And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrasing "torn ourselves away" reveals the deep emotional cost of this parting, highlighting that leaving beloved friends wasn't a simple departure but a difficult, almost violent, separation. This vivid language underscores the intense bonds forged through shared ministry and the heart-wrenching nature of following God's call even when it means leaving loved ones behind.
And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a tearful goodbye with the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul and his companions set sail, immediately heading across the Aegean Sea. Their journey is marked by a series of strategic stops at notable port cities like Cos, Rhodes, and Patara, highlighting their determined progress toward Jerusalem despite the dangers ahead. This navigational segment sets the stage for the intensified prophetic warnings Paul will soon receive about his impending arrest in Jerusalem.
The journey to Jerusalem was one Paul had to take, but it wasn't easy. The original Greek word here suggests a deep, almost physical wrenching away.
Luke uses a powerful Greek word (aposōspasthai) to describe their departure from the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:37-38. It's not just a simple 'goodbye.' This word means to be 'torn away' or 'pulled away.' Imagine the intense emotion – the elders weeping, Paul embracing them, knowing this might be their last meeting.
This isn't just dramatic storytelling; it highlights the cost of obedience. Paul wasn't going to Jerusalem because it was comfortable or easy. He was going because the Holy Spirit had warned him it was necessary. This painful parting underscores his commitment to God's will, even when it meant deep personal sacrifice and emotional distress.
From Miletus to Patara, their voyage was swift and direct. But these weren't just random stops; they were hubs of ancient culture and commerce.
The phrase 'with a straight course' (euthudromos) indicates a swift, direct journey, likely taking advantage of favorable winds. Luke quickly lists their stops: Cos, then Rhodes, then Patara.
These weren't obscure villages. Cos was famous for its wine and fine textiles, a center of learning with a renowned temple to Asclepius, the god of healing. Rhodes was a major island power, known for its impressive Colossus (a giant statue) and bustling trade. Patara was a significant port city in Lycia, with an oracle of Apollo.
Luke, the narrator, isn't just giving a travelogue. He's subtly showing the vastness of the Roman world Paul was traversing. It also highlights God's providence: even on a difficult journey, they found ships and made progress efficiently, allowing them to move through these centers of influence as they headed toward their ultimate destination.
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c. 1400 BC
Ancient Bronze Age Colony
The island of Cos (modern-day Kos) was an established Bronze Age settlement, later becoming a significant Dorian colony. It was renowned for its wines and fine silk fabrics.
c. 292 BC
Colossus of Rhodes Erected
The Colossus of Rhodes, a massive bronze statue of the sun god Helios, was completed. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and stood at the harbor entrance until an earthquake destroyed it in 226 BC.
c. AD 50-60
Paul's Journeys Through the Aegean
During his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul frequently sailed the Aegean Sea, visiting numerous islands and coastal cities, including those mentioned in Acts 21:1.
c. AD 60— this verse
Paul Departs Miletus for Jerusalem
After a heartfelt farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul and his companions set sail towards Jerusalem, determined to reach the city by Pentecost, despite warnings of danger.
c. AD 660
Sale of the Colossus of Rhodes
After lying in ruins for nearly 900 years, the bronze from the fallen Colossus of Rhodes was sold by Saracen conquerors to a Jewish merchant, who reportedly needed 900 camels to transport it.
This passage describes the deeply emotional parting from the Ephesian elders at Miletus, highlighting the 'tearing away' nature of the separation that also characterizes the departure in Acts 21:1. It sets the context for the difficult journey ahead.
Romans 15:25-27Paul's journey to Jerusalem was significantly driven by his mission to carry the collection for the needy saints in Jerusalem. This passage explains the purpose behind his travels, giving weight to the determined course he takes in Acts 21:1.
2 Corinthians 11:25-26This verse details Paul's many dangers at sea, including shipwrecks and perilous journeys. It provides a backdrop of the inherent risks Paul faced, underscoring the determination and reliance on God needed for the 'straight course' journey in Acts 21:1.
Acts 27:1-2Similar to Acts 21:1, this passage describes Paul embarking on another sea voyage to Rome, again highlighting the specific ports of call and the reliance on the ship's route. It shows a recurring pattern in Paul's ministry involving extensive travel by sea.
ellicottActs 21:1: "And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:"
XXI. (1) After we were gotten from them . . .—The Greek verb is more emphatic, and might almost be rendered, “When we had torn ourselves away from them.” We came with a straight course unto Coos . . .—The navigation is, as before (Acts 20:14-15), from port to port. It would hardly be within the scope of…
wesleyActs 21:1: "And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:"
21:1 And when we were torn away from the in - Not without doing violence both to ourselves and them.
The phrasing "torn ourselves away" reveals the deep emotional cost of this parting, highlighting that leaving beloved friends wasn't a simple departure but a difficult, almost violent, separation. This vivid language underscores the intense bonds forged through shared ministry and the heart-wrenching nature of following God's call even when it means leaving loved ones behind.
After a tearful goodbye with the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul and his companions set sail, immediately heading across the Aegean Sea. Their journey is marked by a series of strategic stops at notable port cities like Cos, Rhodes, and Patara, highlighting their determined progress toward Jerusalem despite the dangers ahead. This navigational segment sets the stage for the intensified prophetic warnings Paul will soon receive about his impending arrest in Jerusalem.
After a tearful goodbye with the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul and his companions set sail, immediately heading across the Aegean Sea. Their journey is marked by a series of strategic stops at notable port cities like Cos, Rhodes, and Patara, highlighting their determined progress toward Jerusalem despite the dangers ahead. This navigational segment sets the stage for the intensified prophetic warnings Paul will soon receive about his impending arrest in Jerusalem.
"And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara." — The phrasing "torn ourselves away" reveals the deep emotional cost of this parting, highlighting that leaving beloved friends wasn't a simple departure but a difficult, almost violent, separation. Th…
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Last reviewed October 2026