When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home. Acts 21:6

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The words more closely read: “And having embraced one another, we went up into the ship, and they returned to their own” (CG).

In the previous verse, the disciples and their families accompanied the missionaries till they were outside the city. There, they bowed their knees to pray on the shore. With that complete, it next says, “And having embraced one another.”

It is the same word used elsewhere at times like this, such as in Acts 20:1, aspazomai. It is variously translated. Some say encouraged, greeted, embraced, saluted, etc. It is repeatedly used by Paul in Romans 16 as he greets individuals in the church, but the word itself signifies to enfold in the arms.

Therefore, it includes some type of body motion, maybe an embrace or a waving of the arm. In this case, it was most probably a close embrace. The tenderness of having accompanied these men to the ship demonstrates the closeness of the relationship, even as if they were family. Next, it says, “we went up into the ship.”

The word anabainó means to ascend or go up. This is just what one does when he gets on a ship, ascending a plank or set of stairs to get to the deck. As for the ship itself, there is an article in front of the word, and so it is likely, but not certain, that this was the same ship that they had arrived on. It had been unloaded and then reloaded during their stay. As no new ship is mentioned, and as Luke is the great detailer of such things, this is most probable. With that considered, the verse ends with words about the disciples and their families, saying, “and they returned to their own.”

The most probable meaning is “their own homes,” but Luke leaves that unstated, simply giving the word that signifies possession, such as a family, home, property, etc.

Life application: These people truly cared about the missionaries that had come to them. The fact that not only they but their entire families joined them to the shore shows this. Someday, we will be brought to the Lord at the rapture. But we aren’t going to just be brought directly to the bema seat where Christ will be sitting, there to receive our judgment.

Rather, the word tells us that the Lord will meet us in the air, having descended from heaven. Imagine the significance of that! Even before we are brought to the Bema Seat of Christ for our judgment, we will be met by Him. Let us endeavor to act in a similar manner toward those we are set to meet. If we can receive them at a restaurant upon their arrival in town or wait outside for them to then bring them into our dwellings, it shows an extra level of attention.

God determined before He created anything that He would come to us rather than us coming to Him. He sent Jesus to this fallen world to redeem us. He will again send Jesus to meet us on our return to glory. And He will come again to Israel as detailed in Revelation 19. Our God meets us where we are. Let us consider this and do likewise to those we interact with as well.

Lord God, how good You are to look upon us with favor. You have given us a way to be restored to You through the coming of Jesus Christ. Help us to also step out and tell others about this wonderful blessing. May we never withhold the good news of Jesus when it is in our power to share it. Help us to be faithful in this, O God. Amen.