Acts 21:3-6

IN THE SIGHT OF CYPRUS ON THE LEFT. Acts 21:3 a.

Acts 21:3 a

And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand,

Acts 21:3 a The writer has found words of Conybeare and Howson so expressive on this point that we reproduce them here:

The distance between these two points is three hundred and forty geographical miles; (between Patara and Tyre) and if we bear in mind that the northwesterly winds in April often blow like monsoons in the Levant, and that the rig of ancient sailing vessels was peculiarly favorable to a quick run before the wind, we come at once to the conclusion that the voyage might easily be accomplished in forty-eight hours. Everything in Luke's account gives a strong impression that the weather was in the highest degree favorable; and there is one picturesque phrase employed by the narrator which sets vividly before us some of the phenomena of a rapid voyage. That which is said in the English version concerning the discovering of Cyprus and leaving it on the left hand is the original for a nautical expression implying that the land appeared to rise quickly as they sailed past it to the southward. It would be in the course of the second day (probably in the evening that the high blue eastern land appeared. The highest mountain of Cyprus is a rounded summit, and there would be snow upon it at that season of the year. After the second night the first land in sight would be the high range of Lebanon in Syria (Acts 21:3), and they would easily arrive at Tyre before the evening. (Life and Epistles of the Apostle Paul, pages 532-533).

816.

How did providence intervene at Patara?

817.

How could the 340 miles between Patara and Tyre be covered in only 48 hours?

818.

What picturesque phrase sets forth the nautical note in this trip from Patara to Tyre?

18.

AT TYRE. Acts 21:3 b - Acts 21:6.

Acts 21:3 b

we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

Acts 21:4

And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.

Acts 21:5

And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;

Acts 21:6

and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.

Acts 21:3 b - Acts 21:4 While the ship was tarrying here, unloading her cargo Paul found the followers of the Way in the town and met with them for seven days; this must have included a Lord's Day. He probably carried on a one week revival here as he had in the same length of time at Troas.

There were prophets among the saints in Tyre, and these through the revelation of the Holy Spirit besought Paul not to go to Jerusalem. No word is given by Luke of Paul's response to this divine suggestion, but Paul's actions speak louder than his unrecorded words. When the days of the ship's stop were fulfilled they pressed on, even as Someone Else, steadfastly toward Jerusalem.

819.

How long a stop at Tyre and what did Paul do?

820.

What warning was given at Tyre? Paul's response?

Acts 21:5-6 But not without the tenderest of partings, the disciples of Tyre followed the servants of God out of the city, down to the beach. It would seem that following the final gathering with Paul and the brethren that the whole congregation, women, children, and men all walked with the preachers down to see them off.

What a touching scene of farewell ensued. What words of trust and love were exchanged. And then I can read into the closing words of Luke a certain loneliness that he must have felt. but they returned home again.

821.

How can we see a touch of loneliness in the words but they returned home again?