Acts 21:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when we had taken our leave {G782} one of another {G240}, we took {G1910}{G1519} ship {G4143}; and {G1161} they {G1565} returned {G5290}{G1519} home {G2398} again {G5290}.

Complete Jewish Bible

we said good-bye to each other. Then we boarded the ship, and they returned home.

Berean Standard Bible

And after we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 21:6 marks a poignant moment of departure following an emotional farewell between Paul and his companions and the devoted believers who had accompanied them to the ship. This verse signifies the final physical act of separation after a deeply moving time of fellowship and prophetic warnings, as Paul's group sets sail, and the local disciples return to their homes, underscoring both the strong bonds of Christian community and the relentless forward movement of the Gospel mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows one of the most tender and emotionally charged farewells in the New Testament, detailed in [Acts 20:17-38](/acts/20-17-38 "Acts 20:17-38 - Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders"). Paul had summoned the elders of the church in Ephesus to Miletus, where he delivered a powerful and prophetic discourse, knowing he was bound for Jerusalem and facing potential imprisonment and suffering, as indicated by the Holy Spirit (cf. [Acts 20:22-23](/acts/20-22-23 "Acts 20:22-23 - Paul's Resolve to Go to Jerusalem")). The parting was filled with tears, embraces, and sorrow, as the elders believed they would not see his face again (cf. [Acts 20:37-38](/acts/20-37-38 "Acts 20:37-38 - The Sorrowful Farewell")). Furthermore, prior to this, in Tyre, disciples had warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem "through the Spirit" ([Acts 21:4](/acts/21-4 "Acts 21:4 - Disciples Warn Paul")), and later, the prophet Agabus would dramatically reinforce these warnings ([Acts 21:10-14](/acts/21-10-14 "Acts 21:10-14 - Agabus's Prophecy")). Acts 21:6, therefore, is not a casual departure but the culmination of a deeply significant and sorrowful goodbye, signaling Paul's unwavering resolve to continue his divinely appointed, albeit perilous, journey.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Sea travel was a common and often perilous mode of transportation in the ancient Mediterranean world, essential for missionary journeys like Paul's. Port cities served as crucial hubs for commerce and communication, and it was customary for friends and well-wishers to accompany travelers to the ship, often sharing a final meal or prayer before departure. The act of "taking leave" (ἀσπάζομαι, *aspázomai*) would involve embraces and expressions of affection, reflecting the strong communal bonds prevalent in the early Christian church. Given the uncertainty of travel and the high mortality rates, such partings could indeed be permanent, imbuing them with profound emotional weight. The believers accompanying Paul to the ship, and then returning to their homes, illustrates the local commitment and rootedness of the Christian communities that Paul had established, even as he moved on to new frontiers.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and Paul's ministry. Firstly, it highlights the **profound fellowship and emotional bonds** within the early Christian community, demonstrating the deep love and respect shared between Paul and the believers, which made such partings so difficult. Secondly, it underscores **Paul's unwavering resolve and obedience to his divine calling**, despite the emotional toll of goodbyes and repeated warnings about the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem. His determination to fulfill his mission, even at personal risk, is a consistent motif throughout his journeys, as seen in his declaration that he considers his life "worth nothing" if he can complete his race ([Acts 20:24](/acts/20-24 "Acts 20:24 - Paul's Mission")). Finally, Acts 21:6 serves as a small but significant step in the **ongoing missionary journey** of the early church, illustrating the continuous nature of spreading the Good News. Even after a significant ministry period and a tearful farewell, the work of the Kingdom presses forward, requiring both steadfastness from the missionaries and continued faithfulness from the local communities left behind.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **taken our leave (Greek, _aspázomai'_):** This verb (G782) means "to enfold in the arms, i.e. (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome." In this context, it signifies a formal and affectionate farewell, an embrace or a final greeting. It is not a casual parting but one imbued with deep emotion and significance, reflecting the strong bonds of fellowship and the sorrow of separation.
* **took (Greek, _epibaínō'_):** This verb (G1910) means "to walk upon, i.e. mount, ascend, embark, arrive." When used with "ship" (ploîon, G4143), it specifically denotes the action of boarding or embarking on a vessel. It conveys the active step of beginning the next leg of the journey, a physical movement into the unknown.
* **returned (Greek, _hypostréphō'_):** This verb (G5290) means "to turn under (behind), i.e. to return (literally or figuratively)." It describes the action of the believers who had accompanied Paul to the ship, indicating their movement back to their homes and communities after the farewell. It highlights the separation of paths and the continuation of their respective ministries and lives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when we had taken our leave one of another":** This clause describes the culmination of the emotional farewell. The plural "we" includes Paul and his immediate traveling companions, while "one of another" emphasizes the mutual nature of the parting, highlighting the reciprocal expressions of love, sorrow, and blessing between the departing missionaries and the local believers. This was a deliberate and deeply felt separation.
* **"we took ship;":** This signifies the physical act of boarding the vessel. "We" again refers to Paul and his group, indicating their active step in continuing their journey. The phrase marks the decisive moment of departure, moving from the emotional shore to the practical means of travel, symbolizing the onward movement of the mission.
* **"and they returned home again.":** This final clause describes the action of the believers who had accompanied them. "They" refers to the local disciples and elders who had come to see Paul off. Their return "home again" emphasizes their rootedness in their own communities and ministries, completing the separation and underscoring that while Paul's journey continued, their work in their respective localities also persisted.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Juxtaposition** by contrasting the actions of Paul's group ("we took ship") with the actions of the local believers ("they returned home again"). This highlights the divergence of paths and the reality of separation inherent in missionary life. There is an element of **Pathos** conveyed through the simplicity of the description, which belies the deep emotional weight of the farewell that precedes it in the narrative. The verse functions as a **Narrative Transition**, marking the definitive end of one segment of the journey and the beginning of the next, propelling the story forward. Finally, the concise nature of the statement, particularly after the extended farewell in the previous chapter, could be seen as a form of **Understatement**, allowing the reader to infer the lingering emotional resonance without explicit elaboration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 21:6 powerfully illustrates the bittersweet reality of Christian fellowship and mission. It underscores that while the bonds of faith create deep, familial love among believers, the nature of God's redemptive plan often requires separation and difficult goodbyes for the sake of the Gospel's advance. Paul's unwavering commitment to his divinely appointed journey, even in the face of emotional pain and prophetic warnings, serves as a profound example of discipleship that prioritizes God's will above personal comfort or attachment. This verse reminds us that Christian life is a dynamic journey, marked by both profound communal connection and necessary transitions, all undergirded by a steadfast faith in God's leading. The temporary nature of these partings on earth points to a greater, eternal reunion in Christ.

