Acts 21:1

"When we had parted from them" "The Ephesian elders had escorted Paul and his friends to the ship, and now they have parted to go their separate ways. 'Parted' is. strong word in the Greek, and might almost be rendered, 'When we had torn ourselves away from them'" (Reese p. 778). "We ran. straight course" The expression straight course indicates that they had excellent sailing weather (compare with Acts 16:11). Remember, Paul is still with the messengers from the churches (Acts 20:4), and taking the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. "Cos" Pronounced kahz this is. small island between Miletus and Rhodes and was famous for its wines, ointments, purple dyes, and for its fine textured silk and cotton. It was located about 40 miles south of Miletus. "The next day to Rhodes" Rhodes was another island, this time about 50 miles SE of Cos. The island was given the name Rhodes because of the beautiful roses that grow there. "For 56 years the brazen Colossus of Helios stood across the mouth of the harbor. It was so large, being 105 feet high, that ships sailed between its legs. It was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. About 224 B.C., an earthquake threw the idol down and its fragments were still on the spot at the time of Paul's visit" (Reese p. 778). "And from there to Patara" Patara (pronounced pat uh ruh) was. seaport on the coast of Lycia, or the mainland of Asia Minor.