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:

ACTS 21:1KJV
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Acts 21:1 (KJV)

What does Acts 21:1 mean?

Acts 21:1 describes the beginning of the sea journey Paul and his companions took after leaving people close to them at Miletus. The verse traces their route through Coos and Rhodes to Patara, showing the stages of their journey toward Jerusalem.

The narrator says “we,” placing himself among the travelers. Coming after the tearful farewell in Acts 20:37–38, the words “gotten from them” suggest that leaving was difficult. A “straight course” pictures a direct run across the sea.

The Greek behind Acts 21:1

  • “gotten from” — ἀποσπασθέντας (apospasthentas): The Greek carries the sense of being torn or drawn away. Here, it can convey the difficulty of parting from the people Paul had just left.
  • “straight course” — εὐθυδρομήσαντες (euthydromēsantes): The word describes sailing on a direct course. It adds the picture of a ship making a straight run to Coos.

Why Acts 21:1 matters

  • The verse places the narrator in the traveling group. The repeated “we” reports the journey from the standpoint of someone accompanying Paul.
  • The place names mark successive stops along the route. Coos and Rhodes were islands, while Patara was a port on the coast of what is now Turkey.
  • Patara was a stopping point rather than the end of the sea journey. In verse 2, the group finds another ship and boards it.

Where else these words appear

“course” Greek G2113 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 16:11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

“gotten” Greek G645 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
  • Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
  • Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

“following” Greek G1836 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 7:11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
  • Luke 9:37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
  • Acts 25:17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

“thence” Greek G2547 · used in 9 verses

  • Mark 10:1 And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.
  • Acts 13:21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
  • Acts 27:4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.