Acts 21:16

King James Version (KJV)

There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And brought with them one Mnason, etc. - It is not very likely that they would bring a man with them with whom they were to lodge in Jerusalem; therefore, the text should perhaps be read as Bp. Patrick proposes: There went with us certain of the disciples of Caesarea, bringing us to one Mnason, with whom we were to lodge. This is most likely, as the text will bear this translation. But it is possible that Mnason, formerly of Cyprus, now an inhabitant of Jerusalem, might have been down at Caesarea, met the disciples, and invited them to lodge with him while they were at Jerusalem; and, having transacted his business at Caesarea, might now accompany them to Jerusalem. His being an old disciple may either refer to his having been a very early convert, probably one of those on the day of pentecost, or to his being now an old man.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

One Mnason of Cyprus - The original in this place would be better translated, “And brought us to Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple,” etc. It is evident that, though Mnason was originally of Cyprus, yet he was now an inhabitant of Jerusalem, and was well known to the disciples at Caesarea. It is possible that he might have been at Caesarea, and accompanied Paul to Jerusalem; but the more correct interpretation of the passage is, that Paul and his fellow-travelers were conducted to his house in Jerusalem, and that he was not with them in the journey.

Of Cyprus - See the notes on Acts 4:36.

An old disciple - An early convert to Christianity - perhaps one who was converted before the crucifixion of the Saviour.

With whom we should lodge - In whose house we were to take up our abode. The rites of hospitality were shown in a distinguished manner by the early Christians.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Paul had express warning of his troubles, that when they came, they might be no surprise or terror to him. The general notice given us, that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God, should be of the same use to us. Their weeping began to weaken and slacken his resolution Has not our Master told us to take up our cross? It was a trouble to him, that they should so earnestly press him to do that in which he could not gratify them without wronging his conscience. When we see trouble coming, it becomes us to say, not only, The will of the Lord must be done, and there is no remedy; but, Let the will of the Lord be done; for his will is his wisdom, and he doeth all according to the counsel of it. When a trouble is come, this must allay our griefs, that the will of the Lord is done; when we see it coming, this must silence our fears, that the will of the Lord shall be done; and we ought to say, Amen, let it be done. It is honourable to be an old disciple of Jesus Christ, to have been enabled by the grace of God to continue long in a course of duty, stedfast in the faith, growing more and more experienced, to a good old age. And with these old disciples one would choose to lodge; for the multitude of their years shall teach wisdom. Many brethren at Jerusalem received Paul gladly. We think, perhaps, that if we had him among us, we should gladly receive him; but we should not, if, having his doctrine, we do not gladly receive that.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

16. Brought with them one Mnason. Rather, “bringing [us] to one Mnason.” This early (rather than “old”) disciple, of whom nothing else is known, had left Cyprus and made his home either at Jerusalem or at a village on the way to Jerusalem. The name was common among the Greeks, and he may have been an early Hellenistic convert.

Should lodge. This verse indicates that some of the Caesarean believers accompanied Paul and his friends all the way to Jerusalem (64 mi.) in order to introduce Paul to their friend Mnason, an early disciple whom Paul had never met, who was to be his host. This was not Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem; he was not unknown to the church there and needed no introduction to a stranger in order to have a lodging place in Jerusalem. This apparent discrepancy in the story may be understood and harmonized by consideration of factors of geography and social custom of the day.

The 64-mi. distance from Caesarea to Jerusalem was too far for one day’s journey, but could be covered in two or three days. Hospitality customs would not have required the Caesarean believers to accompany Paul and his group all the way to Jerusalem in order merely to introduce him to their friend, who was to be his host. It is far more likely that they escorted him one day’s journey, to the home of their friend Mnason in a village on the way, where Paul and his company lodged that one night.

This proposed solution to the problem is supported by a variant textual reading. Instead of “and brought Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ lodge,” there is some textual evidence (cf. p. 10) for the reading, “and these brought us to the one with whom we should lodge; and being brought to a certain village, we came to a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple.” Verse 17 logically follows this reading, indicating the progression of the journey and Paul’s reception by the brethren in Jerusalem.

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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

of the

Cyprus

an old