Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 21:7

"And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day." — Acts 21:7 (ASV)

We came to Ptolemais. This was a city situated on the coast of the Mediterranean, on the north angle of a bay which extends, in a semicircle of three leagues, as far as the point of Mount Carmel. At the south and west sides, the city was washed by the sea; and was surrounded by triple walls.

It was in the tribe of Asher (Judges 1:31), and was originally called Acerio; but it was later called Ptolemais in honor of one of the Ptolemies, who beautified and adorned it. The Christian crusaders gave it the name of Acre, or St. John of Acre, from a magnificent church which was built in it and dedicated to the apostle John.

It is still called Akka by the Turks. The Syriac and Arabic render it Accho in this passage. It sustained several sieges during the crusades and was the last fortified place wrested from the Christians by the Turks. It also sustained a memorable siege by Bonaparte, and since then, it has been much increased and strengthened. It surrendered to the British fleet under Admiral Stopford on November 3, 1840, after a few hours' resistance. Its present population is estimated at 18,000 to 20,000.

And saluted the brethren. They embraced them and gave them expressions of affection and regard.