The third "we"section of Acts (21:1-18) is of theological importance because it focuses on Paul's recapitulation of Jesus' passion. Note the similarities between Luke's accounts of Jesus' trip to Jerusalem and Paul's. Both stories involve a plot by the Jews and handing over to the Gentiles. There were triple predictions along the way of suffering in Jerusalem in both cases. Both Jesus and Paul steadfastly resolved to go there despite opposition, and both resigned themselves to God's will.834Luke probably told his story as he did to help the reader appreciate the similarities between Jesus and Paul to authenticate Paul's ministry.
21:1-3 Cos was an island a day's travel by ship from Miletus. Rhodes refers to the city on the island of Rhodes, another day's distance. A gigantic statue of Apollo, the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, stood astride the entrance to this harbor years earlier. From there Paul's party continued east to Patara, another day's journey. There the missionaries were able to transfer to a ship bound directly for Tyre 400 miles away. They sailed to the south of Cyprus. Tyre was in ancient Phoenicia, then part of the Roman province of Syria.
21:4 Refugees from the persecution that followed Stephen's martyrdom had evangelized Phoenicia (11:19). Paul and his companions stayed in Tyre for seven days fellowshipping with the Christians.
"Sea journeys in the ancient world depended on finding shipping available, and accepting delays arising from loading and unloading. It is therefore not inconsistent that Paul was in haste to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, yet had stopped for a week at Troas, and now spends a week at Tyre; he would have no choice."835
There is ample evidence in the text that Paul was not disobedient to God in going on to Jerusalem (cf. 9:16; 19:21; 20:22-24; 21:14; 23:1, 11).836It seems that one or more prophets in the church at Tyre also foretold His arrest in Jerusalem (20:23) and they, anxious about his safety, urged him not to proceed.
"Paul, however, regarded it not as a prohibition but a divine forewarning so that he would be spiritually prepared for what would happen."837
21:5-6 As they had done when leaving the Ephesian elders, Paul and his fellow missionaries kneeled down and prayed with these believers before they parted (cf. 20:36). This reflects Paul's ongoing commitment to and dependance on God. Then they reboarded the ship, and the Christians of Tyre returned home.