* [2 Corinthians 13:11](/2_corinthians/13-11 "2 Corinthians 13:11 - Farewell and Peace")
* [Philippians 1:7-8](/philippians/1-7-8 "Philippians 1:7-8 - Paul's Affection for the Philippians")
* [Luke 9:23-24](/luke/9-23-24 "Luke 9:23-24 - Taking Up the Cross")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 21:6, though brief, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It calls us to cherish the deep, authentic relationships forged within the body of Christ, recognizing that these bonds are a precious gift. Yet, it also challenges us to embrace the reality that God's mission often involves transitions, goodbyes, and stepping into the unknown, much like Paul's journey. We are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of unwavering obedience to God's call, even when it leads us away from comfort or familiar relationships, trusting that His purposes are greater. The verse also reminds us that while some are called to go, others are called to stay and faithfully continue their work in their local contexts, each playing a vital role in the expansion of God's Kingdom. Our partings, whether temporary or long-term, are always held within the larger narrative of God's sovereign plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we cultivate and cherish the deep bonds of Christian community, even knowing that life often brings seasons of separation?**
* **What "goodbyes" or difficult transitions might God be calling you to embrace for the sake of His mission or your spiritual growth?**
* **In what ways does Paul's unwavering resolve, despite emotional farewells, inspire you to maintain steadfast commitment to God's will in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Why was Paul's farewell in this context so emotional and significant?**

Answer: The farewell described in the preceding verses and culminating in [Acts 21:6](/acts/21-6 "Acts 21:6 - The Departure") was deeply emotional primarily because Paul had warned the Ephesian elders that they would likely "see my face no more" ([Acts 20:25](/acts/20-25 "Acts 20:25 - Paul's Farewell Prophecy")). This was not a casual parting but one imbued with the weight of finality, compounded by the Holy Spirit's repeated warnings about the suffering and imprisonment awaiting Paul in Jerusalem (cf. [Acts 20:22-23](/acts/20-22-23 "Acts 20:22-23 - Paul's Resolve to Go to Jerusalem") and [Acts 21:4](/acts/21-4 "Acts 21:4 - Disciples Warn Paul")). The strong bonds of love and fellowship that had developed between Paul and these leaders, forged through shared ministry and hardship, made the separation particularly poignant.

**What does "they returned home again" imply about the believers who saw Paul off?**

Answer: The phrase "they returned home again" (KJV) or "they went back to their homes" (NIV) implies that these were local believers, likely including the Ephesian elders and other disciples from Tyre, who had accompanied Paul's group to the ship out of love and respect. Their return signifies the continuation of their own lives, ministries, and responsibilities within their respective communities. It highlights the decentralized nature of the early church, where local congregations thrived and continued their work even as apostles like Paul moved on, demonstrating their commitment to their own spheres of influence and the ongoing work of the Gospel in their specific locales.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 21:6, with its depiction of a sorrowful yet resolute departure, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the life and mission of Jesus Himself. Just as Paul embraced separation for the sake of the Gospel's advance, Christ willingly embarked on His ultimate journey to the cross, a "departure" from the Father's immediate presence to accomplish the redemption of humanity. His farewell discourse to His disciples, particularly in [John 13-17](/john/13-17 "John 13-17 - Jesus' Farewell Discourse"), resonates with the emotional weight of Paul's parting, as Jesus prepared His followers for His physical absence while promising the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Jesus' ascension into heaven ([Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - The Ascension of Jesus")) was a "taking leave" that marked the beginning of His intercessory ministry at the Father's right hand, and the empowering of His disciples to carry on His mission. The temporary separation experienced by Paul and the believers foreshadows the believer's present separation from the physical presence of Christ, a separation that is purposeful for the spread of the Kingdom. Yet, just as the believers returned home with a renewed call to local ministry, so too are we called to live faithfully in Christ's absence, awaiting His glorious return. Ultimately, every Christian "goodbye" is temporary, pointing to the ultimate, eternal reunion with our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has gone to prepare a place for us ([John 14:1-3](/john/14-1-3 "John 14:1-3 - Jesus Promises to Return")), ensuring that all who are in Him will never truly be separated from His love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 19:27

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].

John 16:32

Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

John 7:53

And every man went unto his own house.

John 1:11

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

2 Corinthians 2:13

I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.