Acts 21 3

Acts 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.

Acts 21:3 nkjv

When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo.

Acts 21:3 niv

After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo.

Acts 21:3 esv

When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.

Acts 21:3 nlt

We sighted the island of Cyprus, passed it on our left, and landed at the harbor of Tyre, in Syria, where the ship was to unload its cargo.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 3 Meaning

Acts 21:3 describes a specific segment of Paul's third missionary journey as he and his companions sail towards Jerusalem. Having spotted the island of Cyprus, they passed it on their north side, continuing their voyage east-southeast into Syrian waters, ultimately landing at the port city of Tyre. Their stop at Tyre was a logistical necessity, as the ship they were on was a commercial vessel scheduled to unload its cargo there. This verse highlights the practicalities of travel in the ancient world and the strategic navigation taken for specific destinations.

Acts 21 3 Context

Acts 21 records the culmination of Paul's third missionary journey, specifically his determined travel to Jerusalem, despite repeated warnings from believers and prophecies about the dangers awaiting him there. Having collected the offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem from Gentile churches, Paul is resolute in completing this task. Verses 1 and 2 detail their previous stops from Patara to Rhodes, then to Patara again, and finding a ship sailing to Phoenicia. Verse 3 picks up from this point, describing their actual sea route from the vicinity of Patara or nearby, directly towards the Syrian coast. The narrative highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to his divine call, even when it leads him into foreseeable hardship in Jerusalem, a theme woven throughout this chapter and into subsequent ones detailing his arrest and trials. The geographical details are precise, reflecting Luke's careful historical record.

Acts 21 3 Word analysis

• And when we had discovered: (Greek: anaphainomai, ἀναφαίνομαι - to appear, be revealed, come into view). This phrase indicates that land came into sight. For sailors of the time, this was a significant navigational point, signaling progress and providing a reference point after sailing the open sea. The "we" pronoun includes Luke, the author of Acts, indicating he was present on this leg of the journey with Paul.
• Cyprus: (Greek: Kypros, Κύπρος). An island in the eastern Mediterranean. It holds historical significance in early Christian evangelism, being the homeland of Barnabas (Acts 4:36) and the first significant stopping point for Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:4-12), where they confronted a sorcerer and saw Sergius Paulus converted. At this point in Acts 21, it is merely a landmark they pass, a reminder of past missionary endeavors and a geographical reference point on a new mission leg.
• leaving it on the left hand: (Greek: euōnymon, εὐώνυμον - on the left, left-hand; and parerchomenoi, παρερχόμενοι - passing by, going past). This is a precise navigational detail. When sailing east/southeast towards the Syrian coast, passing Cyprus on the "left hand" means the ship kept Cyprus to its north. This implies they were taking a more direct route across the open sea, rather than hugging the northern coast of Cyprus, which would have made the island appear on their right. It demonstrates a skilled crew and knowledge of the desired destination.
• we sailed into Syria: (Greek: eis Syrian, εἰς Συρίαν - into Syria; katepleusamen, κατεπλεύσαμεν - we sailed down, put in at shore). Syria was a large Roman province. This indicates their general heading and destination. Antioch, Paul's sending church, was in Syria, though they did not stop there immediately. This sets the regional context for their landfall.
• and landed at Tyre: (Greek: katēltomen, κατήλθομεν - we came down, arrived; eis Tyron, εἰς Τύρον - into Tyre). Tyre was an ancient and famous Phoenician port city on the Mediterranean coast (modern-day Lebanon). It has a long and storied biblical history, prominent in Old Testament prophecies of judgment and future restoration (e.g., Isa 23, Ezek 26-28). In the New Testament, people from Tyre came to hear Jesus (Mk 3:8, Lk 6:17), and Jesus briefly visited its region (Mk 7:24). This specific landing spot highlights its importance as a significant maritime hub, crucial for commerce and thus for the available shipping routes.
• for there the ship was to unlade her burden: (Greek: apophortizomai, ἀποφορτίζομαι - to unload cargo; phortos, φόρτος - burden, load, cargo). This phrase clarifies the primary reason for stopping in Tyre: it was a commercial stop, a port of call for the cargo ship they were traveling on. Paul and his companions were passengers on a merchant vessel. This practical detail shows how Paul's missionary travels often intertwined with the secular commerce and travel routes of his day, depending on the ordinary means of transport available. "Burden" specifically refers to commercial goods or cargo, not something negative.

Acts 21 3 Bonus section

The precise navigational detail "leaving it on the left hand" suggests Paul and Luke were traveling from a point west or southwest of Cyprus. Given earlier movements in Acts 20, they likely embarked from a port in the Aegean region (e.g., Patara, Rhodes). To reach Syria (east) while keeping Cyprus (north) to their left, they would have sailed south of Cyprus. This was a common and often quicker route for ships heading eastward in the summer months, taking advantage of the Etesian winds that blow from the northwest. Traveling on a "burden" (cargo) ship also meant their journey was subject to the ship owner's schedule and destinations, not Paul's personal missionary preferences. This reliance meant flexibility was often needed on the part of the apostles, demonstrating their adaptability to prevailing conditions for the sake of the Gospel.

Acts 21 3 Commentary

Acts 21:3 provides a glimpse into the logistical realities of apostolic travel in the Roman world. It is a precise geographical and navigational detail, reflecting Luke's care as a historian and potentially as an eyewitness to this part of Paul's journey. The "we" highlights Luke's presence, lending authenticity and immediate perspective. The decision to bypass Cyprus, a significant island for Paul's early ministry, speaks to the single-mindedness of his current journey to Jerusalem. Their destination of Tyre was not chosen for immediate evangelistic outreach by Paul, but rather dictated by the ship's commercial itinerary. This shows that Paul, while driven by divine purpose, operated within practical limitations, relying on the secular shipping network for transport. The unloading of the "burden" simply means the ship's cargo, emphasizing its nature as a merchant vessel. This reliance on commercial travel routes underscores how the spread of the Gospel leveraged existing societal structures and infrastructure. It reveals that God's Providence often guides and enables His servants through very ordinary, pragmatic means.