist passive indicative (deponent verb), meaning "we were launched," or more simply "we set sail." This term is a standard nautical idiom for departing from a port or shore by ship, often implying the actions of the crew and the general act of commencement of the voyage.

Words-group analysis:

• "And finding a ship sailing for Phoenicia": This group highlights the providential aspect of their travel arrangements. Their mission required specific transport, and it was "found," implying either active searching resulting in a good fit or a timely availability, interpreted by many as divine orchestration. The specific destination of "Phoenicia" makes it clear this was a deliberate step in their planned itinerary towards Jerusalem.
• "we went aboard it and set sail": This group emphasizes the prompt and decisive action taken by Paul and his companions. There was no hesitation; once the means were identified, the journey immediately continued. The recurring "we" signifies the communal nature of this missionary endeavor and Luke's firsthand experience.

Acts 21 2 Bonus section

The repeated "we" sections in Acts (16:10-17, 20:5-15, 21:1-18, 27:1-28:16) provide a strong literary and historical testament to Luke's eyewitness presence and his careful documentation of Paul's activities. In this verse, the "we" firmly places Luke within the group of travelers boarding the ship to Phoenicia. This attention to detail adds significant credibility to the narrative, not only for this specific leg of the journey but for the broader events of the missionary expeditions. The ease of "finding" the appropriate ship at Patara, a busy transit hub, could be seen as a minor yet potent example of God's providence. While not miraculous, such practical arrangements often facilitate God’s greater purposes, ensuring that His messengers can continue their mission efficiently. Phoenicia itself was a testament to the early spread of the Gospel, showing how trade routes and human mobility were repurposed for the advance of Christianity.

Acts 21 2 Commentary

Acts 21:2 serves as a succinct navigational entry in Paul's journey log, reflecting Luke’s meticulous and detailed historical reporting. It's a pragmatic verse highlighting the ordinary yet essential logistics of ancient travel for extraordinary Gospel work. From Patara, a strategic port, Paul and his companions efficiently located a suitable vessel—one that was "sailing for Phoenicia"—which lay along the logical coastal route towards Judea. Their immediate "boarding" and "setting sail" convey a sense of urgency and determination to complete the mission, consistent with Paul’s steadfast resolve to reach Jerusalem despite forewarnings of suffering. This verse, though brief, exemplifies the intertwining of human effort in practical travel and divine provision in aligning the right circumstances, ensuring the Gospel's journey continued unimpeded along the well-traveled trade routes of the Roman world.