The Meaning of Acts 21:8 Explained

Acts 21:8

KJV: And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

YLT: and on the morrow Paul and his company having gone forth, we came to Caesarea, and having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist -- who is of the seven -- we remained with him,

Darby: And leaving on the morrow, we came to Caesarea; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was of the seven, we abode with him.

ASV: And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the next  [day] we that were of  Paul's  company  departed,  and came  {5625;2064:5627} unto  Caesarea:  and  we entered  into  the house  of Philip  the evangelist,  which was  [one] of  the seven;  and abode  with  him. 

What does Acts 21:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 21:1-14 - Ready To Die For His Lord
The vessel coasted along Asia Minor, sighted Cyprus, sailed to the south of it, and so finally to Tyre. There the disciples were poor and obscure, and it took searching to find them; but they were very warm-hearted, and the whole community, including the children, who never forgot that incident, accompanied Paul to his ship. As they neared the vessel they knelt on the shore to pray together, and so parted.
The journey from Ptolemais (Acre) to Caesarea lay along the edge of the plain of Sharon, at the season bright with the flowers of spring. The days Paul spent at Caesarea were the last happy days of freedom that he was to enjoy for two or three years. What blessed intercourse Paul and Philip must have had! They had both known Stephen. Agabus joined the happy party, with prophecies of peril ahead, but these only served to bring out the magnificent courage of the Apostle. His purpose was inflexible. An unseen hand was beckoning; a voice which only he could hear was calling. He had no doubt as to God's purpose, and went straight forward; though he was not insensible to the love and sympathy of friends. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 21

1  Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy
10  Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem,
13  he will not be dissuaded from going thither
17  He comes to Jerusalem;
27  where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;
37  and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people

Greek Commentary for Acts 21:8

On the morrow [τηι επαυριον]
Another and the more common way of expressing this idea of “next day” besides the three in Acts 20:15 and the one in Acts 21:1. [source]
Unto Caesarea [εις Καισαριαν]
Apparently by land as the voyage Caesarea is the political capital of Judea under the Romans where the procurators lived and a city of importance, built by Herod the Great and named in honour of Augustus. It had a magnificent harbour built Most of the inhabitants were Greeks. This is the third time that we have seen Paul in Caesarea, on his journey from Jerusalem to Tarsus (Acts 9:30), on his return from Antioch at the close of the second mission tour (Acts 18:22) and now. The best MSS. omit οι περι Παυλου — hoi peri Paulou (we that were of Paul‘s company) a phrase like that in Acts 13:13. Into the house of Philip the evangelist (εις τον οικον Πιλιππου του ευαγγελιστου — eis ton oikon Philippou tou euaggelistou). Second in the list of the seven (Acts 6:5) after Stephen and that fact mentioned here. By this title he is distinguished from “Philip the apostle,” one of the twelve. His evangelistic work followed the death of Stephen (Acts 8) in Samaria, Philistia, with his home in Caesarea. The word “evangelizing” (ευηγγελιζετο — euēggelizeto) was used of him in Acts 8:40. The earliest of the three N.T. examples of the word “evangelist” (Acts 21:8; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5). Apparently a word used to describe one who told the gospel story as Philip did and may have been used of him first of all as John was termed “the baptizer” (ο βαπτιζων — ho baptizn Mark 1:4), then “the Baptist” (ο βαπτιστης — ho baptistēs Matthew 3:1). It is found on an inscription in one of the Greek islands of uncertain date and was used in ecclesiastical writers of later times on the Four Gospels as we do. As used here the meaning is a travelling missionary who “gospelized” communities. This is probably Paul‘s idea in 2 Timothy 4:5. In Ephesians 4:11 the word seems to describe a special class of ministers just as we have them today. Men have different gifts and Philip had this of evangelizing as Paul was doing who is the chief evangelist. The ideal minister today combines the gifts of evangelist, herald, teacher, shepherd. “We abode with him” Constative aorist active indicative. Παρ αυτωι — Par autōi (by his side) is a neat idiom for “at his house.” What a joyful time Paul had in conversation with Philip. He could learn from him much of value about the early days of the gospel in Jerusalem. And Luke could, and probably did, take notes from Philip and his daughters about the beginnings of Christian history. It is generally supposed that the “we” sections of Acts represent a travel document by Luke (notes made by him as he journeyed from Troas to Rome). Those who deny the Lukan authorship of the whole book usually admit this. So we may suppose that Luke is already gathering data for future use. If so, these were precious days for him. [source]
Into the house of Philip the evangelist [εις τον οικον Πιλιππου του ευαγγελιστου]
Second in the list of the seven (Acts 6:5) after Stephen and that fact mentioned here. By this title he is distinguished from “Philip the apostle,” one of the twelve. His evangelistic work followed the death of Stephen (Acts 8) in Samaria, Philistia, with his home in Caesarea. The word “evangelizing” Apparently a word used to describe one who told the gospel story as Philip did and may have been used of him first of all as John was termed “the baptizer” It is found on an inscription in one of the Greek islands of uncertain date and was used in ecclesiastical writers of later times on the Four Gospels as we do. As used here the meaning is a travelling missionary who “gospelized” communities. This is probably Paul‘s idea in 2 Timothy 4:5. In Ephesians 4:11 the word seems to describe a special class of ministers just as we have them today. Men have different gifts and Philip had this of evangelizing as Paul was doing who is the chief evangelist. The ideal minister today combines the gifts of evangelist, herald, teacher, shepherd. “ [source]
We abode with him []
” Constative aorist active indicative. Παρ αυτωι — Par autōi (by his side) is a neat idiom for “at his house.” What a joyful time Paul had in conversation with Philip. He could learn from him much of value about the early days of the gospel in Jerusalem. And Luke could, and probably did, take notes from Philip and his daughters about the beginnings of Christian history. It is generally supposed that the “we” sections of Acts represent a travel document by Luke (notes made by him as he journeyed from Troas to Rome). Those who deny the Lukan authorship of the whole book usually admit this. So we may suppose that Luke is already gathering data for future use. If so, these were precious days for him. [source]
We that were of Paul's company []
The best texts omit. [source]
Philip []
See ch. 8. [source]
The seven []
The first deacons. See Acts 6:5. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 21:8

