Acts 21:3 - When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
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What does "Acts 21:3" mean?
This verse, Acts 21:3, describes a specific point in Paul's journey to Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"When we had come in sight of Cyprus...": This indicates that Paul and his companions were sailing westward across the Mediterranean Sea. Cyprus is a large island in the eastern Mediterranean.
"...leaving it on the left hand...": This is crucial for understanding their direction. As they sailed westward, Cyprus was to the south of them. This detail confirms they were on a fairly direct route to the Levantine coast (modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and Israel).
"...we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre...": Tyre was a major port city in ancient Phoenicia (now Lebanon). The verse makes it clear that their destination was Syria, and Tyre was a convenient and important port to stop at along the way.
"...for there the ship was to unload her cargo.": This is the key reason for stopping at Tyre. The ship they were traveling on was a merchant vessel carrying goods, and Tyre was a designated stop for unloading some of those goods. Paul and his companions were passengers on this merchant ship.
In essence, the verse is saying:
"As our ship sailed west, keeping the island of Cyprus to our south, we continued on to the region of Syria and made landfall at the city of Tyre, because the ship needed to drop off some of its cargo there."
Significance in the context of Acts:
Details of Paul's journey: Luke, the author of Acts, is meticulous in recording the details of Paul's travels. This verse adds to the overall narrative and provides geographical context.
Paul's mission: Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, despite warnings of potential danger. Stopping at Tyre and interacting with the believers there was part of his overall ministry and purpose. The unloading of the cargo highlights the everyday realities of travel and commerce during that time, woven into the story of Paul's mission.
In short, Acts 21:3 provides a snapshot of Paul's voyage, highlighting his route, destination, and the commercial nature of sea travel in the first century. It also sets the stage for the events that unfold in Tyre, where Paul meets with local Christians and receives further warnings about the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem.
Acts 21:3 - When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
What does "Acts 21:3" mean?
This verse, Acts 21:3, describes a specific point in Paul's journey to Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"When we had come in sight of Cyprus...": This indicates that Paul and his companions were sailing westward across the Mediterranean Sea. Cyprus is a large island in the eastern Mediterranean.
"...leaving it on the left hand...": This is crucial for understanding their direction. As they sailed westward, Cyprus was to the south of them. This detail confirms they were on a fairly direct route to the Levantine coast (modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and Israel).
"...we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre...": Tyre was a major port city in ancient Phoenicia (now Lebanon). The verse makes it clear that their destination was Syria, and Tyre was a convenient and important port to stop at along the way.
"...for there the ship was to unload her cargo.": This is the key reason for stopping at Tyre. The ship they were traveling on was a merchant vessel carrying goods, and Tyre was a designated stop for unloading some of those goods. Paul and his companions were passengers on this merchant ship.
In essence, the verse is saying:
"As our ship sailed west, keeping the island of Cyprus to our south, we continued on to the region of Syria and made landfall at the city of Tyre, because the ship needed to drop off some of its cargo there."
Significance in the context of Acts:
Details of Paul's journey: Luke, the author of Acts, is meticulous in recording the details of Paul's travels. This verse adds to the overall narrative and provides geographical context.
Paul's mission: Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, despite warnings of potential danger. Stopping at Tyre and interacting with the believers there was part of his overall ministry and purpose. The unloading of the cargo highlights the everyday realities of travel and commerce during that time, woven into the story of Paul's mission.
In short, Acts 21:3 provides a snapshot of Paul's voyage, highlighting his route, destination, and the commercial nature of sea travel in the first century. It also sets the stage for the events that unfold in Tyre, where Paul meets with local Christians and receives further warnings about the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem.