Acts 20 15

Acts 20:15 kjv

And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

Acts 20:15 nkjv

We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.

Acts 20:15 niv

The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.

Acts 20:15 esv

And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus.

Acts 20:15 nlt

The next day we sailed past the island of Kios. The following day we crossed to the island of Samos, and a day later we arrived at Miletus.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 15 Meaning

This verse describes a significant geographical movement in Paul's final journey to Jerusalem. It highlights a planned stop at Trogyllium, a coastal area near Samos, as part of their sailing itinerary.

Acts 20 15 Context

This verse is situated within Paul's final missionary journey as detailed in the book of Acts. Following his ministry in Ephesus and surrounding areas, Paul was making his way back to Jerusalem. The preceding verses describe the decision to sail past Ephesus to avoid delaying there, and the intention to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by Pentecost. This specific verse details their immediate sailing plan, moving from the general area of Ephesus towards the Aegean islands. The cultural context involves Roman maritime travel and the significant religious observance of Pentecost, a Jewish festival deeply intertwined with the early Christian community.

Acts 20 15 Word Analysis

• δε (de): And, but, moreover (conjunction; introducing a new thought or linking statements).
• ἡμεῖς (hēmeis): We (first person plural pronoun; referring to Paul and his companions).
• πλοῖον (ploion): Ship, boat (noun; the vessel of transport).
• παραπλευσάντων (parapleusantōn): Having sailed past, sailed by (aorist participle, genitive plural masculine of παραπλέω - parapleo; indicating an action completed before or concurrent with the main action, and relating to "they" implied in the general movement of the ship. "Parapleo" means to sail past, near, or alongside).
• ἡμᾶς (hēmas): Us (first person plural accusative pronoun; object of the participle).
• ὅπως (hopōs): That, so that, in order that (conjunction of purpose; introducing a clause of purpose).
• μὴ (mē): Not (particle of negation).
• ἐν (en): In, on, at, by (preposition; indicating location or circumstance).
• ταῖς (tais): The (definite article, dative plural feminine; modifying Asia).
• Ασίᾳ (Asiai): Asia (noun, dative plural feminine; the Roman province of Asia Minor. The use of the plural suggests the broader region of Roman Asia or potentially different parts within it).
• διατρίψαιμεν (diatribsaimen): We might spend time, tarry, linger (aorist subjunctive verb, first person plural of διατρίβω - diatribo; expressing a potential action of spending time, negated by "mē").

Word Group Analysis:

• "τῇ δὲ πλοῖον παραπλευσάντων ἡμᾶς" (tē de ploiō parapleusantōn hēmas): This phrase signifies the act of the ship sailing past them. The structure is somewhat idiomatic. It's understood that the ship sailed, and in doing so, passed by them, not necessarily carrying them. However, the broader context indicates Paul and his company were on the ship. The grammatical structure suggests the ship sailed by, with "us" (hēmas) as an indication that this movement affected or concerned them directly, possibly implying they were aboard and the ship was making a pass by a location, rather than them disembarking. The intent is that they would sail onward without stopping in Ephesus itself.
• "ὅπως μὴ ἐν τῇ Ασίᾳ διατρίψαιμεν" (hopōs mē en tēi Asiai diatribsaimen): This is a clear statement of purpose: "so that we might not spend time in Asia." This shows Paul's strategic decision to avoid prolonged stops in the region of Asia Minor to reach Jerusalem by the appointed time.

Acts 20 15 Bonus Section

The mention of "Asia" (Ασίᾳ) in the plural form is a nuance. While referring to the Roman province of Asia, the plural might imply a broader geographical or even political understanding of the region that was familiar to the original audience. It could also allude to the extensive network of churches Paul had established throughout this region, implying that lingering in any one of these centers might impede his overall objective. The strategic foresight in Paul's travel plans, as depicted in Acts, emphasizes his leadership and unwavering dedication to the mission despite personal desires or opportunities for further ministry. His understanding of Jewish festivals was not merely cultural but deeply theological, as Pentecost represented the coming of the Holy Spirit, a theme central to the book of Acts.

Acts 20 15 Commentary

Paul's decision to sail past Ephesus reflects a deep urgency and commitment to reaching Jerusalem, particularly with the Pentecost festival approaching. The phrase "not spend time in Asia" implies a deliberate avoidance of potential delays, possibly due to the extensive ministry he had there (Acts 19). He had previously ministered significantly in Ephesus, establishing a strong Christian community. However, his immediate goal was to fulfill his vow and deliver the collections from the gentile churches to the Jerusalem believers. This highlights a crucial aspect of Paul's ministry: balancing outreach and consolidation with his commitment to unity and fulfilling specific responsibilities. The journey by sea was common, and selecting a route that bypassed the primary region of his ministry demonstrates his focused determination.