Acts 21:8 Unto Caesarea [εις Καισαριαν]
Apparently by land as the voyage Caesarea is the political capital of Judea under the Romans where the procurators lived and a city of importance, built by Herod the Great and named in honour of Augustus. It had a magnificent harbour built Most of the inhabitants were Greeks. This is the third time that we have seen Paul in Caesarea, on his journey from Jerusalem to Tarsus (Acts 9:30), on his return from Antioch at the close of the second mission tour (Acts 18:22) and now. The best MSS. omit οι περι Παυλου — hoi peri Paulou (we that were of Paul‘s company) a phrase like that in Acts 13:13. Into the house of Philip the evangelist (εις τον οικον Πιλιππου του ευαγγελιστου — eis ton oikon Philippou tou euaggelistou). Second in the list of the seven (Acts 6:5) after Stephen and that fact mentioned here. By this title he is distinguished from “Philip the apostle,” one of the twelve. His evangelistic work followed the death of Stephen (Acts 8) in Samaria, Philistia, with his home in Caesarea. The word “evangelizing” (ευηγγελιζετο — euēggelizeto) was used of him in Acts 8:40. The earliest of the three N.T. examples of the word “evangelist” (Acts 21:8; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5). Apparently a word used to describe one who told the gospel story as Philip did and may have been used of him first of all as John was termed “the baptizer” (ο βαπτιζων — ho baptizn Mark 1:4), then “the Baptist” (ο βαπτιστης — ho baptistēs Matthew 3:1). It is found on an inscription in one of the Greek islands of uncertain date and was used in ecclesiastical writers of later times on the Four Gospels as we do. As used here the meaning is a travelling missionary who “gospelized” communities. This is probably Paul‘s idea in 2 Timothy 4:5. In Ephesians 4:11 the word seems to describe a special class of ministers just as we have them today. Men have different gifts and Philip had this of evangelizing as Paul was doing who is the chief evangelist. The ideal minister today combines the gifts of evangelist, herald, teacher, shepherd. “We abode with him” Constative aorist active indicative. Παρ αυτωι — Par autōi (by his side) is a neat idiom for “at his house.” What a joyful time Paul had in conversation with Philip. He could learn from him much of value about the early days of the gospel in Jerusalem. And Luke could, and probably did, take notes from Philip and his daughters about the beginnings of Christian history. It is generally supposed that the “we” sections of Acts represent a travel document by Luke (notes made by him as he journeyed from Troas to Rome). Those who deny the Lukan authorship of the whole book usually admit this. So we may suppose that Luke is already gathering data for future use. If so, these were precious days for him. [source]
Acts 8:5 Philip [Πιλιππος]
The deacon (Acts 6:5) and evangelist (Acts 21:8), not the apostle of the same name (Mark 3:18). [source]
Acts 8:5 To the city of Samaria [εις την πολιν της Σαμαριας]
Genitive of apposition. Samaria is the name of the city here. This is the first instance cited of the expansion noted in Acts 8:4. Jesus had an early and fruitful ministry in Samaria (John 4), though the twelve were forbidden to go into a Samaritan city during the third tour of Galilee (Matthew 10:5), a temporary prohibition withdrawn before Jesus ascended on high (Acts 1:8). Proclaimed (εκηρυσσεν — ekērussen). Imperfect active, began to preach and kept on at it. Note ευαγγελιζομενοι — euaggelizomenoi in Acts 8:4 of missionaries of good news (Page) while εκηρυσσεν — ekērussen here presents the preacher as a herald. He is also a teacher (διδασκαλος — didaskalos) like Jesus. Luke probably obtained valuable information from Philip and his daughters about these early days when in his home in Caesarea (Acts 21:8). [source]
Acts 8:5 Proclaimed [εκηρυσσεν]
Imperfect active, began to preach and kept on at it. Note ευαγγελιζομενοι — euaggelizomenoi in Acts 8:4 of missionaries of good news (Page) while εκηρυσσεν — ekērussen here presents the preacher as a herald. He is also a teacher (διδασκαλος — didaskalos) like Jesus. Luke probably obtained valuable information from Philip and his daughters about these early days when in his home in Caesarea (Acts 21:8). [source]
2 Timothy 4:5 Of an evangelist [εὐαγγελιστοῦ]
Here, Acts 21:8and Ephesians 4:11. In the last passage, a special function, with apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers. A traveling, minister whose work was not confined to a particular church. So Philip, Acts 8:5-13, Acts 8:26-40. A helper of the apostles. An apostle, as such, was an evangelist (1 Corinthians 1:17), but every evangelist was not an apostle. In The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (about 100 a.d.) it is prescribed that an apostle shall not remain in one place longer than two days, and that when he departs he shall take nothing with him except enough bread to last until his next station (ch. xi). [source]
Revelation 17:11 Is himself also an eighth and is of the seven [και αυτος ογδοος και εκ των επτα]
This is the angel‘s interpretation and it looks like a reference to Domitian as the eighth, who is regarded as one of the seven because he was considered a second Nero (Nero redivivus). For εκ των επτα — ek tōn hepta see Acts 21:8. John may have used εκ των — ek tōn instead of εις εκ των — heis ek tōn to avoid absolute identity between Domitian and Nero (Beckwith). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 21:8 mean?

