Acts 20 13

Acts 20:13 kjv

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.

Acts 20:13 nkjv

Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.

Acts 20:13 niv

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

Acts 20:13 esv

But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.

Acts 20:13 nlt

Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 13 Meaning

This verse describes the journey of Paul and his companions as they sailed from Troas to Assos. Luke, the author, highlights the specific modes of travel, noting that Paul chose to go by foot while the others proceeded by sea.

Acts 20 13 Context

This verse is part of Luke's travel narrative in the Book of Acts, detailing Paul's journey toward Jerusalem. Following the events in Troas, where Paul's preaching led to a miraculous revival with Eutychus, the group prepares to continue their voyage. The immediate context is the anticipation of their departure and the logistical arrangements made for travel. The broader context involves Paul's final missionary journey, his deep concern for the churches, and the growing opposition he faced as he moved toward Jerusalem, knowing the suffering that awaited him there.

Acts 20 13 Word Analysis

• ἦν (ēn): "was". Third-person singular imperfect active indicative of εἰμί (eimi), "to be". Indicates a continuous state or existence in the past.
• δὲ (de): "but", "and". A conjunction often used to introduce a contrast or a continuation. Here, it marks a slight shift in focus to Paul's personal decision.
• τοῦ (tou): "of". Genitive definite article, used here with the infinitive as a noun phrase.
• Παύλου (Pabllou): "Paul's". Genitive case of Παῦλος (Paulos), the apostle's name.
• συμπλοίαρχους (symploichous): "companions for the voyage". Accusative plural of συμπλοίαρχος (symploicharchos), a compound word from σύν (syn - with) and πλοῖαρχος (ploiarechos - shipmaster, captain), referring to those traveling with him on the ship.
• διελθεῖν (dieithyin): "to go through", "to pass through". Aorist infinitive active of διέρχομαι (dierchomai), indicating a completed action in the future.
• τὸ (to): "the". Accusative neuter singular definite article.
• πλοῖον (ploin): "ship", "boat". Accusative singular neuter of πλοῖον (plioion), a vessel for sailing.
• τὸ (to): "the". Accusative neuter singular definite article.
• δαιὸς (daibos): "by boat", "by sailing". An adverb or prepositional phrase, indicating the mode of transport. In this context, it is understood as "by ship".
• ἡτοιμάσθη (hetoimasthe): "was made ready", "was prepared". Third-person singular aorist passive indicative of ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazo), meaning to make ready or prepare.
• δὲ (de): "but". Introduces the contrasting action.
• αὐτὸς (autot): "he", "himself". Nominative singular masculine pronoun, referring back to Paul.
• τῆς (tes): "the". Genitive feminine singular definite article.
• χερρὸς (cherrt): "land", "shore". Genitive singular feminine of χέρρος (cherros), indicating travel on foot.
• πορεύεσθαι (poreuyshtai): "to go", "to travel". Present infinitive passive/middle of πορεύω (poreuo), indicating an ongoing action of going.

Words Group Analysis:

• "Paul’s companions for the voyage... by boat": This phrase indicates that the majority of Paul's fellow travelers embarked on the ship, implying a shared mode of transport arranged for them.
• "but he himself decided to go by land": This highlights Paul's deliberate choice to travel on foot, separating himself from the group on the ship.

Acts 20 13 Bonus Section

Paul's practice of walking and traveling by land alongside sea voyages was not uncommon for him. Such journeys allowed for personal evangelism and deeper engagement with local populations, demonstrating his relentless pursuit of sharing the Gospel. This incident also subtly emphasizes the companionship and collaboration within Paul's ministry team, as mentioned in other epistles where Luke and Timothy are consistently noted as his close associates in ministry and travel. The precise reasons for Paul's solitary walk remain speculative, but it reveals a layer of personal strategy and commitment to his arduous mission.

Acts 20 13 Commentary

This verse presents a subtle but significant detail about Paul's journey. While his companions boarded a ship to proceed from Troas to Assos, Paul chose to travel by land, on foot. This decision may have stemmed from several factors: a desire for more direct interaction with communities along the route, a need for personal reflection and prayer, or perhaps even a pastoral concern to minister to people on shore as they sailed. Assos was a port town located southwest of Troas, and walking the approximately 20-mile distance would have offered Paul ample opportunity for ministry and private communion with God. This choice reflects Paul's dedication to his mission, his adaptability, and his personal commitment to engaging with the people wherever he went. It underscores the intentionality behind his movements, always seeking to advance the Gospel.