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

Acts 20:14 describes a specific point in Paul's journey back to Jerusalem. It details the precise moment when Paul, having walked overland from Troas to Assos, reunited with his traveling companions who had sailed directly. Upon his arrival in Assos, they collectively boarded the ship, continuing their voyage together to Mitylene, a significant port on the island of Lesbos. The verse highlights Paul's purposeful and sometimes unconventional travel methods, alongside the consistent teamwork of his ministry associates.

Acts 20 14 Context

Acts 20:14 is embedded in the narrative of Paul's third missionary journey, specifically its concluding stages as he endeavors to return to Jerusalem for Pentecost. The preceding verse (Acts 20:13) sets the scene: Paul sent his companions ahead by ship from Troas to Assos, while he chose to travel the twenty-mile (approximately 32 km) overland route on foot. This particular decision highlights Paul's distinctive methods, possibly allowing him solitude for prayer, reflection, or to meet specific individuals along the way before rejoining the main group. The context of Acts 20 includes Paul's extended ministry in Troas, the miraculous raising of Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12), and his imminent farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Miletus (Acts 20:17-38), underscoring the high stakes and deep emotional tenor of this final segment of his journey before his impending arrest in Jerusalem.

Acts 20 14 Word analysis

• κἀκεῖθεν (kakeithen) - "And from there." This serves as a strong conjunction, connecting this verse directly to Paul's walking journey mentioned in the previous verse (Acts 20:13). It signifies continuity from the immediately preceding event.
• ἐπειδὴ (epeide) - "when" or "since." It marks a temporal relationship, indicating that the meeting occurred as a consequence of Paul's arrival.
• συνέβαλεν (synebalen) - "he met with." From synballō, meaning "to throw together," "to bring together," or "to meet with." It implies an intentional meeting or convergence, suggesting the companions were waiting for Paul, or they all understood the rendezvous point. This is not a chance encounter but a planned reunion.
• ἡμῖν (hēmin) - "us." The dative plural pronoun indicates that Paul met with the entire group, which explicitly includes the narrator, Luke, further validating the "we-sections" of Acts.
• εἰς τὴν Ἄσσον (eis tēn Asson) - "at Assos" (literally "into Assos"). Assos was a significant Roman free city and port on the coast of Mysia. Paul's land journey from Troas was probably chosen because it was shorter or more direct than sailing around the Troad peninsula for the ship, allowing for a strategic meeting point.
• ἀναλαβόντες (analabontes) - "having taken him on board" (from analambanō). This means "to take up," "to receive," or "to pick up." It denotes the act of receiving Paul onto the ship. The participle indicates an action completed before the main verb. The companions, having arrived by ship, waited for Paul and then boarded him.
• αὐτὸν (auton) - "him." Referring directly to Paul.
• ἤλθομεν (ēlthomen) - "we came." The first person plural (the "we" again, including Luke) signifies the collective journey of the entire group.
• εἰς Μιτυλήνην (eis Mitylēnēn) - "to Mitylene" (literally "into Mitylene"). Mitylene was the capital and major city of the island of Lesbos, a significant port city that served as a natural stop along the shipping routes.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And when he met with us at Assos": This phrase precisely marks the planned reunion point. It underscores Paul's unique method of travel and the efficiency of his companions who sailed ahead to await his arrival. The verb synebalen implies not a chance meeting but a designated rendezvous, reflecting the structured nature of their missionary journey and the commitment of his team.
• "we took him on board and came to Mitylene": This segment confirms the successful regrouping. "We took him on board" (ἀναλαβόντες αὐτὸν) paints a vivid picture of the companions receiving Paul onto their vessel, transitioning back to unified travel by sea. "And came to Mitylene" details their immediate next leg of the journey, emphasizing progress toward their ultimate goal, Jerusalem. It highlights the practicalities of ancient maritime travel, utilizing established ports for their route.

Acts 20 14 Bonus section

The coastal route Paul likely took from Troas to Assos was historically a well-worn path. For someone in Paul's day, walking such a distance was not uncommon, especially if it offered a faster or more direct route than the ship had to take due to navigational realities of sailing around peninsulas or waiting for favorable winds. Some scholars suggest Paul may have used this time for private, urgent pastoral encounters along the way that Luke, as the recorder of the larger narrative, does not explicitly detail. This choice of land travel over immediate sea travel also subtly highlights Paul's resilience and commitment to personal effort, mirroring his teachings about "running the race" (1 Cor 9:24-27). Assos, known for its strong fortifications and its philosophical connections (Aristotle resided there for a time), represented a brief, functional stop, primarily a rendezvous point, rather than a significant ministry location for Paul in this instance. The onward journey to Mitylene on Lesbos marked a standard maritime progression, illustrating how strategic port-to-port travel was crucial for widespread apostolic outreach.

Acts 20 14 Commentary

Acts 20:14 serves as a seemingly simple log entry in the unfolding drama of Paul's third missionary journey, yet it offers nuanced insights into apostolic life and ministry. Paul's decision to walk twenty miles from Troas to Assos while his companions sailed ahead (Acts 20:13) is often interpreted as a desire for solitude—a time for reflection, prayer, or private communication before resuming the intensity of group travel and public ministry. This brief moment of personal pilgrimage highlights a pattern of leadership where spiritual communion often precedes active service (cf. Jesus' retreats to pray). The phrase "when he met with us" underscores the purposeful nature of their reunion, showcasing the highly organized and coordinated efforts of Paul and his team, including Luke. It demonstrates an interdependence and trust; the group trusted Paul would arrive, and Paul trusted they would be there. Their subsequent boarding of the ship and voyage to Mitylene signals the seamless continuation of their mission. This logistical precision in movement across land and sea, managing diverse travel arrangements, exemplifies the resourcefulness and determination required for extensive evangelistic endeavors in the ancient world, all driven by an unwavering commitment to reach Jerusalem for Pentecost. It's a snapshot of a working, traveling missionary team, embodying practicality, patience, and purpose.