1 Paul’s journeys from Ephesus to Troas
Text, Acts 20:1-6, KJV: 1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
Thoughts:
--Luke provides a brief summary of Paul’s travels from Ephesus to Macedonia (northern Greece) to “Greece (probably Achaia, the southern region of Greece)” and back through Macedonia. Paul alludes to this in 2 Corinthians 1.
--Paul stayed in “Greece” for three months. When he wanted to sail for Syria, he found out that some of the Jews “laid wait” for him, so he went (on foot?) through Macedonia once again. Something like this would happen later, per Acts 23.
--A group of seven different men went with Paul on this journey; Luke gives their names and hometowns. If nothing else, this proves the Gospel reached people of various locations!
--Paul and the seven other men got to Troas a few days before Luke and the others. Once they all got together again, they “abode” or remained there for another seven days.
--But there was more to happen in Troas, The next few verses describe a very important event.
2 Paul’s encounter with the man named “Lucky”
Text, Acts 20:7-12, KJV: 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. 11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Thoughts:
--The disciples came together on the “first day of the week” to “break bread”, perhaps to observe Communion or the Lord’s Supper. In Acts 2, the disciples hand done this “daily (Acts 2:46); now this seemed to be a weekly observance of this ordinance. Of note, there is no mention of Paul going to a synagogue here. Did one exist?
--Paul apparently had so much to say that he talked until midnight! He and the disciples were in the “upper chamber”, where the other disciples had apparently brought plenty of “lights”. These ‘lights” were lamps, where oil-soaked wicks were burned to give light (paraphrased from the definition found at https://biblehub.com/greek/2985.htm).
--Eutychus means “well-fated” or, “lucky”! He didn’t have much good fortune or luck of any kind during this rather extended message: he fell asleep and fell out of the window!
--Note Luke’s diagnoses: first, he fell into “a deep sleep”, then he ”sunk down with sleep”, and finally he fell out of a third-story window! Whether this meant a true third-story (about 30 feet) or a British-style third story, meaning ground-first-second, is not known. At any rate, he fell down from a good distance. Some, including Luke, thought Eutychus had died.
--Paul went down, “fell on him”, first, and then “embraced him”. After this, Paul said, “It’s all good, he’s alive!” Debate exists whether Eutychus had really died or was in a swoon or if he had been in some other state.
--After this, Paul and at least some others, came up again, probably to the same upper chamber, then broke bread and ate afterwards. Paul then seemed to take up where he left off, and kept on speaking until the “break of day!”
--Eutychus was fully alive by now (had he rested or slept since Paul had ministered to him?). The others were greatly (not moderately) comforted. Dr. A. T. Robertson notes how Luke likes to use this idiom or figure at https://godrules.net/library/robert/robertact20.htm.
3 Paul’s journey from Troas to Miletus
Text, Acts 20:13-16, KJV: 13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. 14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. 15 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. 16 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.
Thoughts:
--These verses trace the journey from Troas to Miletus. Luke and others (“we”) went by ship and sailed to Assos, south and east of Troas. Paul walked and apparently got there later than Luke and the others (verse 14). Of note is that there is no mention of any preaching of the Gospel.
--They sailed “over against Chios”, an island not far from the mainland or coast of Asia Minor (see https://bibleatlas.org/chios.htm). Pergamum, Smyrna, and Ephesus were all about the same distance from this island. There is no record they visited the island, only that they passed it by,
--The next day they arrived at Samos, another island in the Aegean Sea. Trogyllium was described as a town on the mainland (see https://bibleatlas.org/samos.htm) but also as an island (see https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/adam-clarke/561255). The group only spent a day there, and there is no record they preached to any of the people there. Patmos, the island where John the Apostle was sentenced, was maybe 30 miles or so south and west.
--About four days after leaving Troas, the ship and group arrived at Miletus. Paul may not have desired to spend too much time there as he wanted to be in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost. It’s not certain why, as he knew the whole Law had been fulfilled when Jesus died (Colossians 2:14, written later, proves this). Regardless, he wanted to be in Jerusalem, no matter what.
4 Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
Text, Acts 20:17-38, KJV: 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Thoughts:
--Verses 17-21 tell how Paul called the elders of Ephesus to come to him at Miletus. The men from Ephesus could have walked to Miletus, as there was a broad river valley for most of the way, or they could have gone by ship, taking maybe a couple of days (see the online map at https://bibleatlas.org/full/samos.htm). Paul gave a testimony or review of what he had done while serving the Lord in Asia (where Ephesus was located).
--Verses 22-26 have Paul’s remarks that he was determined to go to Jerusalem even though he knew what was in store. His desire, though, was to finish his course with joy, and his ministry.
--In verses 26-31, Paul reminds these leaders (elders) of various things. Two of these were the warning that “grievous wolves” would enter in and not spare the flock; also that some of the Ephesians themselves would speak “perverse things” and would draw disciples away from the truth to these lies or perverse things. This came true; as about 30 years later John wrote the message from the Lord that the true believers hated the deeds of the Nicolatines as Jesus Himself also did (Rev. 2:6).
--The last several verses complete Paul’s testimony and last words to these Ephesian leaders. The people gave a heartfelt farewell as the “loved on” him, to use a figure of speech often used where I live, and accompanied him to the ship.
Conclusion: each group went their respective ways: Paul and the others, on to Jerusalem; the believers of Miletus, if any, to their homes (we have no record, though, that anyone had preached here); and the elders/leaders of Ephesus back to Ephesus. In the same way, whether to stay where we are, or to go as the Lord leads, is a decision each believer needs to make. My prayer is that we find and then follow the Lord’s direction for our lives!
Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV)
