TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
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
Three Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Wherefore does the writer say where they came, and where they went to? To show in the first place that he was making the voyage more leisurely-and this upon human grounds-and sailing past some: also for the same reason he tells where he made a stay, and what parts he sailed past; namely, "that he might not have to spend the time in Asia." Since had he come there, he could not have sailed by; he did not like to pain those who would have begged him to remain. "For he hasted," it says, "if it were possible for him to keep the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem:" and this was not possible if he stayed.
"For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem the day of Pentecost." Why this haste? Not for the sake of the feast, but of the multitude. At the same time, by this he conciliated the Jews, as being one that did honor the feasts, wishing to gain even his adversaries: at the same time also he delivers the word. Accordingly, see what great gain accrued, from all being present.
But that the interests of the people of Ephesus might not be neglected on that account, he managed for this in a different way.
Observe, how he is also moved like other men. For therefore it is that all this is done, that we may not fancy that he was above human nature: therefore you see him desiring something, and hasting, and in many instances not obtaining his object: for those great and holy men were partakers of the same nature with us; it was in the will and purpose that they differed, and so it was that also they attracted upon themselves the great grace they did.
For he was hastening if it were possible to be present at the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Indeed, it was commanded by the law that all Jews should gather in Jerusalem three times a year, that is, at the time of Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, but the Apostle, breaking the ties of the world, hastens to observe the fiftieth day, that is, the day of remission and the Holy Spirit.
For he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to observe the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. In Greek, it is written as the Day of Pentecost, that is, the fiftieth day. Therefore note that the time of Passover and Pentecost were also celebrated at the time of the apostles. But whether they were celebrated among the Jews who adhered to the law on the day the lamb was sacrificed in Egypt and the day the law was given on Mount Sinai, or on the day of the Lord's resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, let those who know say. Nonetheless, it is known that the apostle Peter celebrated Passover in Rome on the Lord's Day of the resurrection of Christ; it is known that the evangelist Mark, sent by him, taught this in Egypt.
Continue studying Acts 20:16 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Acts 20:16 reveals the Apostle Paul's strategic and purposeful travel itinerary during his third missionary journey. As he sailed from Greece towards Jerusalem, Paul made a deliberate decision to bypass a direct visit to Ephesus, a city where he had previously invested significant time and established a thriving church. His haste was driven by a fervent desire to reach Jerusalem in time for the Day of Pentecost, a pivotal Jewish festival with profound significance for the early Christian community, underscoring his disciplined approach to ministry and his commitment to divine timing.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated within the narrative of Paul's final return journey to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary expedition. Immediately preceding this, Paul had been ministering in Macedonia and Greece, having spent three months in Greece (likely Corinth) before setting sail (Acts 20:1-3). He had planned to sail directly to Syria, but a plot against him by the Jews led him to re-route through Macedonia (Acts 20:3). He is now sailing from Troas, having raised Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:7-12), and is making his way along the coast of Asia Minor. His decision to bypass Ephesus is significant because it leads directly to the poignant farewell meeting with the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:17-38), a powerful discourse that encapsulates Paul's pastoral heart and prophetic foresight regarding future challenges to the church. The urgency expressed in this verse sets the tone for the subsequent warnings Paul receives about the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem, culminating in his resolute determination to proceed (Acts 21:4, 10-14).
Historical & Cultural Context
Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and a major economic, cultural, and religious center in the ancient world. It was home to the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and a hotbed of pagan worship and magical practices. Paul had spent an unprecedented amount of time in Ephesus, approximately three years (Acts 20:31), establishing a robust Christian community and profoundly impacting the region (Acts 19:10, 26). His ministry there had even caused a significant economic disturbance among the idol makers (Acts 19:23-41). The Day of Pentecost (Shavuot in Hebrew) was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals for Jews, commemorating the giving of the Law at Sinai and the harvest of the first fruits. For early Christians, it also held immense theological significance as the day the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples in Jerusalem, marking the birth of the Church Acts 2:1-4. Paul's desire to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost was likely multifaceted: to participate in the festival, to find opportunities for evangelism, to fellowship with the mother church, and crucially, to deliver the collection he had gathered from the Gentile churches for the poor saints in Jerusalem Romans 15:25-26.
