A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 21

Were parted from them (αποσπασθεντας απ' αυτων). First aorist passive participle of αποσπαω same verb as in 20:30; Luke 22:41.

Had set sail (αναχθηνα). First aorist passive of αναγω, the usual verb to put out (up) to sea as in verse 2 (ανηχθημεν).

We came with a straight course (ευθυδρομησαντες ηλθομεν). The same verb (aorist active participle of ευθυδρομεω) used by Luke in 16:11 of the voyage from Troas to Samothrace and Neapolis, which see.

Unto Cos (εις την Κο). Standing today, about forty nautical miles south from Miletus, island famous as the birthplace of Hippocrates and Apelles with a great medical school. Great trading place with many Jews.

The next day (τη εξης). Locative case with ημερα (day) understood. The adverb εξης is from εχω (future εξω) and means successively or in order. This is another one of Luke's ways of saying "on the next day" (cf. three others in 20:15).

Unto Rhodes (εις την Ροδον). Called the island of roses. The sun shone most days and made roses luxuriant. The great colossus which represented the sun, one of the seven wonders of the world, was prostrate at this time. The island was at the entrance to the Aegean Sea and had a great university, especially for rhetoric and oratory. There was great commerce also.

Unto Patara (εις Παταρα). A seaport on the Lycian coast on the left bank of the Xanthus. It once had an oracle of Apollo which rivalled that at Delphi. This was the course taken by hundreds of ships every season.

Having found a ship (ευροντες πλοιον). Paul had used a small coasting vessel (probably hired) that anchored each night at Cos, Rhodes, Patara. He was still some four hundred miles from Jerusalem. But at Patara Paul caught a large vessel (a merchantman) that could sail across the open sea.

Crossing over unto Phoenicia (διαπερων εις Φοινικην). Neuter singular accusative (agreeing with πλοιον) present active participle of διαπεραω, old verb to go between (δια) and so across to Tyre.

We went aboard (επιβαντες). Second aorist active participle of επιβαινω.

When we had come in sight of Cyprus (αναφαναντες την Κυπρον). First aorist active participle of αναφαινω (Doric form -φαναντες rather than the Attic -φηναντες), old verb to make appear, bring to light, to manifest. Having made Cyprus visible or rise up out of the sea. Nautical terms. In the N.T. only here and Lu 19:11 which see.

On the left hand (ευωνυμον). Compound feminine adjective like masculine. They sailed south of Cyprus.

We sailed (επλεομεν). Imperfect active of common verb πλεω, kept on sailing till we came to Syria.

Landed at Tyre (κατηλθομεν εις Τυρον). Came down to Tyre. Then a free city of Syria in honour of its former greatness (cf. the long siege by Alexander the Great).

There (εκεισε). Thither, literally. Only one other instance in N.T., 22:5 which may be pertinent = εκε (there).

Was to unlade (ην αποφορτιζομενον). Periphrastic imperfect middle of αποφορτιζω, late verb from απο and φορτος, load, but here only in the N.T. Literally, "For thither the boat was unloading her cargo," a sort of "customary" or "progressive" imperfect (Robertson, Grammar, p. 884).

Burden (γομον). Cargo, old word, from γεμω, to be full. Only here and Re 18:11f. in N.T. Probably a grain or fruit ship. It took seven days here to unload and reload.

Having found (ανευροντες). Second aorist active participle of ανευρισκω, to seek for, to find by searching (ανα). There was a church here, but it was a large city and the number of members may not have been large. Probably some of those that fled from Jerusalem who came to Phoenicia (Acts 11:19) started the work here. Paul went also through Phoenicia on the way to the Jerusalem Conference (15:3). As at Troas and Miletus, so here Paul's indefatigible energy shows itself with characteristic zeal.

Through the Spirit (δια του πνευματος). The Holy Spirit undoubtedly who had already told Paul that bonds and afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem (20:23).

That he should not set foot in Jerusalem (μη επιβαινειν εις Ιεροσολυμα). Indirect command with μη and the present active infinitive, not to keep on going to Jerusalem (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046). In spite of this warning Paul felt it his duty as before (20:22) to go on. Evidently Paul interpreted the action of the Holy Spirit as information and warning although the disciples at Tyre gave it the form of a prohibition. Duty called louder than warning to Paul even if both were the calls of God.

That we had accomplished the days (εξαρτισα ημας τας ημερας). First aorist active infinitive of εξαρτιζω, to furnish perfectly, rare in ancient writers, but fairly frequent in the papyri. Only twice in the N.T., here and 2 Timothy 3:17. Finish the exact number of days (seven) of verse 4. The accusative of general reference ημας is the usual construction and the infinitive clause is the subject of εγενετο. We departed and went on our journey (εξελθοντες επορευομεθα). Sharp distinction between the first aorist active participle εξελθοντες (from εξερχομα, to go out) and the imperfect middle επορευομεθα from πορευω (we were going on).

And they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way (προπεμποντων ημας παντων συν γυναιξ κα τεκνοις). No "and" in the Greek, simply genitive absolute, "They all with wives and children accompanying us," just as at Miletus (20:28), same verb προπεμπω which see. The first mention of children in connection with the apostolic churches (Vincent). Vivid picture here as at Miletus, evident touch of an eyewitness.

Till we were out of the city (εως εξω της πολεως). Note both adverbial prepositions (εως εξω) clear outside of the city.