An Outline Of Acts 21

1 The journey by sea from Miletus to Ptolemais

Text, Acts 21:1-7, KJV: 1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. 3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. 6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. 7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

Thoughts:

--Paul and several others left Miletus by ship and made several stops (“ports of call”, to use a nautical term) as mentioned in verses 1-4.

--At Tyre, they found other disciples. Some of these may have been those who had fled Jerusalem after Stephen was martyred, settling in Tyre (“Phenice”, or Phoenicia, per Acts 11:19).

--These disciples of Tyre warned Paul, through the Holy Spirit, to not go to Jerusalem. Clearly, Paul did not heed their warning but decided to go to Jerusalem anyway.

--After spending a week, Paul and the others “departed, and went [their] way”. They stopped at the shore, knelt down, and they all prayed together. Paul and the others sailed on from Tyre to Ptolemais, but the other believers in Tyre returned to their homes.

--Paul and the others arrived at Ptolemais and spent one day after greeting the brethren.

2 The journey by land from Ptolemais to Jerusalem

Text, Acts 21:8-16, KJV: 8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. 10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. 15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. 16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Thoughts:

--Ptolemais was on the shore between Tyre and Mount Carmel. Ptolemais was almost due west from Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin (https://bibleatlas.org/full/ptolemais.htm).

--Luke says that “we . . . of Paul’s company” left Ptolemais and traveled to Caesarea. Luke does not say if they went by foot or by ship but my guess is by ship.

--At Caesarea, Paul and the others met Philip the evangelist. He was one “of the seven”, meaning he was one of the first seven who are generally called deacons, though there is no record he ever had or used that title. Acts 8 has a summary of what he did and where he ministered.

--Philip had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied. This took place before the “canon” of Scripture was complete and the gift of prophecy seems to have gone away. We are not told where these four women prophesied and we have none of their prophecies. Remember that God only gives a word or revelation when it’s needed or when He deems it necessary.

--Luke says they stayed there “many days”. During that time, the prophet Agabus came to Philp’s house and prophesied. His message has one of the few direct quotes by the Holy Spirit. Of note is that this is the second and last recorded prophecy by Agabus. He had also predicted a great famine during the reign of Emperor Claudius (Acts 11:28), which “came to pass.” Otherwise, Agabus would have been a false prophet and wouldn’t need anyone to listen to him.