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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Acts 20:13–16. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Paul is hastening towards Jerusalem, but strives to do all the good he can by the way, ōs en parodō̂ "as it were by the by." He had called at Troas, and done good there; and now he makes a sort of coasting voyage, the merchants would call it a trading voyage, going from place to place, and no doubt endeavouring to make every place he came to the better for him, as every good man should do.
I.He sent his companions by sea to Assos, but he himself was minded to go afoot, Act 20:13.
He had decreed or determined within himself that whatever importunity should be used with him to the contrary, urging either his ease or his credit, or the conveniency of a ship that offered itself, or the company of his friends, he would foot it to Assos: and, if the land-way which Paul took was the shorter way, yet it is taken notice of by the ancients as a rough way (Homer, Iliad 6, and Eustathius upon him, say, it was enough to kill one to go on foot to Assos. - Lorin. in locum); yet that way Paul would take,
1.That he might call on his friends by the way, and do good among them, either converting sinners or edifying saints; and in both he was serving his great Master, and carrying on his great work. Or,
2.That he might be alone, and might have the greater freedom of converse with God and his own heart in solitude. He loved his companions, and delighted in their company, yet he would show hereby that he did not need it, but could enjoy himself alone. Or,
3.That he might inure himself to hardship, and not seem to indulge his ease. Thus he would by voluntary instances of mortification and self-denial keep under the body, and bring it into subjection, that he might make his sufferings for Christ, when he was called out to them, the more easy, Ti2 2:3. We should use ourselves to deny ourselves.
II.At Assos he went on board with his friends.
There they took him in; for by this time he had enough of his walk, and was willing to betake himself to the other way of travelling; or perhaps he could not go any further by land, but was obliged to go by water. When Christ sent his disciples away by ship, and tarried behind himself, yet he came to them, and they took him in, Mar 6:45, Mar 6:51.
III.He made the best of his way to Jerusalem.
His ship passed by Chios (Act 20:15), touched at Samos (these are places of note among the Greek writers, both poets and historians); they tarried awhile at Trogyllium, the sea-port next to Samos; and the next day they came to Miletus, the sea-port that lay next to Ephesus; for (Act 20:16) he had determined not to go to Ephesus at this time, because he could not go thither without being urged by his friends whose importunity he could not resist, to make some stay with them there; and, because he was resolved not to stay, he would not put himself into a temptation to stay; for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of pentecost. He had been at Jerusalem about four or five years ago (Act 18:21, Act 18:22), and now he was going thither again to pay his continued respects to that church, with which he was careful to keep a good correspondence, that he might not be thought alienated from it by his commission to preach among the Gentiles. He aimed to be there by the feast of pentecost because it was a time of concourse, which would give him an opportunity of propagating the gospel among the Jews and proselytes, who came from all parts to worship at the feast: and the feast of pentecost had been particularly made famous among the Christians by the pouring out of the Spirit. Note, Men of business must fit themselves, and it will contribute to the expediting of it, to set time (with submission to Providence) and strive to keep it, contriving to do that first which we judge to be most needful, and not suffering ourselves to be diverted from it. It is a pleasure to us to be with our friends; it diverts us, nothing more; but we must not by it be diverted from our work. When Paul has a call to Jerusalem, he will not loiter away the time in Asia, though he had more and kinder friends there. This is not the world we are to be together in; we hope to be so in the other world.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
"And when he had joined us at Thasos, having taken him on board, we came to Mytilene; and having sailed thence on the morrow, we come over against Chios"-then they pass the island-"and on the next day we touched at Samos, and having stopped at Trogylium, on the following day we came to Miletus."
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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 (Philippians 3:14). 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
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.
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.
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.
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
FAQ
Why does Luke include such detailed travel information in Acts?
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).
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" (Mark 10:45). 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 (Luke 9:51). 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 (Acts 1:8). 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" (Matthew 28:19), a journey that continues until Christ's return.