- Acts 21:1-5
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- Acts 21:1 (KJB)
- 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:
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- Once they had launched from Miletus, they went to the small Island of
Coos, which is called Cos or Kos today. It is a very mountainous island and
it is 21 miles (34 km) long and 6 miles (10 km) wide. The Romans made it a
free state even thought it was still part of the province of Asia and is in
the South Aegean Sea. The following day they sailed to Rhodes. The city was
the Capital of a large island also called Rhodes and was 20 miles (32 km)
wide. The city was a commercial center because many sea routes had crossed
there. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world stood in its harbor,
the statue of Colossus which was said to be 105 feet (32 meters) high and
doubled as a lighthouse. From Rhodes they sailed unto Patara which was on
the southwest coast of Lycia, facing the Mediterranean Sea.
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- Acts 21:2 (KJB)
- And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set
forth.
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- At Patara they disembarked and found a ship which was bound for
Phoenicia. This trip would have been approximately 500 miles (804 km).
Phoenicia contained the cities of Tyre and Sidon and was north of Israel and
would only have been a few days journey to Jerusalem from there.
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- Acts 21:3 (KJB)
- 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.
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- As they were sailing, they had the island of Cyprus on their left which
would have been a maritime marker for ships. They had passed it and
continued sailing directly to Syria, which also included the province of
Phoenicia. They finally had landed at Tyre which was a major seaport at that
time. Alexander the Great had conquered the island city and built a
causeway, thus turning it into a peninsula city. It was at Tyre where the
ship was unloaded.
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- Acts 21:4 (KJB)
- And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul
through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
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- This was the first time that Paul had visited Tyre but he had known
there were some believers there. There may have been some who were scattered
because of the persecution of Stephen. Paul managed to find the Christians,
and stayed with them for seven days. The Holy Spirit was active through
these believers and they had told him what the Holy Spirit has been telling
him that persecution awaits him in Jerusalem. The Christians in Tyre, that
he was staying with, did not want him to go to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit
did not direct these Christians to tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem because
it was their love for him that caused them to warn him to stay away from
Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself as Paul already knew
that he must go to Jerusalem.
(Acts 20:22 KJV) And now, behold, I
go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall
befall me there:
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- Acts 21:5 (KJB)
- 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.
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- Paul no doubt had a good time of ministry and fellowship with the
Christians in Tyre. As in other places, Paul gave them instructions and
encouragement. Within the seven days that he was there, they had learned to
love him and appreciate all that he taught them. Then when the time came for
departing, he was not only escorted by the men but also their entire
families had gone to see Paul off. Before Paul went to the ship, they had
all gathered on the sea shore and had a great time of prayer.
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