21:8a

Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went on to is literally “came to.” It does not indicate whether they traveled by land or by water. They probably traveled by water but it is possible they traveled by land. Therefore, use a general word. For example:

The next day we left and came to Caesarea. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
On the following day we left and arrived in Caesarea. (Good News Translation)

It is about sixty-four kilometers (forty miles) from Ptolemais to Caesarea. This would be about six hours by ship with good winds or thirteen hours by foot.

Caesarea: This name refers to a city on the Mediterranean coast of the province of Judea. See how you spelled this name in 8:40 or 18:22.

21:8b

stayed at the home of Philip: The Greek words are literally “entering into the house of Philip,…we stayed with him.” For example:

we entered the house of Philip…and stayed with him (Revised Standard Version)

“Entering” implies that Philip invited them in. The clause also implies that Philip invited them to stay. For example:

Philip ⌊invited⌋ us into his house…and to stay with him. And we did.

Philip: This was the same man named Philip in 6:5 and 8:5–40. See how you spelled his name there.

21:8c

evangelist: Here this word means “someone who tells/proclaims the good news about Jesus.” An evangelist tells it mainly to people who do not believe in Jesus yet. He tells it in hope that some will believe. Philip told the good news about Jesus to people in Samaria and to the Ethiopian official (chapter 8). Other ways to translate this word are:

His work was telling the gospel ⌊to people who do not believe⌋ ⌊yet⌋
-or-
a person who carried the Good News
-or-
a man whose work was proclaiming the good news about Jesus

one of the Seven: Here the phrase the Seven refers to seven men that believers chose to help widows (6:1–6). In some languages a literal translation will not be natural or make the meaning clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

one of the seven men who had been chosen as helpers in Jerusalem (Good News Translation)
-or-
one of the seven men who helped the apostles (God’s Word)
-or-
one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food (New Living Translation (2004))

You may also want to indicate that this phrase refers to 6:1–6 in a footnote. An example footnote is:

See 6:1–6.

• Translate literally and explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The phrase “the Seven” refers to seven men that the apostles chose to help widows (6:1–6).

the Seven: Here the phrase the Seven implies seven “men.” In some languages a word such as “men” must be explicit. For example:

the Seven Men/Helpers

General Comment on 21:8b–c

The order of the Greek words here is:

and entering into the house of Philip, the evangelist, one of the Seven, we stayed/lodged with him

Some languages can follow this order. Other languages must reorder this information. For example:

and entered into the house of the evangelist Philip. He was one of the Seven. We stayed/lodged with him.
-or-
and entering into the house of Philip, we stayed/lodged with him. He was one of the Seven ⌊Helpers⌋, and an evangelist.

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