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Acts 20:13

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¶ And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

And {G1161} we {G2249} went before {G4281} to {G1909} ship {G4143}, and sailed {G321} unto {G1519} Assos {G789}, there {G1564} intending {G3195} to take in {G353} Paul {G3972}: for {G1063} so {G3779} had he {G2258} appointed {G1299}, minding {G3195} himself {G846} to go afoot {G3978}.

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.

We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot.

But we, going before to the ship, set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.

Commentary

Acts 20:13 marks a brief but telling moment in the apostle Paul's third missionary journey, as he and his companions navigate their complex travel plans. The verse describes a temporary separation of Paul from his group as they depart from Troas.

Context

This verse is situated during Paul's return trip from Macedonia and Greece, as he makes his way back to Jerusalem, fully aware of the challenges that await him there. Having spent a significant time in Troas, where a memorable incident involving Eutychus falling from a window occurred, Paul’s companions board a ship for Assos. The "we" indicates Luke's presence, highlighting the narrative as an eyewitness account of these crucial journeys.

Key Themes

  • Paul's Travel Logistics and Determination: The verse illustrates the practicalities of ancient travel. Paul's decision to walk from Troas to Assos while his companions sailed suggests a deliberate choice. This might have been for solitude, prayer, or perhaps a more direct route over land that was shorter than the sea route around a peninsula. It underscores Paul's personal discipline and unwavering commitment to his mission.
  • Luke's Eyewitness Account: The consistent use of "we" passages throughout Acts, particularly in this section, affirms Luke's direct involvement and careful recording of events, lending credibility and detail to the narrative.
  • Strategic Planning: Even in their travels, there was coordination and planning, with Paul appointing the meeting point, demonstrating his leadership and foresight.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "minding himself to go afoot" simply means Paul's intention was to walk. There isn't a complex Greek term here, but the phrasing emphasizes his personal decision and preference for this leg of the journey, perhaps seeking a time of reflection before the arduous journey and trials ahead in Jerusalem, which he later speaks about in Acts 20:22-23.

Practical Application

Acts 20:13 reminds us that even great spiritual leaders faced logistical challenges and made practical decisions in their ministry. Paul's choice to walk might inspire us to consider moments of quiet reflection or purposeful solitude in our own lives, even amidst busy schedules. It also highlights the importance of teamwork and coordination, as Paul's companions continued by ship, meeting him at the appointed place. Our journey of faith often involves both individual paths and collective efforts, all working towards a common purpose.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 6:46 (2 votes)

    And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

  • Mark 1:35 (2 votes)

    And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

  • Mark 6:31 (2 votes)

    And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

  • Mark 6:33 (2 votes)

    And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.