Acts 20

1 into Macedonia. See note on xix. 22. For some particulars of this journey, and of the apostle’s anxieties and consolations in Troas and Macedonia, see 2 Cor. ii. 12, 13; vii. 5, 6, and notes. He was probably accompanied by two Ephesians, Tychicus and Trophimus (see ver. 4), who frequently attended him afterwards.

2 those parts. Through Macedonia, and adjoining regions in Northern Greece, probably reaching as far as Illyricum on the Adriatic coast (see Rom. xv. 19, and note).

3 three months. During the winter (see ver. 6). This time he probably spent chiefly at Corinth, rectifying the disorders which prevailed in that church: see 2 Cor. xiii. 1-10. Here he wrote his EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS (see Rom. xvi. 1, 23).

as he was about to sail. He had intended to sail direct to Syria, as he had done before (xviii. 18), on his way to Jerusalem (xix. 21; Rom. xv. 25). But he changed his plan, and took a circuitous route by land through Macedonia.

4 into Asia. Lit., “as far as Asia” (i.e., the province of Asia), where Sopater probably stopped. Luke, Trophimus, and Aristarchus went on with Paul to Jerusalem (see xxi. 29; xxvii. 2), and possibly others too.

Sopater, etc. The title is added, perhaps to distinguish him from Sosipater (Rom. xvi. 21). Respecting Aristarchus, see note on xix. 29. Of Secundus nothing more is known. Gaius (or Caius) of Derbe in Lycaonia is a different person from the Macedonian Gaius of xix. 29. Tychicus appears afterwards as Paul’s messenger to the churches, and the bearer of two of his Epistles (see Eph. vi. 21; Col. iv. 7; 2 Tim. iv. 12; Tit. iii. 12). Trophimus, who became the innocent occasion of his arrest at Jerusalem (xxi. 29), is mentioned again in 2 Tim. iv. 20.

5 us. This word indicates that Luke now rejoined Paul (see note on xvi. 40). They appear to have continued together to the end of the history.

6 in five days. The wind being adverse: see xvi. 11, and note.

7 the first day of the week. See John xx. 26, and note. It is implied that the first day of the week, as being the day of our Lord’s resurrection, had become the customary day of assembling of the church: cp. 1 Cor. xvi. 2.

to break bread. See note on ii. 42.

preached unto them. Or, “discoursed with

9 in a window. Lit., “on the window”; which was without glass, and probably projected over the street, or the interior court.

was taken up dead. This is the plain assertion of an eye-witness, who elsewhere carefully marks a case of apparent death by saying, “supposing him to be dead” (xiv. 19).

10 embracing. Like Elijah (1 Kings xvii. 21) and Elisha (2 Kings iv. 34, 35).

Trouble not yourselves. “Do not lament” (Moffatt).

his life is in him. Restored in answer to the apostle’s prayer.

11 bread. Rather, “the bread,” i.e., of the Communion.

eaten. This was probably either the love-feast which followed the Communion, or a meal for the travellers.

13 sailed unto (set sail for) Assos. A small seaport, opposite to Lesbos, and about twenty miles from Troas by land.

14. Mitylene. Mitylene (now Castro) was the capital of Lesbos, an island near Mysia.

15. Chios. An island about five miles from the coast.

arrived (touched) at Samos. Samos was about fifty miles from Chios. The ship would lie-to for the night at Trogyllium, a cape and town on the continent, opposite Samos, and not far from Miletus. The reference to Trogyllium seems to have been added to the text by some transcriber acquainted with the locality.

Miletus. Now Melos. Miletus was formerly a great commercial port of Asia Minor. It is now some miles inland.

16 to sail by (past) Ephesus. Without visiting it. Paul appears to have feared to trust himself at Ephesus, lest the importunity of his friends, or the condition of the church, might detain him too long.

because he would not spend, etc. Rather, as R.V., “that he might not have to spend time in Asia.”

he hastened, etc. More than three of the seven weeks between the Passover and the Pentecost were gone.

17 he sent to Ephesus. The distance being about thirty miles, he must have stayed three or four days at Miletus.

18-35. This speech is full of expressions and sentiments which peculiarly belong to the apostle, and may be traced in his Epistles. It is remarkable as being the only recorded address of the apostle on his missionary journeys which St. Luke heard; and it is no doubt reported verbatim.

18. Ye know, etc. More literally, “Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I lived among you all the time.”

19 temptations. That is, trials of faith.

20 kept back. “Hesitated” or “shrank from.” A nautical term, meaning to lower sail: see 27.

publicly, and from house to house. The apostle clearly regarded both public and private teaching as essential to the well-being of the church.

22 bound in the spirit. Or, “impelled by the Spirit.”

25. I know. An expression of his strong conviction. For Paul’s closing years, see Phil. i. 7, 12, 13; iv. 22; Eph. vi. 21; Col. i. and iv.; Philemon; 2 Tim. i. 16; ii. 9; iv. 7, 16, 17. The tradition is that he was beheaded A.D. 68.

27. I have not shunned. The same word as in ver. 20, “kept back”; “shrank not from.”

to declare unto you, etc. With particular reference to God’s purpose (or “counsel”) of mercy to the Gentiles: see Eph. iii. 2-11.

28 over the which. Rather, “in which,” that is, in the midst of which.

overseers. The word, here applied to the elders (17) of the Ephesian church, is the one which everywhere else is translated bishops (so here in R.V.).

to feed. Rather, “to tend, as shepherds”: see note on John xxi. 17.

the church of God, etc. “Church of the Lord” is an alternative reading; see R.V. marg.

29 grievous wolves. False teachers, seeking their own private interests, would divide the believers into factions: cp. 2 Tim. ii. 17; and see the subsequent condition of the Ephesian church depicted in Rev. ii. 2-7.

30 of your own selves. For the fulfilment of this prediction in Ephesus see 1 Tim. i. 20; 2 Tim. i. 15; ii. 17.

33 apparel. See note on Matt. vi. 19.

34 these hands have ministered, etc. Cp. 1 Cor. iv. 11, 12, written from Ephesus. It is worthy of notice that Luke says nothing of this in his account of Paul’s residence at Ephesus. Cp. also 1 Cor. ix. 1-18, and notes.

35 all things. Rather, “in all ways”; both by teaching and example.

the weak. The “weak” are all who need support.

the words of the Lord Jesus, how He (Himself) said, etc. This saying, though not preserved by any of the evangelists (see John xxi. 25, and note), was evidently cherished by the first disciples. It breathes the spirit of our Lord’s life and doctrine. It teaches those who have not to labour from necessity, still to labour from benevolence, that they may be able to do more for others.