Key Themes
This verse highlights several prominent themes in the book of Acts and Paul's ministry. Firstly, it underscores Paul's Urgency and Purposeful Mission. His "haste" and "determination" reveal a man driven by a clear sense of divine calling and an acute awareness of time's value in the spread of the Gospel. Secondly, it exemplifies Strategic Travel and Time Management in ministry. Paul's decision to bypass Ephesus was not out of disinterest but a calculated move to optimize his travel schedule, demonstrating a practical wisdom in balancing pastoral care with overarching missionary objectives. This strategic foresight allowed him to still meet with the Ephesian elders at Miletus, a nearby port, thus saving time without neglecting his spiritual responsibilities Acts 20:17. Finally, the verse emphasizes the Significance of Jerusalem and Jewish Festivals for the early church. Despite his primary mission to the Gentiles, Paul maintained a deep connection to Jerusalem and recognized the spiritual opportunities presented by the major festivals, seeing them as opportune times for gospel proclamation and fellowship among believers. His unwavering resolve to reach Jerusalem, even in the face of warnings, is a recurring motif in the latter part of Acts Acts 21:4 and Acts 21:11-14.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish." In this context, it signifies a firm, deliberate, and settled decision made by Paul. It is not a casual preference but a resolved course of action, indicating his intentionality and authority in planning his missionary movements.
Meaning "to 'speed' ('study'), i.e. urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication, to await eagerly." This word conveys more than mere physical speed; it implies an earnest desire, a pressing forward with diligence, and an eager anticipation of reaching his destination. Paul's haste is rooted in purpose and a sense of urgency regarding his mission.
Meaning "to cause to be ('gen'-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)." Here, it emphasizes the literal coming into existence or presence at a specific place and time. Paul's determined haste was so that he might "come into being" or "be present" at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, highlighting the concrete nature of his objective.
Verse Breakdown
"For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus"
This clause reveals Paul's strategic decision-making. The conjunction "For" (G1063, gar) introduces the reason for his specific travel route. "Determined" (G2919, krínō) indicates a firm, settled resolution. Paul consciously chose a route that would bypass a direct, time-consuming stop at Ephesus, a city where he had previously spent a significant amount of time and had deep connections. This decision reflects his intentionality in managing his itinerary.
"because he would not spend the time in Asia"
This explains the immediate rationale behind bypassing Ephesus. Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Paul understood that a visit to such an important and familiar hub, where he had many converts and strong relationships, would inevitably lead to extended ministry, fellowship, and addressing local issues, consuming valuable time. His priority was not to avoid the Ephesian church but to avoid the inevitable delays a full visit would entail, indicating a clear focus on his ultimate destination and timeline.
"for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost"
This final clause provides the ultimate reason for Paul's expedited travel. The repetition of "for" (G1063, gar) reinforces the causal link. "Hasted" (G4692, speúdō) conveys not just physical speed but an earnest, eager desire. His goal was to arrive in Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost (G4005, pentēkostḗ), a significant Jewish festival. The phrase "if it were possible for him" (G1487 ei + G2258 ēn + G1415 dynatós) acknowledges the logistical challenges and uncertainties of ancient travel, yet underscores his strong aspiration and diligent effort to achieve this specific timing.
Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this concise verse to convey Paul's character and the narrative's progression. The use of Foreshadowing is evident; Paul's resolute determination and haste to reach Jerusalem, despite the implied difficulties of travel, subtly foreshadow his later unwavering resolve to go to Jerusalem even when explicitly warned of imprisonment and suffering (Acts 21:4, 11-14). This highlights Paul's consistent commitment to his divine calling. Luke's inclusion of such specific travel details also serves as Narrative Detail, lending authenticity and realism to the account of Paul's missionary journeys. It portrays Paul not merely as a spiritual leader but as a meticulous strategist, carefully planning his movements. Furthermore, the repeated use of the conjunction "for" (G1063, gar) functions as a device of Emphasis, clearly articulating the causal chain of Paul's decisions: he bypassed Ephesus because he didn't want to spend time in Asia, for he was eager to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost. This structure underscores the logical and purposeful nature of Paul's actions.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Paul's strategic decision-making and urgent pursuit of his Pentecost deadline in Jerusalem reveal a profound theological understanding of divine timing and purpose in ministry. His actions demonstrate that effective service for God often requires careful planning, prioritization, and a willingness to make difficult choices for the sake of the greater mission. This verse highlights the tension between deep personal relationships (like those in Ephesus) and the overarching demands of a God-given calling, showing that while relationships are vital, they must sometimes be managed strategically to fulfill broader objectives. Paul's commitment to reaching Jerusalem for Pentecost also underscores the continuity between God's work in Israel and the burgeoning Christian movement, acknowledging the significance of Jewish feasts even as the church expanded into the Gentile world.
Reflection and Application
Acts 20:16 offers a powerful example of focused, strategic, and Spirit-led ministry. Paul's decision to bypass Ephesus, despite his deep affection for the church there, was not a sign of neglect but of disciplined prioritization. He understood that every moment was precious in the service of the Gospel, and he was willing to make difficult choices to fulfill his overarching mission. This challenges believers today to examine their own lives: Are we living with a similar sense of urgency and purpose in our spiritual endeavors? Do we strategically manage our time and resources to maximize our impact for God's kingdom, or do we allow distractions and comfortable routines to derail our most important callings? Paul's example reminds us that true dedication often requires intentionality, foresight, and a willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of a higher goal. It encourages us to prayerfully discern our God-given priorities and to pursue them with focused determination, trusting that God will provide opportunities for both broad impact and specific, personal connections, as he did for Paul with the Ephesian elders in Miletus.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Paul so determined to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost?
Paul's determination to reach Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost (G4005, pentēkostḗ) was likely driven by several factors. Firstly, Pentecost was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals for Jews, drawing large crowds to Jerusalem. This presented a significant opportunity for evangelism and for proclaiming the Gospel to a diverse audience, including many devout Jews from various nations Acts 2:5-11. Secondly, Paul was carrying a collection of financial aid from the Gentile churches for the poor saints in Jerusalem Romans 15:25-26, and delivering this gift during a major festival would underscore the unity between Jewish and Gentile believers. Thirdly, Paul, as a devout Jew who had become the Apostle to the Gentiles, maintained a deep connection to Jerusalem and the mother church. Being present for such a significant festival would allow him to fellowship with the apostles and leaders there, strengthening bonds and reporting on his missionary endeavors. Finally, the Day of Pentecost held profound spiritual significance for Christians as the anniversary of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4, making it a particularly meaningful time for believers to gather.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Paul's resolute determination to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, strategically bypassing distractions and pressing forward with urgency, powerfully echoes the purposeful journey of Christ Himself. Just as Paul "hasted" towards a divinely appointed destination and timing, so too did Jesus set His face "steadfastly to go to Jerusalem" Luke 9:51, knowing full well the suffering and death that awaited Him there, yet unwavering in His commitment to fulfill His Father's will. Paul's mission to Jerusalem, culminating in his eventual imprisonment and journey to Rome, reflects the broader narrative of the Gospel's unstoppable advance, initiated by Christ's redemptive work. The very goal of Paul's haste—to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost—points directly to the fulfillment of Christ's promise of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:8, an event that empowered the Church to carry the Gospel "to the end of the earth." Thus, Paul's journey is not merely a logistical detail but a microcosm of the Christ-centered mission: a determined pursuit of God's timing and purpose, empowered by the Spirit, to extend the saving work of the Lamb of God to all nations John 1:29.