Acts 21:3

Afrikaans Bible (ABA) 2007 (Bybel vir almal)

Ons het verder geseil en ons kon die eiland Siprus sien. Ons het nog verder geseil en ons het regs verby Siprus geseil tot by Sirië. Ons het by die stad Tirus afgeklim, want die mense moes daar die goed aflaai wat op die skip was.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes the journey of Paul and his companions as they sail past Cyprus, then head to Syria, and finally land at Tyre where the ship needs to unload its cargo. No one is speaking directly; it's a narrative of their travels.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're on a big boat trip with your friends. You see an island called Cyprus but don't stop there. Instead, you keep sailing until you reach a place named Tyre where the boat needs to drop off some things before continuing its journey.

Historical Background

The book of Acts was written by Luke, a traveling companion and physician of Paul. This passage comes from his detailed account of Paul’s third missionary journey around 57 AD. The audience would have included both Jewish and Gentile Christians interested in the spread of early Christianity.

Living It Out Today

Think about when you plan a trip with friends or family. Just like Paul and his companions, sometimes we have to pass by familiar places to reach our destination where important things need to be done before moving on.

Topics

• travel
• missionary journeys
• early church
• navigation
• cargo handling
• geography

Related Verses

• Acts 15:36
• Romans 15:24
• Galatians 2:1
• 1 Corinthians 16:6
• Mark 7:31

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the book of Acts?

The book of Acts was written by Luke, who was a companion and physician to Paul.

What's the purpose of mentioning Cyprus being left on the left hand?

It helps in understanding the direction of travel and emphasizes that they passed by Cyprus without stopping.

Why is Tyre significant in this passage?

Tyre was an important stop where the ship needed to unload its cargo, indicating a strategic point in their journey.

How does Acts 21:3 relate to missionary journeys?

It shows how missionaries like Paul would travel long distances, often with practical stops for logistics and interactions with local communities.