Luke now directs his attention back to Philip. Get yourself ready (see Jerusalem Bible “be ready”) is the same verb which appears in 5.6 and indicates the initiation of action (New English Bible translates “start out”).

Though most translators and commentators understand that Philip was directed to go south, it is possible that this expression is intended to be taken in the sense of “at midday” (see Jerusalem Bible, Zürcher Bibel). This road is no longer used is generally understood to have been a parenthetical statement added by Luke for the benefit of his readers. The Good News Translation gives an alternative rendering of this passage (this is the desert road); and there is also the possibility that the adjective translated no longer used and desert may refer back to Gaza. If so, then the old Philistine city of Gaza, having been destroyed, is now distinguished from the new city of Gaza, built on the coast some two miles west of the old city. Although a number of commentators accept this viewpoint, only a few translators follow this interpretation (see An American Translation* “… from Jerusalem to Gaza. [The town is now deserted]”; and Knox).

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .