Acts 20:5 kjv
These going before tarried for us at Troas.
Acts 20:5 nkjv
These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.
Acts 20:5 niv
These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.
Acts 20:5 esv
These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,
Acts 20:5 nlt
They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.
Acts 20 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 20:4 | Sopater... Aristarchus... Secundus... Gaius... Timothy... Tychicus... Trophimus accompanied him. | Identifies the specific companions who traveled with Paul. |
| Acts 20:6 | After the days of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and in five days we came to them in Troas. | Contextualizes Paul's delayed departure, arriving five days later. |
| Acts 16:10-17 | And when Paul had seen the vision... immediately we sought to go into Macedonia... | Example of Luke (the "we") joining Paul's travels earlier. |
| Acts 21:1-18 | And when we had parted from them... | Further "we" passages indicating Luke's presence. |
| Acts 27:1-28:16 | And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy... | Extensive "we" passages showing Luke accompanying Paul to Rome. |
| 1 Cor 16:3 | When I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters... | Paul's practice of sending trusted companions ahead for logistics. |
| Phil 2:19-23 | I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon... | Paul sending Timothy, a trusted companion mentioned in Acts 20:4, ahead. |
| Titus 3:12 | When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you... | Paul sending Tychicus, another companion from Acts 20:4. |
| 2 Cor 8:16-24 | ...Titus... our brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches... | Paul relying on multiple brothers and companions in ministry. |
| Rom 16:21 | Timothy, my fellow worker... and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen, greet you. | Highlights Timothy's role as a fellow worker, reinforcing the value of companions. |
| Gal 2:1-2 | Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. | Example of Paul's deliberate choice of companions for specific journeys. |
| Gen 32:3 | Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir... | Old Testament example of sending people ahead. |
| Judg 18:2 | The Danites sent five mighty men... from Zorah and Eshtaol, to scout out the land and explore it. | Sending a contingent ahead for a specific purpose. |
| Luke 10:1 | After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two... | Jesus sending disciples ahead as preparation. |
| 1 Thess 3:1-2 | Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother... | Paul sending Timothy on ahead due to pastoral concern. |
| Eph 6:21-22 | Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything... | Tychicus' role in delivering messages and news, necessitating travel. |
| Col 4:7-8 | Tychicus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother... I have sent him to you for this very purpose... | Similar to Ephesians, Tychicus as Paul's trusted envoy. |
| Prov 15:22 | Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. | Implied wisdom in collaborative travel planning and execution. |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. | God's ultimate sovereignty over missionary plans and travels. |
| Is 40:3 | A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” | Foreshadowing preparation for arrival, though different context. |
| 2 Tim 4:9-13 | Do your best to come to me soon... only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you... | Highlights the importance and scarcity of trusted companions towards the end of Paul's life. |
| Heb 10:24-25 | And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together... | Underlines the importance of gathering together as believers for encouragement and ministry. |
| Rom 1:11-12 | For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift... that we may be mutually encouraged. | Expresses the desire for companionship and mutual encouragement in the faith. |
Acts 20 verses
Acts 20 5 Meaning
Acts 20:5 describes a logistical detail of Paul's third missionary journey, specifically a temporary division of his traveling companions. Some of his associates, having departed from Philippi, sailed directly to Troas ahead of Paul and those accompanying him (including Luke, the author of Acts). These individuals were awaiting the arrival of Paul's group at Troas, signifying a planned rendezvous and continued shared ministry.
Acts 20 5 Context
Acts chapter 20 describes Paul's journey back to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary tour, during which he felt compelled to revisit the churches he had established. This specific verse, Acts 20:5, immediately follows the listing of seven specific companions from different regions who were accompanying Paul (Acts 20:4). The context for verse 5 is a change in travel arrangements: some of Paul's company (the "These" of v. 5) traveled by sea to Troas directly, while Paul and his immediate group (indicated by the "us" in v. 5, crucially including Luke, the author) took a different, possibly overland or slower sea route, planning to reunite in Troas. Historically, this journey took place after Paul had spent three months in Greece (likely Corinth), during which a Jewish plot against him prompted him to change his plans to sail directly to Syria and instead travel through Macedonia again. The "days of Unleavened Bread" mentioned in verse 6 confirm Paul's specific adherence to Jewish calendar observations and his stay in Philippi before embarking on his final leg to Troas. The division of the group likely served logistical efficiency, with the direct sea route being faster for the main body of companions, allowing Paul and Luke to potentially serve further in Philippi before making their way to the rendezvous.
Acts 20 5 Word analysis
- These (Ἀκολουθοῦντες δὲ προελθόντες / Akolouthountes de proelthontes): Literally, "and having gone on ahead." The preceding verse lists Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus. "These" explicitly refers to them. The Greek phrase Akolouthountes de proelthontes could be interpreted as "those who accompanied [Paul, from verse 4] but then went on ahead." It highlights their shared journey up to a point, then their divergent, forward movement.
- went on ahead (προελθόντες / proelthontes): A key participle from proerchomai, meaning "to go forward," "to go on ahead." It precisely distinguishes their immediate route and timing from Paul's. This denotes a deliberate and organized split for a strategic reason, likely speed of travel.
- and were waiting (ἔμενον / emenon): The imperfect tense of menō (to remain, stay, wait). It suggests a continuous state of waiting. They weren't just passing through Troas but actively expecting Paul's arrival, implying pre-arranged plans for their reunion. This speaks to the coordination and discipline of early Christian mission.
- for us (ἡμᾶς / hēmas): The accusative form of "we/us." This is a significant indicator of the author's presence with Paul, part of what biblical scholars call the "we" sections of Acts, universally attributed to Luke. Its inclusion grounds the narrative in eyewitness testimony and a firsthand account.
- at Troas (ἐν Τρῳάδι / en Trōadi): Trōadi is the dative case, indicating location, usually rendered "in Troas" or "at Troas." Troas was a vital Roman port city on the northwest coast of Asia Minor, significant in Paul's ministry (Acts 16:8-10, Acts 20:6-12). It served as a strategic point for travel between Asia and Macedonia.
Acts 20 5 Bonus section
The temporary separation of Paul's company in Acts 20:5 is not merely a detail of travel but reflects a common pattern in the ancient world for efficiency. Larger groups could travel overland while a smaller, agile group or specific individuals might take a faster sea route to prepare things at the destination. This shows the practical, rather than mystical, application of their mission work. The mention of "us" solidifies Luke's place not just as a meticulous historian, but as a genuine participant in Paul's sufferings and triumphs, adding weight to the narrative's authenticity. This continuous 'we' in Acts following Acts 20:5 further highlights Luke's deep connection to Paul, providing a detailed record of the latter part of Paul's third journey and the subsequent journey to Rome, enriching our understanding of apostolic activity through an intimate lens.
Acts 20 5 Commentary
Acts 20:5, though seemingly a simple logistical note, offers a rich glimpse into the meticulous planning and communal nature of Paul's missionary endeavors. The verse underscores the importance of a team approach in ministry, where companions, rather than just individuals, carry the gospel message. The strategic decision for some to "go on ahead" to Troas reveals pragmatic foresight, potentially ensuring supplies or lodgings, or preparing for the next leg of their journey. The "waiting" aspect emphasizes not only their faithfulness to a pre-arranged plan but also the bond of fellowship that united them, as they were eagerly anticipating the reunion. Most significantly, the presence of "us" subtly but powerfully affirms Luke's personal involvement, transforming a historical account into a partial autobiography of an eyewitness to the apostolic mission. This brief verse thus encapsulates partnership, planning, patience, and the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit guiding coordinated ministry efforts.