Acts 21:6

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Acts 21:6 (KJV) describes a poignant moment of separation as Paul and his companions continue their journey towards Jerusalem, leaving behind the devoted believers who had accompanied them to the ship. This verse marks the physical departure after an emotional farewell, particularly with the Ephesian elders.

Context

This verse follows the deeply moving scene described in Acts 20:17-38, where Paul met with the elders of the church in Ephesus at Miletus. Knowing he was bound for Jerusalem and facing potential imprisonment and suffering (as prophesied by the Holy Spirit, see Acts 20:22-23), Paul delivered a powerful farewell discourse. The parting was filled with tears and embraces, as they believed they would not see his face again. Acts 21:6 signifies the final physical act of that sorrowful goodbye, as Paul's group boarded their ship, and the others returned home.

Key Themes

  • Emotional Farewell and Fellowship: The phrase "taken our leave one of another" highlights the strong bonds of Christian fellowship and the difficulty of parting. It underscores the deep love and respect shared between Paul and these early believers, a testament to the community forged by the Gospel.
  • Paul's Unwavering Resolve: Despite the emotional goodbyes and repeated warnings about the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem (e.g., Acts 21:4), Paul's determination to fulfill his mission remained steadfast. This verse shows him literally setting sail towards his divinely appointed, albeit perilous, destination.
  • The Ongoing Missionary Journey: This verse is a small but significant step in Paul's third missionary journey, 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.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "taken our leave" is αΌ€Ο€ΞΏΟ„Ξ±ΟƒΟƒΟŒΞΌΞ΅Ξ½ΞΏΞΉ (apotassomenoi), which implies a formal or final separation, a deliberate act of bidding farewell. It's not a casual parting but one imbued with significance, reflecting the weight of Paul's departure and the uncertainty of future reunion.

Practical Application

Acts 21:6 reminds us of the profound value of Christian community and the bittersweet nature of partings. It encourages us to cherish the bonds we form within the body of Christ and to support one another in our respective callings. Furthermore, Paul's example inspires us to maintain unwavering commitment to God's will, even when faced with emotional difficulty or personal risk. The journey of faith often involves saying difficult goodbyes, yet the mission of God continues, calling us onward.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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