MPV Commentary

Sailing from Ephesus, They Land at Tyre, and Thence Sailing

1. We were torn away from them with difficulty, expressing the pain of parting.

With a straight course we sailed to Cos, an island south of Miletus, which we would reach in about six hours, and then came close to the mainland.

The next day we sailed to Rhodes, another island southeast of Cos, known for its classic beauty.

From there we sailed to Patara, a town on the Lycian mainland almost due east from Rhodes. It was the seat of a famous oracle of Apollo.

2. Finding that our previous ship would not go any farther, we boarded another vessel bound for Phoenicia.

3. When we spotted Cyprus, we steered southeast of it and sailed into Syria, landing at Tyre, a major center of maritime commerce between East and West. We arrived there after about two days from Patara.

The ship was to unload its cargo, giving us time for what follows.

4-6. After inquiring about the disciples in Tyre, we found some who said to Paul that he should not go up to Jerusalem (see Acts 20:23 and 21:11-14).

5. They all accompanied us on our way with their wives and children, and we knelt down on the shore and prayed (see Acts 20:36). It's worth noting that the children of these Tyrian disciples joined in this act of worship.

7. After completing our journey from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, an ancient city now known as Acre, where we greeted the brethren and stayed for a time.

8-10. The next day those who were with Paul departed and traveled to Cæsarea, about thirty miles south along the coast.

There they met Philip the evangelist (see Acts 8:4-40), one of the seven deacons who had been appointed in Jerusalem. He was a devoted servant of the Lord Jesus, and his family was known for its prophetic gifts (see Joel 2:28).

They stayed there for many days, enjoying Christian fellowship before continuing on to Jerusalem.

11-14. A prophet named Agabus came down from Judea, bearing a girdle that he claimed would be used to bind Paul in Jerusalem (see Acts 21:33 and 28:17). This was not meant to prohibit Paul from going but rather to test his courage and deepen his resolve.

We and the Cæsarean Christians begged him not to go, even with tears (see Acts 21:13).

12. Then Paul replied, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

15-16. We packed up our belongings and traveled to Jerusalem, where Paul would face his fifth visit since his conversion (Acts 9:26-31). This concluded his third missionary tour, which proved to be his last as recorded.

In Jerusalem, we were accompanied by a man named Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple who had been drawn to the Saviour during His lifetime. He brought us to Jerusalem and welcomed us warmly.