Acts 21:6

And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

Acts 21:6 (KJV)

Context

This verse records the departure of the apostle Paul and his companions from Tyre. In the preceding chapters, Paul had traveled through many cities, sharing the gospel and encouraging believers. He had stopped in Miletus, where he gave an emotional farewell to the elders of the Ephesian church (Acts 20:17-38). Continuing his journey, he arrived in Tyre, where disciples there, moved by the Holy Spirit, warned him that a dangerous journey to Jerusalem would bring imprisonment and afflictions (Acts 21:3-4). They urged him to change his plans, but Paul, aware of the risks, resolved to obey God’s call.

Meaning

After bidding farewell to one another, Paul and his companions boarded a ship, while the believers who had accompanied them “returned home again.” The “home” mentioned refers to the place where the Tyre disciples were staying, not a distant destination. The Greek text indicates that they returned to their own houses or habitations, not that they left their families, since their families were present with them. This detail highlights two key aspects of the early Christian community.

First, it shows the deep concern and care that fellow believers had for Paul’s well-being. The Tyre disciples, aware of the dangers awaiting Paul in Jerusalem, genuinely worried for his safety, demonstrating the tight-knit fellowship and mutual support that characterized the early church. The preceding verse (Acts 21:5) shows the entire church, including wives and children, accompanying Paul out of the city to the beach, where they knelt and prayed together. This indicates a deep, affectionate bond between Paul and the believers.

Second, Paul’s decision to press on toward Jerusalem despite the warnings reveals his unwavering commitment to the mission God had given him. His love for Christ and passion for spreading the gospel compelled him to endure hardship and potential persecution. The believers, though they urged Paul not to go, ultimately submitted and supported him through prayer.

Biblical connections

This farewell echoes the emotional parting at Miletus, where Paul knelt and prayed with the Ephesian elders before they wept and embraced him (Acts 20:36-38). Both scenes emphasize the reality of Christian fellowship and the cost of obedience: Paul’s journey was marked by painful separations, yet he continued in obedience to God’s will.

Application

Acts 21:6 reminds us of the importance of perseverance and obedience in our own walk of faith. It encourages believers to seek God’s will, trust His guidance even when the path ahead seems difficult, and value the supportive relationships within the body of Christ. The verse calls us to pray for one another, offer counsel and encouragement, and remain steadfast in the mission God has placed before us, just as Paul did.

Reflection

Consider how you can support fellow believers who are following God’s call, even when that path involves hardship. Like the Tyre disciples, we can accompany one another in prayer and encouragement, and like Paul, we can resolve to obey God’s call despite the risks.