Acts20

After the uproar in Ephesus, Paul traveled through Macedonia and Greece, exhorting the disciples. At Troas, he miraculously restored Eutychus to life after the young man fell from a window during Paul's lengthy sermon. Paul then journeyed to Miletus, where he delivered a poignant farewell address to the Ephesian elders, reflecting on his ministry, warning of future dangers, and preparing for his journey to Jerusalem.

Paul Travels to Macedonia and Greece

After the furor died down, Sha’ul sent for the talmidim and encouraged them, then took his leave and set out on his way to Macedonia.

He went through that area, and, after saying much to encourage them, passed on to Greece,

where he spent three months. As he was preparing to set sail for Syria, he discovered a plot against him by the unbelieving Jews; so he changed his mind and decided to return by way of Macedonia.

Sopater from Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; as did Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

These men went on and waited for us in Troas,

while we sailed from Philippi after the Days of Matzah. Five days later, we met them in Troas, where we spent a week.

Eutychus Restored to Life at Troas

On Motza’ei-Shabbat, when we were gathered to break bread, Sha’ul addressed them. Since he was going to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight.

Now there were many oil lamps burning in the upstairs room where we were meeting,

and there was a young fellow named Eutychus sitting on the window-sill. As Sha’ul’s drash went on and on, Eutychus grew sleepier and sleepier; until finally he went sound asleep and fell from the third story to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead.

But Sha’ul went down, threw himself onto him, put his arms around him and said, “Don’t be upset, he’s alive!”

Then he went back upstairs, broke the bread and ate. He continued talking with them till daylight, then left.

So, greatly relieved, they brought the boy home alive.

Journey to Miletus

We went on ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, where we were planning to take Sha’ul aboard — he had arranged this because he wanted to go there by land.

After he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.

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.

For Sha’ul had decided to bypass Ephesus on his voyage, in order to avoid losing time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to get to Yerushalayim, if possible in time to celebrate Shavu‘ot.

Paul’s Farewell Address to Ephesian Elders

But he did send from Miletus to Ephesus, summoning the elders of the Messianic community.

When they arrived, he said to them, “You yourselves know how, from the first day I set foot in the province of Asia, I was with you the whole time,

serving the Lord with much humility and with tears, in spite of the tests I had to undergo because of the plots of the unbelieving Jews.

You know that I held back nothing that could be helpful to you, and that I taught you both in public and from house to house,

declaring with utmost seriousness the same message to Jews and Greeks alike: turn from sin to God; and put your trust in our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah.

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Yerushalayim. I don’t know what will happen to me there,

other than that in every city the Ruach HaKodesh keeps warning me that imprisonment and persecution await me.

But I consider my own life of no importance to me whatsoever, as long as I can finish the course ahead of me, the task I received from the Lord Yeshua — to declare in depth the Good News of God’s love and kindness.

“Now, listen! I know that none of you people among whom I have gone about proclaiming the Kingdom will ever see me again.

Therefore, I testify on this day that I am innocent of the blood of all.

For I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the whole plan of God.

Warning Against False Teachers

“Watch out for yourselves, and for all the flock in which the Ruach HaKodesh has placed you as leaders, to shepherd God’s Messianic community, which he won for himself at the cost of his own Son’s blood.

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you; and they won’t spare the flock.

Even from among your own number, men will arise and teach perversions of the truth, in order to drag away the talmidim after themselves.

So stay alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, with tears in my eyes, I never stopped warning you!

Final Exhortation and Farewell

“And now I entrust you to the care of the Lord and to the message of his love and kindness, for it can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been set apart for God.

“I have not wanted for myself anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided not only for my own needs, but for the needs of my co-workers as well.

In everything I have given you an example of how, by working hard like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua himself, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”

When he had finished speaking, Sha’ul kneeled down with them all and prayed.

They were all in tears as they threw their arms around his neck and kissed him farewell.

What saddened them the most was his remark that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Study Notes for Acts 20

Verse 3

Paul's planned sea route to Syria was abandoned due to a Jewish plot against his life, forcing him to take the longer land route back through Macedonia. This highlights the constant danger he faced.

