Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
Cyprus.
Acts 21:16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Syria.
Acts 15:23,41 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: …
Acts 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
Judges 10:6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.
Tyre.
Acts 12:20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
Psalm 45:12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
Psalm 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
and passing south of it
This phrase indicates the navigational route taken by the ship. By passing south of Cyprus, the ship was likely taking advantage of prevailing winds and currents. This route was a common maritime path in the ancient world, used by traders and travelers moving between the regions of Asia Minor and the Near East.
we sailed on to Syria
Syria, during the time of Acts, was a Roman province that included the region of modern-day Syria and parts of Lebanon. It was a significant area for early Christianity, with Antioch being a major center for the early church (Acts 11:26). The journey to Syria marks a continuation of Paul's mission to spread the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.
and landed at Tyre
Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, known for its trade and commerce. It was a significant port city in the Roman Empire. In the Old Testament, Tyre is often mentioned in the context of trade and wealth (Ezekiel 27). The city's inclusion in Paul's journey highlights the spread of Christianity to major urban centers.
where the ship was to unload its cargo
This detail underscores the commercial nature of Paul's journey. Ships in the ancient world often carried both passengers and goods, and Tyre was a key trading hub. The unloading of cargo indicates the economic activity of the region and provides a backdrop for Paul's missionary work, as he often engaged with local communities in such bustling environments.
• Luke’s “we” reminds us he is traveling with Paul, providing an eyewitness record (Acts 16:10).
• Cyprus lies to the north; Paul had ministered there earlier with Barnabas (Acts 13:4–12), so the island recalls God’s past faithfulness on missionary journeys.
• The visual landmark assures readers that the voyage is progressing under the Lord’s sovereign care, echoing Psalm 107:23–30, where God guides those “who go down to the sea in ships.”
• The decision not to stop signals Paul’s urgency to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost (Acts 20:16).
• His determination models single-minded obedience much like Jesus “set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).
• The route south of Cyprus avoids prevailing winds, illustrating prudent stewardship of time and resources (Proverbs 16:9).
• “Syria” designates the Roman province that included Phoenicia; Paul is nearing the heartland of earlier church growth (Acts 11:19–26).
• The advance toward Jerusalem fulfills Acts 19:21, where Paul “resolved in the Spirit” to go there after Macedonia and Achaia.
• The narrative underscores God’s geographical strategy—step by step, the gospel radiates from Jerusalem and now circles back (Acts 1:8).
• Tyre, an ancient Phoenician port, already hosted believers scattered by persecution (Acts 11:19).
• Isaiah foresaw Tyre’s wealth consecrated to the Lord (Isaiah 23:18); here we witness the city’s spiritual harvest as disciples welcome Paul (Acts 21:4).
• Paul’s arrival embodies Ephesians 2:14, breaking down walls between Jew and Gentile, for Tyre was long viewed as a Gentile stronghold (Mark 7:24–30).
• Commercial details anchor the narrative in real history and highlight Luke’s careful accuracy (Luke 1:3).
• The unloading grants Paul seven days to fellowship and receive Spirit-led counsel (Acts 21:4), showing how God uses ordinary scheduling to accomplish eternal purposes (Romans 8:28).
• The scene anticipates Paul’s later comparison of gospel ministry to a treasure entrusted for delivery (2 Timothy 1:14).
Acts 21:3 records a straightforward nautical log, yet every phrase points to God’s faithful guidance of Paul’s mission. Past experiences with Cyprus, strategic routing toward Syria, rich fellowship in Tyre, and even a ship’s unloading schedule all converge to move the apostle closer to Jerusalem in God’s perfect timing. The verse assures believers that the Lord directs both the grand and the mundane details of life to advance His unchanging redemptive plan.
(3) When we had discovered Cyprus . . .--The use of a technical term here is specially characteristic of St. Luke. Here the meaning is that, as soon as they sighted Cyprus, they stood to the southeast, and so had it on their left as they continued their voyage to Syria. At Tyre they had again to change their ship. On the position and history of Tyre, see Note on Matthew 11:21.Verse 3. - And for when, A.V.; come in sight of for discovered, A.V.; leaving it... we sailed for we left it... and sailed, A.V.; unto for into, A.V. Had come in sight of; literally, had been shown Cyprus; had had Cyprus made visible to us; i.e. had sighted Cyprus. It is a nautical expression. Meyer compares the phrase πεπίστευμαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον for the grammatical construction. The verb ἀναφαίνω is peculiar to St. Luke, occur-tug elsewhere in the New Testament only in Luke 19:11. It is, however, used repeatedly in the LXX. of Job. Landed; κατήχθημεν, T.R., just the opposite to the ἀνήθημεν of ver. 2; but the R.T. has κατήλθομεν, with the same meaning, "we came to shore." At Tyre, which they may have reached in about forty-eight hours from Patara with a fair wind (Howson). Tyre at this time was still a city of some commercial importance, with two harbors, one north and one south of the causeway which connected the island with the mainland (see Acts 12:20). Howson thinks the ship in which St. Paul sailed may have brought wheat from the Black Sea, and taken up Phoenician wares in exchange. The sight of Cyprus as he sailed by must have brought many and very various memories to the apostle's mind, of Barnabas, of Sergius Paulus, of Elymas, and many others.