Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 21:15

"And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem." — Acts 21:15 (ASV)

After those days. After what had occurred, as related in the previous verses.

We took up our carriages. This is a most unfortunate translation.

The word carriage, as we use it today, refers exclusively to a vehicle for conveying things—such as a coach, chariot, gig, cannon-carriage, and so on. The original word means simply that they prepared themselves, made themselves ready, or put their baggage in order, and so on: aposkeuasamenoi. In essence, they prepared for the journey.

The English word carriage was formerly used in the sense of "that which is carried"—such as baggage, burdens, vessels, furniture, and so on. It was used this way at the time our translation was made.

In this sense, it is to be understood in 1 Samuel 17:22: And David left his carriage (baggage) in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, etc. See Acts 21:20 (margin). Similarly, in Isaiah 10:28: At Michmash he hath laid up his carriages, [his baggage, etc.].

Therefore, in this context, "carriages" signifies "baggage."