Acts 21:6
What does Acts 21:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 21:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 21:6 means
The travelers board the ship again, while the local believers return to their homes. Luke’s simple sentence closes the episode with quiet realism. Not everyone is called to the same road; some continue in faithful routines while others sail toward danger. Both are honorable before God. The church’s life consists of departures and returns, of mission and domestic faithfulness. Paul’s path is unique, but the fellowship at Tyre matters: their prayers and love accompany him even as they fade from sight. God’s work advances through both the senders and the sent, each returning to the place Providence assigns.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949We said our last words to one another, and got into the ship, and they went back to their houses.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having embraced one another, we embarked in the ship, and they returned to their own friends.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when we had bid one another farewell, we took ship. And they returned home.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having embraced one another, we went on board ship, and they returned home.
Context
Having prayed on the beach (verse 5), the parties part ways. This transition moves the narrative efficiently to the next stop. Verse 7 will pick up the voyage’s completion to Ptolemais and note brief fellowship there. The pattern—arrival, greeting believers, short stay—will repeat in a fuller way at Cæsarea (verses 8–10). This verse, then, is a bridge between the Tyre scene of warning and affection and the continued march toward Jerusalem that will gather new confirmations of the trials awaiting Paul.
v.5And 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;
v.6This passage
v.7And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:11
He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.
- John 7:53
[And they went every man unto his own house:
- 2 Corinthians 2:13
I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia.
- John 19:27
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home.
- John 16:32
Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is 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.
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