1After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and, having encouraged them, having said farewell, departed to go to Macedonia. [20:2] Having passed through those regions and having exhorted them with much instruction, he came to Greece. [20:3] He spent three months there, and when a plot was laid against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. [20:4] He was accompanied by Sopater the son of Pyrrhus, a Berean; Aristarchus and Secundus, Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. [20:5] These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. [20:6] We ourselves sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread and came to them at Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days.
ACT 20:1-6
Paul in Macedonia and Greece
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, travel was fraught with danger, particularly for someone like Paul, who faced opposition from both Jewish and Roman authorities. Macedonia and Greece were key regions in Paul’s mission, where he had established communities of Jesus-followers in cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth. The mention of a plot by Jews reflects the ongoing tension between Paul and some Jewish factions who saw his teachings as a threat to Jewish identity and synagogue cohesion. Paul’s decision to return through Macedonia rather than sailing directly to Syria demonstrates strategic caution, as sea travel was risky and plots could be more easily executed in ports. The list of companions—Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus—highlights the collaborative nature of Paul’s mission, with individuals from diverse regions (Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, Asia) representing the interconnected network of early Jesus-followers. Their presence also underscores the importance of communal support in navigating both physical and ideological threats.
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How other translations render this
ACT 20:1
- KJV
- And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
- BSB
- When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.
- Koinōnos
- After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and, having encouraged them, having said farewell, departed to go to Macedonia.
ACT 20:2
- KJV
- And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
- BSB
- After traveling through that area and speaking many words of encouragement, he arrived in Greece,
- Koinōnos
- Having passed through those regions and having exhorted them with much instruction, he came to Greece.
ACT 20:3
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- where he stayed three months. And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
- Koinōnos
- He spent three months there, and when a plot was laid against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
ACT 20:4
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
- Koinōnos
- He was accompanied by Sopater the son of Pyrrhus, a Berean; Aristarchus and Secundus, Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.
ACT 20:5
- KJV
- These going before tarried for us at Troas.
- BSB
- These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas.
- Koinōnos
- These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.
ACT 20:6
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- And after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and five days later we rejoined them in Troas, where we stayed seven days.
- Koinōnos
- We ourselves sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread and came to them at Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 20:1
- having encouraged:The word translated 'having encouraged' implies a strong appeal or exhortation, often with the sense of urging someone to take a particular course of action, not just offering comfort.
- having said farewell:The term translated 'having said farewell' often carried the meaning of greeting or welcoming someone, and in this context, it signifies a formal and affectionate parting, a respectful leave-taking.
ACT 20:3
- a plot:The word translated 'a plot' specifically refers to a hostile scheme or a plan formed with malicious intent against someone, highlighting the treacherous nature of the action.
- a purpose:The word translated 'a purpose' refers to a considered judgment, a resolution, or a decision made after careful thought, indicating a firm and deliberate intention.