Acts 21:3 (KJV)

What does Acts 21:3 mean?

Acts 21:3 describes how Paul and his companions, while traveling by ship, saw the island of Cyprus, passed it on their left, and continued sailing to Syria, where they landed at the city of Tyre because the ship needed to unload its cargo. This verse gives a specific detail about their route and why they stopped in Tyre.

The speaker is Luke, narrating the journey he and Paul are taking toward Jerusalem. The verse situates the group’s travel geographically, showing their movement through the eastern Mediterranean. Mentioning the ship’s need to unload in Tyre explains why they stopped there, setting up the events that will follow in the next verses.

The Greek behind Acts 21:3

• The word for "discovered" is ἀναφαίνομαι (anaphainomai), which often means "to appear" or "to come into view." Here, it suggests that Cyprus came into sight as they sailed.
• The word for "unlade" is ἀποφορτίζω (apophortizō), meaning "to unload" or "to discharge cargo." This detail shows that their stop in Tyre was for practical reasons, not just by choice.
• The word for "burden" is γόμος (gomos), which refers to the ship’s cargo or load. This highlights the commercial aspect of their journey and the reason for their stop.

Why Acts 21:3 matters

• Acts 21:3 helps the reader follow Paul’s journey step by step, making the narrative concrete and rooted in real geography.
• The mention of the ship’s need to unload shows that Paul’s travels often depended on the practical realities of ancient travel, not just spiritual direction.
• By noting their route and stop in Tyre, the verse prepares the reader for the important events and encounters that will happen in Tyre in the following verses.