4 “And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.” (Acts 21:4–6)
Upon arriving at the seacoast city of Tyre, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, the Apostle Paul sought out fellow believers in Christ. Upon finding them, he remained there a week. During that time, the believers implored Paul not to go the Jerusalem.
Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Paul is not disobedient to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is compelling him to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22), while also giving prophecies that hardship awaits him there (20:23). In response to such predictions, Paul’s friends, assuming that he should avoid such suffering if possible, tried to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:11-12).”
However, in spite of their earnest pleas Paul was determined to reach Jerusalem. When the seven days were concluded, Paul, Luke and their other companions (Acts 20:4-6), resumed their journey.
The believers accompanied Paul and his companions to the docks. These fellow Christians included women and children. Upon arriving at the beach, they all knelt, prayed, and said goodbye to one another. Following this, the missionaries boarded their ship.
Dr. John Walvoord comments that, “This was Paul’s first contact with this church at Tyre, and yet after only one week there was a strong bond of love. The departure scene is not as poignant as the one at Miletus (20:37), but it was meaningful.”
Such is the heartfelt fellowship Christians have with one another. The bond of love is strong and lifelong. Make every effort to foster such bonds of love with believers in Christ that you personally know. Have a blessed day.
Soli deo Gloria!
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