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.
And {G1161} when {G3753} we {G2248} had {G1096} accomplished {G1822} those days {G2250}, we departed {G1831} and went our way {G4198}; and they all {G3956} brought {G4311} us {G2248} on our way {G4311}, with {G4862} wives {G1135} and {G2532} children {G5043}, till {G2193} we were out of {G1854} the city {G4172}: and {G2532} we kneeled down {G5087}{G1119} on {G1909} the shore {G123}, and prayed {G4336}.
but when the week was over, we left to continue our journey. All of them, with their wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the town. Kneeling on the beach and praying,
But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
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;
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Acts 20:36
¶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. -
Acts 9:40
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. -
Acts 20:38
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship. -
Psalms 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. -
Acts 15:3
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. -
Deuteronomy 29:11
Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that [is] in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water: -
Deuteronomy 29:12
That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:
Acts 21:5 captures a tender and significant moment in the Apostle Paul's third missionary journey as he departs from Tyre. After spending seven days with disciples who had warned him about dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem (Acts 21:4), this verse describes the heartfelt farewell and a powerful act of communal prayer.
Context
This verse is part of the narrative detailing Paul's journey back to Jerusalem at the conclusion of his third missionary tour. He is making his way to Jerusalem, despite repeated prophetic warnings from various disciples along the way that imprisonment and suffering await him there. In Tyre, he had been urged by the Spirit-led disciples not to proceed to Jerusalem. Despite these solemn warnings, Paul's resolute determination to fulfill his mission is evident. The scene described here highlights the strong bond of fellowship Paul shared with the believers in Tyre, who accompanied him to the very edge of the city before his departure.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "kneeled down" (Greek: gonatizō) suggests a posture of humility, reverence, and earnest supplication. It was a common posture for intense and sincere prayer in the ancient world, signifying deep submission to God's will. The collective nature of "and they all... prayed" emphasizes that this was not just Paul's prayer, but a unified appeal by the entire group, highlighting the communal aspect of their faith.
Practical Application
Acts 21:5 offers several timeless lessons for believers today: