Devine Scripture

Acts 21:2

What does Acts 21:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 21:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 21:2 means

Finding a ship bound for Phoenicia, Paul’s team intentionally boards for a longer crossing. This shows both prudence and purpose—choosing a vessel that advances the mission rather than lingering along the coast. Luke’s simple note reveals the realism of gospel work: it involves timetables, shipping lanes, and decisions that serve a higher call. Paul is hastening to reach Jerusalem in time, likely for a feast season, and he uses available means. In the apparent ordinariness of travel, God is steering His servant toward a divinely appointed encounter, where testimony about Christ will be given in the midst of opposition and misunderstanding.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And as there was a ship going to Phoenicia, we went in it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having found a ship passing over to Phenicia, having gone on board, we sailed,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when we had found a ship sailing over to Phenice, we went aboard and set forth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having found a ship passing over into Phoenicia, we went on board and sailed;

Context

Having left Patara, Paul’s party secures a ship that can make the open-sea run toward Phoenicia, moving beyond short hops. This frames the next leg of the journey that will sight Cyprus and make landfall in Syria. Verse 3 will explain their route past Cyprus and their arrival at Tyre for unloading. That stop becomes significant, as believers are found there and the Spirit’s warnings are voiced (verse 4). Thus the ship choice in verse 2 is not incidental—it positions the group exactly where God intends for the next spiritual interactions.

v.1And when it came to pass that we were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

v.2This passage

v.3And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 15:3

    They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

  • Acts 27:6

    And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein.

  • Acts 11:19

    They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.

  • Jonah 1:3

    But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah.

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