13We ourselves, however, having gone ahead to the ship, sailed to Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board — for thus he had arranged it, himself intending to go on foot. [20:14] When now he was meeting with us at Assos, having taken him on board, we came to Mitylene. [20:15] And sailing away from there, on the following day we arrived opposite Chios; then on the other day we put in at Samos; and on the next day we came to Miletus. [20:16] For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that it might not happen to him to rub away time in Asia — for he was hastening, if it might be possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
ACT 20:13-16
From Troas to Miletus
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, travel by sea was a common but perilous endeavor, often dictated by seasonal winds and the availability of ships. The journey described here reflects the logistical challenges of coordinating land and sea travel, particularly for someone like Paul, who was navigating a network of Roman roads and coastal ports. The decision to avoid Ephesus suggests a strategic choice to bypass a major urban center where Paul had significant ties, likely to avoid delays or conflicts that could arise from his presence. The use of '' (having been arranged) implies a deliberate plan, possibly orchestrated by Paul’s companions or local believers, reflecting the collaborative nature of early Christian travel. The term '' (to waste time) underscores the urgency of Paul’s mission, emphasizing the value of time in a context where travel was slow and unpredictable. This passage highlights the practical realities of apostolic travel in the Roman Empire, shaped by both personal decisions and external constraints.
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How other translations render this
ACT 20:13
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot.
- Koinōnos
- We ourselves, however, having gone ahead to the ship, sailed to Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board — for thus he had arranged it, himself intending to go on foot.
ACT 20:14
- KJV
- And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
- BSB
- And when he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.
- Koinōnos
- When now he was meeting with us at Assos, having taken him on board, we came to Mitylene.
ACT 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.
- BSB
- Sailing on from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The day after that we arrived at Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus.
- Koinōnos
- And sailing away from there, on the following day we arrived opposite Chios; then on the other day we put in at Samos; and on the next day we came to Miletus.
ACT 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.
- BSB
- Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
- Koinōnos
- For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that it might not happen to him to rub away time in Asia — for he was hastening, if it might be possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 20:13
- having arranged himself:The word translated 'having arranged himself' implies a deliberate, pre-planned ordering or appointment of something, suggesting Paul had a specific itinerary or instruction in mind.
ACT 20:15
- following [day]:The term used here for 'following day' literally means 'coming upon' or 'approaching,' emphasizing the immediate succession of the next day.
- we arrived:The word translated 'we arrived' can also carry the sense of 'putting in' or 'landing' a ship, highlighting the nautical context of their journey.
ACT 20:16
- to spend time:The word translated 'to spend time' literally means 'to rub away time' or 'to wear out time,' which can imply either a leisurely or a protracted stay.