Acts 21 8

Acts 21:8 kjv

And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

Acts 21:8 nkjv

On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

Acts 21:8 niv

Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.

Acts 21:8 esv

On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

Acts 21:8 nlt

The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food.

Acts 21 verses

Acts 21 8 Meaning

Acts 21:8 describes a specific stop in Paul's journey towards Jerusalem. After departing from Ptolemais, Paul and his companions (including Luke) traveled to Caesarea. There, they found lodging and stayed with Philip, who is identified by his established spiritual gift and ministry as "the evangelist" and by his foundational role as one of the original "seven" deacons appointed in the early Jerusalem church. This brief pause in their travels allowed for fellowship and provision within the wider Christian community.

Acts 21 8 Context

This verse is situated in Acts chapter 21, detailing the final leg of Paul's third missionary journey, as he steadfastly makes his way towards Jerusalem. Despite multiple warnings from the Holy Spirit and various believers along the way about the dangers awaiting him (Acts 20:22-23; 21:4), Paul remains determined to complete his mission. Having just left Ptolemais, the journey continues by sea, making a direct path along the coast. Caesarea Maritima, a major Roman port city and the administrative capital of Judea, serves as a crucial stopover. The immediate context shows Paul's journey moving ever closer to Jerusalem and the fulfillment of the prophecies regarding his arrest and suffering there. Historically, Caesarea was a melting pot of Roman and Jewish culture, strategically important, and would later play a significant role in Paul's own legal defense and imprisonment (Acts 23-26). Philip, living in Caesarea, represents a settled presence of the vibrant early Christian community, providing a vital network of support for itinerant ministers like Paul.

Acts 21 8 Word analysis

• And the next day (τῇ δὲ ἐπαύριον - tē de epaurion)

  • "And" (δὲ - de): A conjunctive particle, often translated as "but," "however," or "and," indicating a sequential or continuative action. It smoothly transitions from the previous day's arrival in Ptolemais.
  • "the next day": Specifies the immediate progression of Paul's journey. There is no lingering, maintaining the narrative's sense of purposeful movement toward Jerusalem.

• we departed (ἐξέλθοντες - exelthontes)

  • "we": Denotes the presence of the author, Luke, along with Paul and other companions. This is part of the "we passages" in Acts, confirming Luke as an eyewitness and participant.
  • "departed" (ἐξέλθοντες): A participle meaning "having gone out" or "departing." It describes the act of leaving the previous location (Ptolemais, Acts 21:7) to continue their journey.

• and came to Caesarea (ἤλθομεν εἰς Καισάρειαν - ēlthomen eis Kaisareian)

  • "came" (ἤλθομεν): First person plural aorist indicative, signifying "we came" or "we arrived."
  • "Caesarea": Refers to Caesarea Maritima, the Roman provincial capital of Judea. Its significance includes being a major port city built by Herod the Great, a center of Roman administration, and a place already established in the book of Acts (e.g., Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10). It foreshadows Paul's future imprisonment there.

• and entering the house (εἰσελθόντες εἰς τὸν οἶκον - eiselthontes eis ton oikon)

  • "entering" (εἰσελθόντες): A participle meaning "having entered," indicating the action of coming inside for lodging.
  • "the house": Signifies private lodging within a home, highlighting the hospitality provided by believers in the early church. It suggests personal fellowship and rest, rather than impersonal inn lodging.

• of Philip the evangelist (Φιλίππου τοῦ εὐαγγελιστοῦ - Philippou tou euangelistou)

  • "Philip": A common Greek name, this Philip is identified specifically. He is distinguished from Philip the Apostle (Matt 10:3; Acts 1:13).
  • "the evangelist" (τοῦ εὐαγγελιστοῦ - tou euangelistou): An occupational title denoting his specific ministry gift. The word means "proclaimer of good news" or "one who brings good tidings." It is a divinely gifted role, distinct from an apostle or prophet, primarily focused on communicating the Gospel (Eph 4:11; 2 Tim 4:5). This title indicates how he was widely recognized within the early church at this point in his ministry, a development from his earlier role.

• who was one of the seven (ὄντος ἐκ τῶν ἑπτά - ontos ek tōn heptá)

  • "who was" (ὄντος - ontos): A present participle, indicating a state of being or continued existence of this past identity.
  • "one of the seven": A direct reference back to Acts 6:1-6, where Philip was chosen along with Stephen and others to serve the Hellenist widows in Jerusalem. This identifies Philip precisely and grounds his authority and connection to the early Jerusalem church leadership. It also illustrates how a servant designated for administrative tasks could develop into a powerful evangelistic minister.

• we stayed with him (ἐμείναμεν παρ’ αὐτῷ - emeinamen par' autō)

  • "we stayed" (ἐμείναμεν): First person plural aorist indicative, "we remained" or "we lodged." Indicates a duration of stay, not just a passing visit. It suggests comfort, rest, and perhaps the sharing of news and ministry accounts.
  • "with him" (παρ’ αὐτῷ - par' autō): Emphasizes personal interaction and fellowship in Philip's home. This act of hospitality was crucial for itinerant missionaries in the ancient world.

Acts 21 8 Bonus section

• Philip's Prophesying Daughters: The very next verse (Acts 21:9) immediately informs us that Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. This provides crucial insight into Philip's household, showing it was a home deeply immersed in spiritual gifting and ministry. It highlights the active participation of women in the prophetic ministry of the early church.
• The "We" Narrator: Luke's consistent use of "we" passages, beginning from Acts 16:10, authenticates his firsthand account. This reinforces the historical reliability of these missionary journeys and events, as he was a direct participant.
• Preparation for Imprisonment: Unbeknownst to Paul and his companions at this exact moment, Caesarea would become the scene of Paul's extended imprisonment later in Acts (chapters 23-26). His stay with Philip the evangelist in a settled home contrasts starkly with his subsequent enforced stay in a Roman prison in the same city.
• Role of Evangelists: Philip serves as a key example of how a leader initially appointed for administrative duties can transition into and be powerfully used in evangelistic ministry, showing flexibility and growth in spiritual gifts within the church. He perfectly illustrates the distinction and importance of the evangelist gift within the New Testament's description of ministry offices.

Acts 21 8 Commentary

Acts 21:8 marks a significant, yet deceptively simple, pause in Paul's journey. It highlights the strategic importance of Caesarea not just as a Roman administrative hub, but as a center of vibrant Christian fellowship. Paul, persistent in his calling towards Jerusalem despite forewarnings, finds immediate and vital hospitality with Philip the Evangelist. The identification of Philip by both his recognized gift ("the evangelist") and his foundational role in the early church ("one of the seven") underscores the continuity and deep interconnectedness of the Christian community. This wasn't merely a casual lodging; it represents the solidarity of believers, where ministers like Paul could find refuge and support among those established in ministry. Furthermore, Philip's presence in Caesarea—the place where the gospel first extensively broke out to Gentiles through Peter and Cornelius—shows how the "seven," initially appointed for domestic service, grew into potent ministers extending the gospel's reach, reflecting the dynamic expansion of God's work.