Acts 20:15

KJV

And we sailed thence, and came the next [day] over against Chios; and the next [day] we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next [day] we came to Miletus.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2547} we sailed {G636} thence {G2547}, and came {G2658} the next {G1966} day over against {G481} Chios {G5508}; and {G1161} the next {G2087} day we arrived {G3846} at {G1519} Samos {G4544}, and {G2532} tarried {G3306} at {G1722} Trogyllium {G5175}; and the next {G2192} day we came {G2064} to {G1519} Miletus {G3399}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The next day, we sailed from there and arrived off Chios; the following day, we crossed over to Samos; and the day after that, we reached Miletus.

Berean Standard Bible

Sailing on from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The day after that we arrived at Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus.

American Standard Version

And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 20:15 meticulously details a segment of Paul's urgent maritime journey from Troas towards Jerusalem, chronicling the daily progress of his ship as it navigated the Aegean Sea. This verse, part of Luke's "we" passages, provides a precise itinerary, noting the sequential arrival at Chios, Samos (with a stop at Trogyllium), and finally Miletus, underscoring the purposeful and continuous nature of their voyage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 20:15 is embedded within Luke's account of Paul's third missionary journey, specifically the return leg following his extensive ministry in Ephesus and Greece. The preceding verses (Acts 20:7-12) recount the dramatic raising of Eutychus in Troas, after which Paul and his companions departed. The urgency of their travel is highlighted by Paul's desire to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16), which explains his decision to bypass Ephesus, a city where he had spent three years (Acts 19:8-10, Acts 20:31). Instead, he planned to meet the Ephesian elders in Miletus (Acts 20:17), a nearby port, to conserve time. This verse, with its detailed geographical and temporal markers, serves as a transitional passage, bridging Paul's departure from Troas and his significant farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Miletus (Acts 20:17-38). The consistent use of the first-person plural "we" throughout this section (Acts 20:5-15) signifies Luke's personal presence and eyewitness perspective, lending historical veracity to the narrative.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's journey occurred in the mid-1st century AD, a period when sea travel was common but often slow and dependent on winds. The Aegean Sea, dotted with islands, was a major maritime route connecting Asia Minor with Greece. Chios and Samos were well-known islands, and Trogyllium was a small promontory or harbor on the mainland near Samos, often used as a stopping point. Miletus was a significant port city south of Ephesus, making it a convenient meeting point for Paul and the Ephesian elders without requiring the ship to make a potentially time-consuming detour into the larger Ephesian harbor. The "next day" phrasing reflects the typical daily progress of ancient sailing vessels, which often anchored at night or when winds were unfavorable, resuming their journey with the dawn. Paul's adherence to the Jewish calendar, specifically his desire to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, demonstrates his continued connection to his Jewish heritage even as he tirelessly spread the gospel to Gentiles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Acts and Paul's ministry. Firstly, it underscores the **intentionality and urgency** of Paul's apostolic mission. His journey was not aimless but driven by a clear purpose and a specific timeline, echoing the focused dedication seen in his broader ministry (cf. [Philippians 3:14](/philippians/3-14 "Philippians 3:14 - Pressing Towards the Goal")). Secondly, the meticulous recording of seemingly mundane travel details highlights the theme of **divine providence in daily life**. God's sovereign hand guides His servants not only through dramatic miracles but also through the ordinary, day-to-day movements and logistical challenges of their journeys. This demonstrates that every step of a believer's life, even a simple voyage, can be part of God's larger redemptive plan. Lastly, the geographical and temporal precision of the account reinforces Luke's reputation as a **careful historian and reliable eyewitness**. His detailed narrative, including specific locations and daily progression, adds a layer of historical credibility to the book of Acts, assuring readers of the factual basis of the early church's expansion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **epioûsa (Greek, _epioûsa'_):** This feminine singular participle, often translated as "next" or "following," refers to the ensuing day or night. Its repeated use in Acts 20:15 ("the next day... and the next day... and the next day") emphasizes the sequential, day-by-day progression of Paul's journey. It highlights a steady, disciplined, and continuous movement towards their destination, reflecting the methodical nature of their travel and the urgency driving Paul.
* **katantáō (Greek, _katantáō'_):** Meaning "to meet against" or "arrive at," this verb describes the act of reaching a specific destination, whether literally or figuratively. In this verse, it is used to denote the ship's arrival at Chios and later Miletus. It signifies the successful completion of a leg of the journey, emphasizing the attainment of a geographical point after a period of travel.
* **ménō (Greek, _ménō'_):** This primary verb means "to stay," "abide," "continue," or "tarry." In Acts 20:15, it specifically describes the act of "tarrying at Trogyllium." This indicates a temporary stop or pause in the journey, suggesting either an overnight stay, a wait for favorable conditions, or a brief respite before continuing the voyage. It contrasts with the continuous sailing, marking a moment of rest or delay.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And we sailed thence, and came the next [day] over against Chios;":** This clause marks the immediate continuation of the journey from Troas. "Thence" refers to the departure point. The phrase "the next day" signifies the first day of sailing after leaving Troas, indicating that they reached the vicinity of Chios, an island in the Aegean, by the end of that day. "Over against" suggests they were opposite or near the island, possibly anchoring for the night or sailing past it.
* **"and the next [day] we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium;":** This describes the second day of sailing. They reached Samos, another Aegean island. The mention of Trogyllium, a promontory or harbor on the mainland very close to Samos, indicates a specific stopping point. "Tarried" implies a stay, likely overnight, before resuming their journey. This detail adds to the precision of Luke's travelogue.
* **"and the next [day] we came to Miletus.":** This final clause for the verse details the third day of sailing. After their stop at Trogyllium, they continued their voyage and successfully arrived at Miletus, a significant port city on the coast of Asia Minor. Miletus was Paul's intended destination for meeting the Ephesian elders, making this arrival a crucial point in the narrative.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's narration in Acts 20:15 is characterized by its remarkable **precision** and **chronological narration**. The repeated phrase "the next day" (Greek: _epioûsa_) functions as a form of **anaphora**, emphasizing the methodical, day-by-day progression of the journey and highlighting the relentless pace Paul and his companions maintained. This repetition creates a sense of continuous movement and urgency. The detailed naming of specific geographical locations—Chios, Samos, Trogyllium, and Miletus—serves as **verisimilitude**, enhancing the historical credibility and eyewitness nature of Luke's account. It grounds the spiritual narrative in tangible, verifiable reality. The entire verse functions as an **itinerary**, providing a factual and sequential record of travel, which is a common feature of ancient travelogues and reinforces Luke's meticulous historical methodology.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 20:15, though seemingly a simple travel log, subtly reinforces profound theological truths about God's sovereignty and human intentionality. It demonstrates that God's overarching plan for the spread of the gospel unfolds not just through dramatic miracles and powerful sermons, but also through the mundane, day-to-day logistics of travel and the diligent, purposeful efforts of His servants. Paul's urgent and precise journey reflects a commitment to stewardship of time and resources for the sake of the mission. It reminds us that every step of our lives, even those that appear ordinary, can be part of God's divine orchestration, guiding us to our appointed tasks and encounters.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "Psalm 37:23 - The Lord Establishes the Steps of a Good Man")
* [Romans 1:10](/romans/1-10 "Romans 1:10 - Paul's Desire to Visit Rome by God's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 20:15 offers a powerful reminder that our spiritual journeys, much like Paul's physical one, are often a series of deliberate, sequential steps. It encourages us to approach our lives with intentionality and purpose, understanding that even the seemingly small or uneventful stages are part of God's larger design. We are called to be diligent in our walk, valuing each "next day" as an opportunity to move forward in faith and obedience. This verse invites us to trust in God's guiding hand, recognizing that His providence extends to every detail of our lives, not just the grand moments. It challenges us to live with a sense of mission, pressing onward with the knowledge that God is orchestrating our path, even when it involves daily, unglamorous progress.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's intentionality in his journey challenge my own approach to daily life and spiritual growth?**
* **In what ways do I tend to overlook God's guidance in the "ordinary" or "mundane" details of my life?**
* **What "next steps" is God calling me to take, and how can I embrace them with the same diligence Paul demonstrated?**