Verse 4

The list of companions represents delegates from various churches (likely carrying collection money for Jerusalem), emphasizing the unity and breadth of Paul's ministry.

Verse 5

The use of 'us' indicates the resumption of the 'We-sections,' showing that Luke (the author) had rejoined Paul’s company, likely at Philippi.

Verse 6

The 'days of unleavened bread' (Passover week) marks the timing of their departure. They spent seven days in Troas, allowing time for fellowship and instruction.

Verse 7

This verse provides important evidence for the early church practice of gathering on 'the first day of the week' (Sunday) for fellowship and the Eucharist ('to break bread').

Verse 9

The detail about the young man falling from the 'third loft' (three stories high) emphasizes the gravity of the accident, confirming his death.

Verse 10

Paul’s action of falling upon the body is reminiscent of the prophets Elijah (1 Kings 17:21) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:34), demonstrating God's power working through him.

Verse 11

The breaking of bread here likely refers to both the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist) and a communal meal (agape feast), concluding the all-night meeting.

Verse 13

Paul chose to travel afoot from Troas to Assos (about 20 miles), perhaps for quiet reflection, prayer, or private conversation with his companions before the emotional journey toward Jerusalem.

Verse 16

Paul bypassed Ephesus, the center of his recent ministry, because he was rushing to reach Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Pentecost, viewing it as an opportune time for ministry.

Verse 17

Paul summons the elders (presbyteroi) from Ephesus to Miletus. This address is unique in Acts, functioning as Paul’s pastoral and theological testament.

Verse 19

Paul emphasizes that his ministry was marked by humility, suffering ('tears and temptations'), and opposition, setting an example for the leaders.

Verse 20

Paul’s comprehensive teaching method included public sermons and private discipleship ('from house to house'), ensuring no truth was withheld.

Verse 21

The core content of Paul's gospel is summarized here: the call for 'repentance toward God' (a change of mind and direction) and 'faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.'

Verse 22

'Bound in the spirit' suggests Paul felt an inner, divinely-compelled obligation to go to Jerusalem, even though he knew danger awaited him.

Verse 24

This is a foundational statement of Paul's dedication. His goal was not self-preservation, but the completion of the ministry received from Christ—testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Verse 25

Paul’s conviction that this was his final meeting with them lends a profound solemnity and urgency to his subsequent warnings and instructions.

Verse 26

Paul uses language reminiscent of the prophetic watchman (Ezek. 33:1-9) to assert his innocence, having faithfully discharged his duty to instruct them completely.

Verse 27

'All the counsel of God' (the whole purpose or plan of God) indicates the comprehensive nature of his teaching, encompassing the full scope of Christian truth, not just selective doctrines.

Verse 28

This verse contains a crucial charge to the elders (overseers/bishops), emphasizing their divine appointment by the Holy Spirit to shepherd the church. The phrase 'church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood' is a powerful Christological statement.

Verse 29

The 'grievous wolves' represent external threats—false teachers or heretics who will infiltrate the church after Paul leaves, seeking to destroy the community.

Verse 30

Paul warns that danger will also arise internally, as leaders from within the community will deviate from the truth ('speaking perverse things') to gain a following.

Verse 32

Paul commends the elders to God and 'the word of his grace,' recognizing that ultimate strength, preservation, and spiritual inheritance come from divine power and Scripture.

Verse 34

Paul’s self-sufficiency through manual labor ('these hands') was a hallmark of his ministry, ensuring he was not a financial burden and modeling diligent work.

Verse 35

This verse quotes a saying of Jesus not recorded in the Gospels, confirming the existence of oral traditions about Jesus' teachings preserved by the early church.

Verse 36

Paul concludes the address with a deeply personal act of corporate prayer, kneeling down with the leaders, symbolizing humility and reliance on God.

Verse 38

The profound sorrow reflects the genuine love and bond between Paul and the Ephesian leaders, especially due to his prediction of never seeing them again (v. 25).

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Acts20

Paul Travels to Macedonia and Greece

Eutychus Restored to Life at Troas

Journey to Miletus

Paul’s Farewell Address to Ephesian Elders

Warning Against False Teachers

Final Exhortation and Farewell

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