On the now next day having gone forth we came to Caesarea and having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist being of the seven we stayed with him
Τῇ δὲ ἐπαύριον ἐξελθόντες ἤλθομεν εἰς Καισάρειαν καὶ εἰσελθόντες εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φιλίππου τοῦ εὐαγγελιστοῦ ὄντος ἐκ τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐμείναμεν παρ’ αὐτῷ

Τῇ  On  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐπαύριον  next  day 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἐπαύριον  
Sense: on the morrow, the next day.
ἐξελθόντες  having  gone  forth 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐξέρχομαι 
Sense: to go or come forth of.
ἤλθομεν  we  came 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
Καισάρειαν  Caesarea 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: Καισάρεια  
Sense: Caesarea of Philippi was situated at the foot of Lebanon near the sources of the Jordan in Gaulanitis, and formerly called Paneas; but afterward being rebuilt by Philip the tetrarch, it was called by him Caesarea, in honour of Tiberias Caesar; subsequently called Neronias by Agrippa II, in honour of Nero.
εἰσελθόντες  having  entered 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: εἰσέρχομαι  
Sense: to go out or come in: to enter.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
οἶκον  house 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: οἶκος  
Sense: a house.
Φιλίππου  of  Philip 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Φίλιππος  
Sense: an apostle of Christ.
εὐαγγελιστοῦ  evangelist 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: εὐαγγελιστής  
Sense: a bringer of good tidings, an evangelist.
ὄντος  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἑπτὰ  seven 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἑπτά  
Sense: seven.
ἐμείναμεν  we  stayed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: μένω  
Sense: to remain, abide.