### FAQ
**Why does Luke include such detailed travel information in Acts?**

Answer: Luke, as a meticulous historian and often an eyewitness to Paul's journeys (indicated by the "we" passages), includes such detailed travel information for several reasons. Firstly, it lends **historical authenticity and credibility** to his account. The specific names of islands and ports, along with the daily progression, provide verifiable details that ground the narrative in real-world geography and chronology. This precision assures readers of the factual basis of the events described. Secondly, it highlights the **rigor and extent of the early missionary efforts**. These journeys were physically demanding and logistically complex, underscoring the dedication of Paul and his companions. Lastly, these details often serve as **narrative transitions**, setting the stage for significant events, such as Paul's crucial meeting with the Ephesian elders in Miletus (Acts 20:17-38), or providing context for Paul's later trials and voyages (e.g., [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Voyage to Rome")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 20:15 is a historical travelogue, it finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan, which culminates in Jesus Christ and is advanced through the mission of His church. Paul's purposeful and urgent journey, navigating the seas to deliver the gospel and strengthen the churches, mirrors the ultimate mission of Christ Himself, who "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (cf. [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Just as Paul was meticulously guided by God to Miletus for a crucial meeting with the Ephesian elders, so too was Christ's entire earthly life a purposeful journey towards Jerusalem, where He would accomplish salvation (cf. [Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Towards Jerusalem")). The "next day" progression in Paul's voyage reflects the unfolding of God's eternal purposes in time, a divine itinerary that ultimately led to the cross and resurrection, and continues through the Spirit-empowered spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth (cf. [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). Paul's commitment to reaching his destination, despite the challenges, foreshadows the church's ongoing mission to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (cf. [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), a journey that continues until Christ's return.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Timothy 4:20

Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Acts 20:17

¶ And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.