5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. 6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. 7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. 8 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. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. (Acts 21:5-9 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. That nothing could divert the apostle from his intended journey to Jerusalem: the report of sufferings was no discouragement to him, nor could the persuasive entreaties of his friends prevail with him. Seeing, therefore, he was resolved to go on, all of them with their wives and children, to testify their great respect and affection to him, accompany him out of the city; and he and they kneeling on the shore, pray together, and take their farewell of each other. The loving communion of saints, and prayer, are the marks of Christ’s true disciples.
Observe, 2. The apostle’s next remove towards Jerusalem was from Tyre to Cesarea, where he lodges with Philip the Evangelist; that is, one of them who was sent forth as itinerary preachers, here and there to dispense the gospel and to confirm the churches. And one of the seven; that is, one of the seven deacons, Ac 6:1.
Here note, that this Philip, in whose house St. Paul now lodged, was before driven out of his house by Paul’s persecution. Ac 8:1, &c. There was a great persecution against the church, and they were all scattered abroad, and Philip went down to Samaria.
This Philip, who was driven out of his house by Paul, when a persecutor, gladly received him into his house, being now Paul a convert; and this without any upbraiding, yea, without the least mention of what he had formerly been or done. It is an ill office to rake in the filth which God has covered, and to reproach men with or for the sins which God has pardoned; it argues some degree of envy at the grace of God, to upbraid men with the sins committed before conversion.
Former miscarriages and injuries should be forgiven and forgotten upon true repentance, and we should receive them into our embraces whom Christ has taken into his bosom: Paul went into the house of Philip the Evangelist.