Acts 20 16

Acts 20:16 kjv

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:16 nkjv

For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:16 niv

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:16 esv

For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:16 nlt

Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn't want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 16 Meaning

Acts 20:16 conveys Paul's strategic decision during his return journey from his third missionary expedition. He purposefully planned to bypass Ephesus, a significant city where he had previously spent considerable time, to avoid any potential delays that might keep him in the region of Asia. His clear intention was to reach Jerusalem, if at all possible, by the crucial timing of the day of Pentecost. This reflects a deep urgency and purpose related to this particular Jewish festival.

Acts 20 16 Context

Acts 20:16 is situated within Paul's final return journey to Jerusalem during his third missionary journey. This particular segment follows his lengthy and fruitful ministry in Ephesus, a key strategic center in Asia Minor. After a profound farewell discourse to the Ephesian elders in Miletus (Acts 20:17-38), Paul reveals his travel intentions. He had just traveled through Macedonia and Achaia, collecting contributions for the struggling believers in Jerusalem. His decision to bypass Ephesus and hasten toward Jerusalem reflects both strategic missionary planning and a strong spiritual pull towards the heart of early Christianity, particularly coinciding with the timing of Pentecost. This urgency foreshadows the trials and imprisonments Paul would face in Jerusalem, as detailed in the subsequent chapters of Acts. Historically, Pentecost (Shavuot in Hebrew) was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals for Jews, requiring every male to travel to Jerusalem, signifying an important gathering.

Acts 20 16 Word analysis

• For Paul had determined (κέκρικα γὰρ ὁ Παῦλος, kekrika gar ho Paulos):
  • κέκρικα (kekrika): This verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a settled, firm decision with continuing results. It's not a fleeting thought but a definite plan Paul has made and intends to execute. This shows the deliberateness of his strategy and reflects his usual purposeful approach to his travels and ministry, often under divine guidance (e.g., Acts 19:21).
  • determined: Implies thoughtful consideration and strong resolution.
• to sail past Ephesus (παραπλεῦσαι τὴν Ἔφεσον, parapleusai tēn Epheson):
  • παραπλεῦσαι (parapleusai): To sail alongside, bypass, or pass by without stopping. This action signifies a deliberate avoidance of calling at the port.
  • Ephesus: A major Roman city and the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Paul had spent approximately three years here (Acts 19:8, 19:10, 20:31), establishing a robust church. Returning there would invariably lead to extensive interaction, potentially disrupting his urgent timetable.
• so that he would not have to spend time in Asia (ὅπως μὴ γένηται αὐτῷ χρονοτριβῆσαι ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ, hopōs mē genētai autō chronotribēsai en tē Asia):
  • χρονοτριβῆσαι (chronotribēsai): To spend time, linger, delay, or 'waste' time. Paul's use here highlights the strategic importance of his timing. Any stay would inevitably be lengthy given his strong connections and the significant Christian community in the region. He wasn't avoiding people but a time commitment that would prevent him from reaching Jerusalem by Pentecost.
  • Asia: Refers to the Roman province of Asia Minor, with Ephesus being its prominent city. Paul's aim was to minimize any engagements in this region.
• for he was hurrying (ἔσπευδεν γάρ, espeuden gar):
  • ἔσπευδεν (espeuden): Imperfect tense, denoting an ongoing state of hurrying or a continuous desire to hurry. This suggests a persistent and determined effort to maintain a brisk pace.
  • hurrying: Implies a sense of urgency and prioritization. This wasn't merely a preference but a strong impetus guiding his travel schedule.
• to be in Jerusalem (γενέσθαι εἰς Ἰεροσόλυμα, genesthai eis Hierosolyma):
  • Jerusalem: The spiritual and historical center of Judaism, and for early Christians, the birthplace of the Church where the Holy Spirit was poured out at the first Pentecost. Paul often saw Jerusalem as critical for connecting Jewish and Gentile Christianity and for delivering offerings.
• if possible (εἰ δυνατὸν ἦν αὐτῷ, ei dynaton ēn autō):
  • εἰ δυνατὸν ἦν (ei dynaton ēn): An expression of intent mixed with realism. It acknowledges potential unforeseen circumstances (weather, travel disruptions, divine intervention) but does not diminish the strong desire and planned effort. It also implicitly defers to God's sovereign will (cf. Jas 4:13-15).
• on the day of Pentecost (τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς, tēn hēmeran tēs Pentēkostēs):
  • Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή, Pentēkostē): The Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), observed 50 days after Passover. It was a pilgrimage festival celebrating the harvest and commemorating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. For Christians, it held supreme significance as the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, marking the birth of the Church (Acts 2). Paul's desire to be there by this specific date could be multifaceted:
    • Spiritual significance: To celebrate the Christian understanding of Pentecost, connect with the spiritual vibrancy, and perhaps participate in a major gathering of believers.
    • Evangelistic opportunity: Major festivals gathered many Jews from the diaspora, providing an excellent audience for the Gospel.
    • Unity and identity: To reinforce the connection between Jewish and Gentile believers within the broader context of Jewish traditions, especially for delivering the collection.

Acts 20 16 Bonus section

Paul's strong desire to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost aligns with several recurrent themes in his ministry and the Book of Acts:

• Jewish Identity and Heritage: Despite being the "apostle to the Gentiles," Paul remained deeply rooted in his Jewish identity. Attending the major feasts in Jerusalem demonstrated this continuity and reverence for the ancestral customs where appropriate.
• Collection for the Saints: A primary goal for this leg of the journey was to deliver the financial collection from the Gentile churches to the poor believers in Jerusalem (Rom 15:25-27, 1 Cor 16:1-4). Being there for Pentecost, when many diaspora Jews would also be present, would likely provide a suitable public context for this act of inter-church unity and generosity.
• Prophetic Fulfillment: The Christian understanding of Pentecost as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) was a foundational event. Paul's presence might have been motivated by a desire to commemorate this event with the Jerusalem church, or even a sense of being part of ongoing divine action.
• A Call to Accountability: It's speculated that Paul felt a need to present his ministry and collection in Jerusalem, seeking to reinforce unity and possibly respond to criticisms from certain factions within the early Christian movement who doubted his apostolic authority or methods.
• Urgency in Ministry: Paul often displayed a remarkable sense of urgency in spreading the Gospel and building the church, always striving to redeem the time (Eph 5:16). His determination to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, despite the known dangers awaiting him (Acts 20:22-23), showcases this unwavering commitment.

Acts 20 16 Commentary

Acts 20:16 succinctly captures Paul's intentional and time-sensitive travel plans, highlighting his strategic foresight in ministry. His deliberate bypass of Ephesus, where he held deep bonds, was not a sign of neglect but of pressing priority. Knowing a visit to Ephesus would naturally extend into a significant stay, Paul prioritized reaching Jerusalem by Pentecost, indicating the critical spiritual or logistical importance he attached to this particular Jewish festival. This urgency reflects Paul's meticulous planning and often his leveraging of Jewish pilgrimage feasts, either for gathering opportunities (for his collection or for preaching) or for deepening the ties between the Gentile and Jewish wings of the early church. His "if possible" clause, while acknowledging human limitation and divine sovereignty, underlines the strong desire driving his hurried journey.