Acts 21:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, it is not they who foretell things to Paul, though they did prophesy, but Agabus. Listen to how this happened.

Philip the deacon had daughters. But note that his daughters were virgins and prophetesses, and that they attained this gift chiefly through piety, so that they were counted worthy even of the gift of prophecy. The writer would not have added that they were virgins if this were not worthy of attention.

The Apostle’s words made a deep impression on the hearts of his hearers (Acts 20:36). All wept. All fell upon Paul’s neck. All kissed him. The travelers could hardly tear themselves from their hands (21:1). This scene was afterward repeated in Tyre, and finally in Caesarea Philippi. The nearer Paul came to Jerusalem, the more clearly and strikingly the fate awaiting him there appeared before him. In Caesarea, Agabus came to him. This was the same man who, fourteen or fifteen years earlier, had opened Paul’s way to Jerusalem with alms by his prophecy of famine. Now, meeting him again with alms, he bound the hands and feet of the benefactor himself with his own belt. This means, said the prophet, that this man will be bound in Jerusalem and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles.

After taking leave of the Ephesian pastors, the Apostle Paul boarded the ship and set out toward Jerusalem with his companions, among whom was also the writer of Acts. Passing by the islands of Cos and Rhodes, they soon reached Patara, a large maritime trading city in the province of Lycia in Asia Minor. There they transferred to a merchant ship bound for Phoenicia. This ship brought them to Tyre, where the Apostle found Christians and stayed among them seven days. From some of them he received a new revelation of the Spirit of God, that bonds and afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem. From Tyre, through Ptolemais, a maritime city within the borders of Palestine, the Apostle and his companions sailed on and came to Caesarea. There, in the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons, they remained many days.

Apart from the exchange of thoughts and memories, during his stay in Philip's house the Apostle Paul could enjoy the tender care of his four daughters. Raised under the beneficial influence of their father, they had dedicated themselves to virgin life and to the service of the Gospel.

The sacred writer's remark that he had four virgin daughters who prophesied stands quite independently, without connection to what precedes or follows. It was probably made only because Philip's house had been mentioned. As a notable feature of this house, or of Philip's family, it is recorded that his four daughters possessed the gift of prophecy. On this gift, see the note on Acts 11:27 and parallels.

The journey from Tyre to Ptolemais was made by sea. Farther on, toward Caesarea and Jerusalem, they went on foot. Therefore it was natural for all the travelers to strengthen themselves with at least a one-day rest before the journey ahead. They also stayed with Philip the deacon in Caesarea Stratonis. Both he and his four daughters were filled with great gifts of grace. Among these, the gift of prophecy, which these maidens possessed, was then held in especially high honor (cf. Acts 11:27). "Ptolemais is the ancient maritime city of Acco, south of Phoenicia, within the borders of Palestine. According to the ancient division, it lay in the tribe of Asher (cf. Judg 1:31), somewhat north of Mount Carmel. The distance between Acco and Caesarea is no more than a day’s journey.

Polycrates, who was bishop in Ephesus, names the place of John’s burial in his letter to Victor, bishop of Rome. There he also mentions the Apostle Philip and his daughters. He writes: "In Asia rest great luminaries, who will rise on the last day, when the Lord descends from heaven in His glory and seeks out all the saints. There is Philip, one of the Twelve, who rests in Hierapolis. There are his two daughters, who grew old in virginity, and yet another daughter, who was guided by the Holy Spirit and rests in Ephesus. And John, who reclined upon the Lord’s breast, the priest who wore the golden plate, martyr and teacher, rests in Ephesus." These are the reports concerning their deaths.