Acts 21:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐγένετο
had
G1096
ἐγένετο
had
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 28
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐξαρτίσαι
accomplished
G1822
ἐξαρτίσαι
accomplished
Strong's:
G1822
Word #:
5 of 28
to finish out (time); figuratively, to equip fully (a teacher)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρας
those days
G2250
ἡμέρας
those days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
7 of 28
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
ἐπορευόμεθα
and went our way
G4198
ἐπορευόμεθα
and went our way
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
9 of 28
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
προπεμπόντων
brought
G4311
προπεμπόντων
brought
Strong's:
G4311
Word #:
10 of 28
to send forward, i.e., escort or aid in travel
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
13 of 28
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἕως
till
G2193
ἕως
till
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
17 of 28
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
ἔξω
we were out of
G1854
ἔξω
we were out of
Strong's:
G1854
Word #:
18 of 28
out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλεως
the city
G4172
πόλεως
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
20 of 28
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θέντες
we kneeled down
G5087
θέντες
we kneeled down
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
22 of 28
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
25 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 20:36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.Acts 15:3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.Acts 20:38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.Acts 9:40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your faith community demonstrate care through 'sending on the way' those embarking on difficult missions?
- What role does corporate, public prayer play in strengthening believers facing uncertain or dangerous callings?
Analysis & 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.