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

Acts 20:13 details a specific logistical arrangement during Paul's final journey to Jerusalem. Paul's companions, including Luke, traveled by ship from Troas to Assos, a port city in Mysia. Meanwhile, Paul himself chose to travel the shorter, more direct land route to Assos, planning to meet his companions there and continue the sea journey together. This strategic decision highlights a practical aspect of early apostolic ministry and Paul's personal choice in travel.

Acts 20 13 Context

Acts chapter 20 describes Paul's journey back to Jerusalem, specifically his farewell tour through Macedonia and Greece before heading back through Asia Minor. The events leading up to verse 13 include Paul's three-month stay in Greece, a plot against him by the Jews which prompted him to change his travel plans from sailing directly to Syria to returning via Macedonia (Acts 20:3). He is joined by several companions (Acts 20:4-5), who sailed ahead to Troas, where Paul eventually joined them after celebrating Passover in Philippi. In Troas, Paul engaged in extensive teaching, culminating in the miraculous resurrection of Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12). This intense period, marked by spiritual labor and a miracle, immediately precedes Paul's decision to walk to Assos. Historically, Troas was an important port city in Asia Minor, while Assos was another significant coastal city about 30 miles south. The sea route between Troas and Assos involved sailing around a large peninsula, making it significantly longer and potentially more time-consuming due to prevailing winds compared to the direct land route.

Acts 20 13 Word analysis

• But we (ἡμεῖς δέ)
  • "we" (ἡμεῖς, hemeis): This signifies Luke's presence with Paul and the other companions listed in Acts 20:4. Luke consistently uses "we" passages in Acts to indicate when he joined Paul's travels. His rejoining confirms him as a reliable eyewitness narrator of these events.
• going ahead (προελθόντες, proelthontes)
  • Meaning: "having gone forward," "proceeded." It implies the companions departed earlier or took the ship first, pre-empting Paul's arrival. This highlights their coordination.
  • Significance: It shows Paul's delegated leadership, where he allowed his team to handle a portion of the journey ahead of him while he took a different path for a specific reason.
• to the ship (ἐπὶ τὸ πλοῖον, epi to ploion)
  • Meaning: Indicating the mode of transport and the direction of their immediate movement.
• set sail (ἀνήχθημεν, anēchthēmen)
  • Meaning: "we sailed away." Past tense, active voice.
  • Significance: Marks the actual nautical departure of the companions.
• for Assos (εἰς Ἄσσον, eis Assos)
  • Assos (Ἄσσος): A significant ancient city and port on the coast of Mysia in Asia Minor, south of Troas. Its location made it a convenient meeting point after the land and sea routes converged.
  • Significance: Establishes the immediate destination for Paul's companions.
• intending (μέλλοντες, mellontes)
  • Meaning: "about to," "intending to," "on the point of."
  • Significance: This participle conveys purpose and planned action for their sea journey.
• to take Paul on board (ἀναλαμβάνειν τὸν Παῦλον, analambanein ton Paulon)
  • Meaning: "to take up Paul," "to receive Paul."
  • Significance: Clearly states the primary objective of their trip to Assos: to rendezvous with Paul. This pre-planned reunion is key.
• there (ἐκεῖ, ekei)
  • Meaning: At Assos.
• for so (οὕτω γὰρ, houtō gar)
  • Meaning: "for thus," "for in this way." The conjunction "γὰρ" (gar) explains the reason for their action.
• he had arranged (διατεταγμένος ἦν, diatetagmenos ēn)
  • Meaning: "he had appointed," "he had commanded," "he had ordered." This is a perfect participle, indicating a completed action with continuing results—a prior fixed arrangement.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that Paul's choice to travel separately was not impulsive but a deliberate, well-considered decision, possibly conveyed as an instruction to his companions.
• intending himself (αὐτὸς ἔμελλεν, autos emellen)
  • Meaning: "he himself was about to," "he himself intended." Reaffirms Paul's personal and deliberate intention for this specific part of the journey.
• to go by land (πεζῇ, pezē)
  • Meaning: "on foot," "by land." Refers to walking.
  • Significance: This is the crux of Paul's personal choice. Possible reasons for Paul's decision include: (1) The land journey was significantly shorter than the sea route between Troas and Assos, which necessitated sailing around a promontory. (2) A desire for solitude, reflection, prayer after the intense spiritual work in Troas. (3) Opportunity for evangelism to those on the road or in smaller settlements not accessible by ship. (4) His strong physical constitution and preference for direct movement, reminiscent of an athlete running a race.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos": This group highlights the action of Paul's companions, a logistical maneuver undertaken in coordination. It sets up the contrast with Paul's personal travel method.
• "intending to take Paul on board there": This phrase clarifies the purpose of the companions' sea journey – a planned meet-up with Paul at Assos. It emphasizes the collective effort in their ministry travel.
• "for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land": This entire phrase provides the justification and the specifics of Paul's plan. It shows Paul's foresight, deliberate decision-making, and his willingness to take the physically more demanding route (walking) while sending his companions by the comparatively easier or perhaps quicker (for their leg) sea route. This decision showcases Paul's personal characteristics and commitment to efficiency or private devotion.

Acts 20 13 Bonus section

• Paul's Resilience: This seemingly mundane travel detail quietly demonstrates Paul's robust physical stamina and dedication to his mission. To choose walking after an intense teaching session and a resurrection event in Troas (Acts 20:7-12) shows a remarkable level of physical and spiritual endurance, embodying his own words in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 about being "in journeys often."
• Practicality of Travel: The specific geography around Troas and Assos made Paul's decision highly practical. Ships had to navigate around Cape Lectum, making the sea journey considerably longer. By taking the direct road, Paul could likely reach Assos around the same time or even before his companions, ensuring a seamless reunion. This highlights an ancient travel principle: often, the land route for an individual can be faster than a circuitous sea journey for a ship.
• A "We" Passage Indicator: The phrase "But we" is a significant literary marker in Acts, indicating Luke the physician, the author, has rejoined Paul's traveling party, reinforcing the eyewitness nature of these events.
• Microcosm of Paul's Leadership: Paul's decision shows a balanced approach to leadership—delegating the ship travel to his companions while taking a separate, perhaps more physically demanding, path himself for a specific purpose. It speaks to his individual initiatives within a collective ministry framework.

Acts 20 13 Commentary

Acts 20:13 offers a small, practical window into Paul's life and the dynamics of his missionary team. It’s not about doctrine or dramatic miracles, but about the strategic, human side of apostolic ministry. Paul, known for his relentless travel and physical endurance, deliberately chose to walk roughly 30 miles from Troas to Assos. This decision was a pre-arranged plan with his companions, who would sail the longer sea route. Paul's choice likely stemmed from a combination of factors: the land route being much shorter and quicker for him personally, especially if the winds were unfavorable for the ship; a desire for solitary prayer and reflection after the exhausting and emotionally charged events in Troas, including the Eutychus incident; or simply to continue ministering to individuals along the road. This small act underlines Paul's self-discipline, his focus, and his ability to make wise logistical decisions in pursuit of his mission, valuing either efficiency, personal spiritual refreshment, or extended ministry opportunities above personal comfort. It is a subtle illustration of how physical choices in a minister's life can be integral to their spiritual work.