Acts 21:5

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ὅτε

G3753

when

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

δὲ

G1161

And

but, and, etc

ἐγένετο

G1096

had

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

ἡμᾶς

G2248

ἐξαρτίσαι

G1822

accomplished

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

τὰς

G3588

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

ἡμέρας

G2250

those days

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

ἐξελθόντες

G1831

we departed

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἐπορευόμεθα

G4198

and went our way

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

#10

προπεμπόντων

G4311

brought

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

#11

ἡμᾶς

G2248

#12

πάντων

G3956

and they all

all, any, every, the whole

#13

σὺν

G4862

with

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

#14

γυναιξὶν

G1135

wives

a woman; specially, a wife

#15

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#16

τέκνοις

G5043

children

a child (as produced)

#17

ἕως

G2193

till

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

#18

ἔξω

G1854

we were out of

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

#19

τῆς

G3588

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

#20

πόλεως

G4172

the city

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

#21

καὶ

G2532

and

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

#22

θέντες

G5087

we kneeled down

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

#23

τὰ

G3588

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

#24

γόνατα

G1119

the "knee"

#25

ἐπὶ

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

#26

τὸν

G3588

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

#27

αἰγιαλὸν

G123

the shore

a beach (on which the waves dash)

#28

προσηυξάμεθα,

G4336

and prayed

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Acts chapter 21 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

Related Resources

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People

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