Acts 21:1

King James Version (KJV)

And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Came with a straight course - Having had, as is necessarily implied, wind and tide in their favor.

Coos - An island in the Archipelago, or Aegean Sea, one of those called the Sporades. It was famous for the worship of Aesculapius and Juno; and for being the birthplace of Hippocrates, the most eminent of physicians, and Apelles, the most celebrated of painters.

Rhodes - Another island in the same sea, celebrated for its Colossus, which was one of the seven wonders of the world. This was a brazen statue of Apollo, so high that ships in full sail could pass between its legs. It was the work of Chares, a pupil of Lysippus, who spent twelve years in making it. It was 106 feet high, and so great that few people could fathom its thumb. It was thrown down by an earthquake about 224 years before Christ, after having stood sixty-six years. When the Saracens took possession of this island, they sold this prostrate image to a Jew, who loaded 900 camels with the brass of it; this was about a.d. 660, nearly 900 years after it had been thrown down.

Patara - One of the chief seaport towns of Syria.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

After we were gotten from them - After we had left the elders at Miletus, Acts 20:38. They were on their way to Jerusalem.

Unto Coos - This was a small island in the Grecian Archipelago, a short distance from the southwestern point of Asia Minor. It is now called “Stan-co.” It was celebrated for its fertility, and for the wine and silk-worms which it produced. It was about 40 miles south of Miletus.

Unto Rhodes - This was also an island in the Grecian Archipelago. On the island was a city of the same name, which was principally distinguished for its brass Colossus, which was built by Chares of Lyndus. It stood across the mouth of the harbor, and was so high that vessels could pass between its legs. It stood for 56 years, and was then thrown down by an earthquake. It was reckoned as one of the seven wonders of the world. When the Saracens took possession of this island they sold this prostrate image to a Jew, who loaded 900 camels with the brass from it. This was 600 a.d., about 900 years after it had been thrown down. The ancient name of the island was Asteria. Its name, Rhodes, was given from the great quantity of roses which it produced.

Unto Patara - This was a maritime city of Lycia, in Asia Minor, over against Rhodes.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Providence must be acknowledged when our affairs go on well. Wherever Paul came, he inquired what disciples were there, and found them out. Foreseeing his troubles, from love to him, and concern for the church, they wrongly thought it would be most for the glory of God that he should continue at liberty; but their earnestness to dissuade him from it, renders his pious resolution the more illustrious. He has taught us by example, as well as by rule, to pray always, to pray without ceasing. Their last farewell was sweetened with prayer.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Were gotten from them. The Greek verb suggests parting with an effort, and the phrase may be translated “having torn ourselves away from them.”

Straight course. Evidently with a favoring wind and tide.

Coos. Rather, Cos, a small island off the coast of Asia Minor, at the entrance to the Greek Archipelago (see Paul’s Third Missionary Tour). Anciently there was on the island a temple to Aesculapius, with a medical school. It was noted too for its wine, silk production, and fabrics.

The day following. Luke, with his evident interest in sea travel, is careful to keep note concerning the days required for the journey (cf. ch. 20:6, 7, 15).

Rhodes. The noted island at the southwest corner of Asia Minor (see Paul’s Third Missionary Tour) which became famous during the Peloponnesian War. An ancient name of the island was Asteria, the place of stars. The name Rhodes was acquired because of the profusion of roses that grew on the island. Its timber, useful for shipbuilding, enabled its citizens to develop a strong navy. A crossroads point, important commercially and for military purposes, it also had a great sun temple, and its coinage bore the head of Apollo as the sun-god. A huge metal statue of Helios, the sun-god, more than 100 ft. high, was known as the Colossus of Rhodes and was called one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Erected by Chares about the year 280 b.c., it was thrown down by an earthquake in 224 b.c., and lay supine for nearly 900 years. In the 7th century a.d. it was sold by the conquering Saracens to a Jew, who is reported to have used 900 camels in hauling it away piecemeal.

Patara. There is slight textual evidence (cf. p. 10) for the addition of “and Myra,” perhaps by transference from Paul’s voyage to Rome (ch. 27:5). Patara was a city on the coast of the province of Lycia (see Paul’s Third Missionary Tour), and was noted for the worship of Apollo. Lying near the mouth of the river Xanthus, it was the port for the city of that name. Here Paul and his company transferred from the coastal vessel to a ship bound for Phoenicia.

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 396-8

“And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.” AA 396.1

From Miletus the travelers sailed in “a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara,” on the southwest shore of Asia Minor, where, “finding a ship sailing over unto Phoenicia,” they “went aboard, and set forth.” At Tyre, where the ship was unloaded, they found a few disciples, with whom they were permitted to tarry seven days. Through the Holy Spirit these disciples were warned of the perils awaiting Paul at Jerusalem, and they urged him “that he should not go up to Jerusalem.” But the apostle allowed not the fear of affliction and imprisonment to turn him from his purpose. AA 396.2

At the close of the week spent in Tyre, all the brethren, with their wives and children, went with Paul to the ship, and before he stepped on board, they knelt upon the shore and prayed, he for them, and they for him. AA 396.3

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Cross References

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and had