Acts 20 14

Acts 20:14 kjv

And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

Acts 20:14 nkjv

And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.

Acts 20:14 niv

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

Acts 20:14 esv

And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.

Acts 20:14 nlt

He joined us there, and we sailed together to Mitylene.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 14 Meaning

Paul, in his journey, picked up Silas and Timothy and, upon reaching his destination, set sail for Asia, with the intention of passing by Ephesus. This particular part of the journey involved a decision regarding a stop or a bypass of Ephesus. The wording suggests a deliberate movement across from one side to another, implying a significant passage or traversal of the Aegean Sea towards Asia.

Acts 20 14 Context

This verse is situated within Paul's third missionary journey. Following a significant period of ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19), Paul was making his way back towards Jerusalem, intending to be there for Pentecost. He had already planned to travel through Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 20:2) after leaving Ephesus. However, unforeseen circumstances and a divine imperative led him to alter his route, necessitating a swift passage across the sea towards the region of Macedonia. The decision to bypass Ephesus directly, rather than stop and minister further, was driven by a sense of urgency related to his overall mission to reach Jerusalem.

Acts 20 14 Word Analysis

• Ὡς (Hōs) - As, like, when, while, that. In this context, it signifies "when" or "as" a condition or the accompanying circumstance of their action.

• δὲ (De) - But, and. A conjunction indicating a transition, continuation, or contrast. Here, it links this part of the journey with the previous movement.

• ἡμεῖς (Hēmeis) - We. Refers to Paul and his companions, specifically those with him at that moment.

• εἰσεπλεύσαμεν (Eiseplēusamen) - We sailed in, we entered by ship. The aorist indicative active, 1st person plural of εἰσπλέω (eispleō). Denotes entering a port or harbor by sea.

• τὴν (Tēn) - The. Definite article.

• ᾿Ασίαν (Asian) - Asia. Refers to the Roman province of Asia Minor.

• ὡς (Hōs) - As, so that. Here it indicates purpose or a consequence: "so that."

• βουλομένων (Boulomenōn) - Willing, desiring. The present participle, genitive plural, of βούλομαι (boulomai), meaning "to wish, to will, to desire."

• ἡμῶν (Hēmōn) - Our. Possessive pronoun, genitive plural.

• ἐν (En) - In, among.

• ᾿Εφέσῳ (Ephesō) - Ephesus. Locative case, denoting the place of their previous actions or current situation.

• διατρίβειν (Diatribein) - To spend time, to delay, to tarry. The present infinitive of διατρίβω (diatribō). It means to remain for a significant period.

• ἐμελλόμεν (Emellomen) - We were intending, we were about. The imperfect indicative active, 1st person plural of μέλλω (mellō), often used to express future intention or being about to do something.

• τοῦ (Tou) - Of the. Genitive article.

• μὴ (Mē) - Not. Negation.

• καταμεῖναι (Katameinai) - To remain, to stay. The aorist infinitive of καταμένω (katamenō), to remain behind or stay put.

• Phrase/Group Analysis: "Ὡς δὲ ἡμεῖς εἰσεπλεύσαμεν τὴν ᾿Ασίαν" - "And when we had put in at Asia." The plural "we" signifies more than just Paul, reflecting his travel companions. The action "put in at" suggests arriving by sea at the coastal region of Asia Minor, not necessarily docking at a specific port yet.

• Phrase/Group Analysis: "ὡς βουλομένων ἡμῶν ἐν ᾿Εφέσῳ διατρίβειν" - "intending to spend time in Ephesus." This clause clarifies the original desire of the group. They wanted to spend time in Ephesus, indicating a significant stop.

• Phrase/Group Analysis: "ἐμελλόμεν τοῦ μὴ καταμεῖναι" - "we decided against staying." The construction uses a negative infinitive with a verb of intention, implying a conscious decision to bypass Ephesus.

Acts 20 14 Bonus Section

This verse is crucial for understanding the itinerary of Paul's final journey to Jerusalem. It explicitly states that they intended to spend time in Ephesus, showing that their movement was a deviation from an original plan. This detail emphasizes Paul's spiritual discernment and responsiveness to the timing and leading of the Holy Spirit, prioritizing reaching Jerusalem at the appointed time over extending his stay in a familiar and productive ministry location. The Greek verb "δείσμ loosing" (diatribein), used for "spend time," suggests a more than a brief visit; it implies a substantial period of ministry, which was foregone in favor of obedience to the divine imperative to move onward.

Acts 20 14 Commentary

Paul and his company arrived at the Asian coast by sea. Their original intention was to stop and spend considerable time ministering in Ephesus, a thriving metropolis where Paul had previously had a fruitful ministry. However, Luke, the author of Acts, explains that they decided against staying in Ephesus at this time. This decision was not due to lack of interest or opportunity but a specific choice to move on. The reason for not staying, as explained in the preceding verse (Acts 20:16), was Paul's urgency to reach Jerusalem for Pentecost, likely driven by a desire to observe the Feast and possibly to be present for a significant event or to fulfill a specific mission there. The Holy Spirit's guidance also played a crucial role in directing their movements throughout this journey (Acts 16:6; 20:22). This incident highlights the interplay between human plans, divine guidance, and the practicalities of long-distance travel in the ancient world.