Holy Spirit’s Warning and Farewell in Tyre (Acts 21:1-6)

Scripture: Acts 21:1-6

Today’s Word

1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

Background

Paul was heading to Jerusalem after completing his third missionary journey. After a tearful farewell with the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:36-38), he traveled through several port cities and arrived at Tyre. Tyre was an important trading city on the Mediterranean coast where a community of believers had already been established. Paul’s group stayed with these believers for a week while their ship unloaded its cargo.

Earlier in Miletus, Paul had already said, “the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me” (Acts 20:22-23). The suffering awaiting Paul in Jerusalem had already been revealed to him, and now the same revelation was given to the believers in Tyre.

Key Terms Made Simple

• Tyre: An ancient port city on the Mediterranean coast, located in what is now southern Lebanon.
• Through the Spirit: The Holy Spirit revealed to the believers what would happen in the future.
• Urged: To strongly encourage someone not to do something, to plead with them.

Key Expressions to Notice

1. “Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem”
   • This verse can be understood in two parts.
   • The Spirit’s revelation: “Suffering awaits in Jerusalem” – This was prophetic information.
   • The believers’ response: “Therefore, don’t go” – This was their human counsel out of love.
   • The Holy Spirit did not intend to stop Paul, but rather revealed what was coming so he could prepare himself mentally and spiritually.
   • The Tyrian believers, hearing this revelation, urged Paul out of love not to go, but Paul had already resolved to follow his mission despite the anticipated suffering.
2. “All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city”
   • The fact that entire families came out shows their deep love and respect for Paul’s group.
   • Though they had only spent a week together, a deep spiritual bond had formed between them.
3. “There on the beach we knelt to pray”
   • Kneeling together to pray publicly demonstrates the beautiful fellowship of the early church.
   • This scene shows them earnestly entreating God for Paul, who was leaving despite the danger.

Main Points of the Text

1. Paul arrived in Tyre during his journey to Jerusalem and fellowshipped with believers there for a week.
2. Through the Spirit’s revelation, the Tyrian believers learned of the suffering awaiting in Jerusalem and urged Paul out of love not to go.
3. Despite hearing their counsel, Paul did not stop his journey to Jerusalem, following the mission God had given him. This was not to avoid suffering, but a determination to complete his mission despite being prepared for hardship.
4. The believers respected Paul’s decision and accompanied him with their families to see him off, praying together.

Applying to My Life

1. Wisdom to distinguish revelation from response: When God shows us what will happen in the future, we must discern whether it means “avoid this” or “prepare for this.” The Tyrian believers urged Paul out of love, but Paul, hearing the same revelation, understood it as God’s will to “move forward prepared for suffering.”
2. Firm resolve toward mission: Paul did not abandon the mission God had entrusted to him despite the pleading of those who loved him. Indeed, after arriving in Jerusalem, the Lord confirmed that Paul’s decision was within God’s will by saying, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).
3. A mature community that sends with love: Though the Tyrian believers urged Paul to reconsider, they respected his decision and came out with their families to send him off with prayer. We too need the maturity to respect others’ faith decisions while supporting them in prayer.

Think About It

1. When God shows you what will happen in the future, how can you distinguish whether it means “avoid this” or “prepare for this”? What criteria do you use to discern God’s will?
2. The Tyrian believers urged Paul out of love, while Paul moved forward prepared for suffering. Both received the Spirit’s revelation but responded differently. Why did this difference occur? How might the perspectives differ between the one called to a mission and those watching?
3. When making important faith decisions, have you ever experienced conflict between others’ discouragement and the mission you received from God? How did you find God’s true will in that situation?