Return to Jerusalem and Syrian Antioch; Acts 18:22

Church History: A.D. 49 – 52

22When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

Paul's visit to Jerusalem; a short visit it was, but it served as a token of respect to that truly mother-church. He came by sea to the port that lay next to Jerusalem. He sailed from Ephesus (Acts 18:21), and landed at Cæsarea, (Ac 18:22). He chose to go by sea, for expedition and for safety, and that he might see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. Joppa had been the port for Jerusalem, but Herod having improved Cæsarea, and the port at Joppa being dangerous, that was generally made use of. He went up, and saluted the church, by which, I think, is plainly meant the church at Jerusalem, which is emphatically called the church, because there the Christian church began, (Acts 15:4). Paul thought it was a necessity to show himself among them, that they might not think his success among them or the Gentiles had made him think of himself either above them or estranged from them, or that the honor God had put upon him made him unmindful of the honor he owed to them. His going to salute the church at Jerusalem intimates that it was a very friendly visit that he made them, in pure kindness, to enquire into their state, and to testify his hearty good-will to them.7