Acts - 21:15



15 After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Acts 21:15.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
And after those days, being prepared, we went up to Jerusalem.
And after these days, having got our effects ready, we went up to Jerusalem.
And after those days we took up our furniture, and went up to Jerusalem.
And after these days, having taken our vessels, we were going up to Jerusalem,
A few days afterwards we loaded our baggage-cattle and continued our journey to Jerusalem.
And after these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.
Then, after those days, having made preparations, we ascended to Jerusalem.
At the end of our visit, we made our preparations, and started on our way up to Jerusalem.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

When we had taken up our burdens. Paul's companions declare, that when they went about to call back Paul from danger, they did rather care for the common safety of the Church, than every man for his own life. For after they had taken the repulse, they do not refuse to take part with him in the same danger; and yet this was a plausible excuse that they were bound by no law to be hauled to suffer death, through one man's stubbornness. And this is truly to bring our affections in subjection to God, when we are terrified with no fear, but every one of us endeavoreth, so much as he is able, to further that which we know doth please him. Also, it appeareth more plainly what great ferventness of godliness was in the rest, who of their own accord accompany him, and bring him an host; whereas, notwithstanding, they might well have feared many discommodities.

After those days - After what had occurred, as related in the previous verses.
We took up our carriages - This is a most unhappy translation. The word carriage we apply now exclusively to a vehicle for conveying anything as a coach, chariot, gig, cannon carriage, etc. The original word means simply that they prepared themselves; made themselves ready; put their baggage in order, etc. ἀποσκευασάμενοι aposkeuasamenoi. They prepared for the journey. The English word carriage was formerly used in the sense of what is carried, baggage, burden, vessels, furniture, etc. Thus, it was used in the time that our translation was made; and in this sense it is to be understood in 1-Samuel 17:22, "And David left his carriage (baggage) in the hand of the keeper of the carriage," etc. See Acts 21:20, margin; Isaiah 10:28, "At Michmash he hath laid up his carriages" (his baggage, etc.).

Took up our carriages - Αποσκευασαμενοι; We made ourselves ready; packed up our things; got our baggage in order. This is what the text means.

And after those days we took up our carriages,.... Or prepared themselves, both for their journey, and for whatever trials and exercises they were to meet with; they took up their bundles, which hitherto were brought by sea, and now put them upon beasts, going by land from Caesarea:
and went up to Jerusalem; which stood on higher ground, and was, as Josephus (n) says, six hundred furlongs, or seventy five miles distant.
(n) De Bello Jude. l. 1. c. 3. sect. 5.

we took up our carriages--"our baggage."
and went up to Jerusalem--for the fifth time after his conversion, thus concluding his third missionary tour, which proved his last, so far as recorded; for though he accomplished the fourth and last part of the missionary plan sketched out (Acts 19:21) --"After I have been at Jerusalem, I must also see Rome"--it was as "a prisoner of Jesus Christ."

Took up our carriages. Our baggage. See Revision. "Carriages" once meant the things carried.
Went with us certain disciples of CÃ&brvbr;sarea. Paul was often thus attended. They seem to have gone in order to find a place for him with an old disciple, a native of Cyprus, now dwelling in Jerusalem, named Mnason.
Come to Jerusalem. This is the fifth time Paul entered the Holy City since his departure on that memorable journey to Damascus about twenty-two years before. The present probable date is near Pentecost (the latter part of May), A. D. 58.

We took up our carriages - Our baggage; which probably went by sea before. What they took with them now in particular was the alms they were carrying to Jerusalem, Acts 24:17.

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