King James Version

What Does Acts 21:5 Mean?

Acts 21:5 in the King James Version says “And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives an... — study this verse from Acts chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 21:5 · KJV


Context

3

Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

4

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

5

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.

6

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

7

And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They all brought us on our way (προπέμπω, propémpō)—The early church practice of escorting travelers demonstrated covenant loyalty and practical care. The inclusion of 'wives and children' in this farewell underscores the family nature of first-century Christianity. We kneeled down on the shore, and prayed—Public prayer at the water's edge recalls biblical precedents (Acts 16:13) and demonstrated the church's dependence on God rather than human strength. This communal intercession before Paul's dangerous journey manifested genuine spiritual fellowship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Seven-day stays in port cities were common while cargo was loaded and unloaded. The Tyrian church, established after Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 11:19), had grown to include families, showing the gospel's generational impact within two decades.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your faith community demonstrate care through 'sending on the way' those embarking on difficult missions?
  2. What role does corporate, public prayer play in strengthening believers facing uncertain or dangerous callings?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ὅτε1 of 28

when

G3753

at which (thing) too, i.e., when

δὲ2 of 28

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐγένετο3 of 28

had

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἡμᾶς4 of 28

us

G2248

us

ἐξαρτίσαι5 of 28

accomplished

G1822

to finish out (time); figuratively, to equip fully (a teacher)

τὰς6 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέρας7 of 28

those days

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐξελθόντες8 of 28

we departed

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἐπορευόμεθα9 of 28

and went our way

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

προπεμπόντων10 of 28

brought

G4311

to send forward, i.e., escort or aid in travel

ἡμᾶς11 of 28

us

G2248

us

πάντων12 of 28

and they all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

σὺν13 of 28

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

γυναιξὶν14 of 28

wives

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

καὶ15 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τέκνοις16 of 28

children

G5043

a child (as produced)

ἕως17 of 28

till

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

ἔξω18 of 28

we were out of

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively

τῆς19 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλεως20 of 28

the city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

καὶ21 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θέντες22 of 28

we kneeled down

G5087

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr

τὰ23 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γόνατα24 of 28
G1119

the "knee"

ἐπὶ25 of 28

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸν26 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἰγιαλὸν27 of 28

the shore

G123

a beach (on which the waves dash)

προσηυξάμεθα,28 of 28

and prayed

G4336

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 21:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 21:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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