Met for met with, A.V. Mitylene . The capital of the island of Lesbos, called by Horace "pulchra Mitylene" ('Epist.,' 1. 11.17). The harbor on the north-eastern coast is described by Strabo as "spacious and deep, and sheltered by a breakwater" (13. 2). read more
Sailed unto Assos - There were several cities of this name. One was in Lycia; one in the territory of Eolis; one in Mysia; one in Lydia; and another in Epirus. The latter is the one intended here. It was between Troas and Mitylene. The distance to it from Troas by land was about 20 miles, while the voyage round Cape Lecture was nearly twice as far, and accordingly Paul chose to go to it on foot.Minding himself - Choosing or preferring to go on foot. Most of his journeys were probably performed... read more
Came to Mitylene - This was the capital of the island of Lesbos. It was distinguished by the beauty of its situation, and the splendor and magnificence of its edifices. The island on which it stood, Lesbos, was one of the largest in the Aegean Sea, and the seventh in the Mediterranean. It is a few miles distant from the coast of Aeolia, and is about 168 miles in circumference. The name of the city now is Castro. read more
Acts 20:13-16. And we went before to ship Namely, those that were to go with Paul; and sailed unto Assos A city to the south of Troas; there intending to take in Paul Who went thither on foot The place being much nearer by land than by sea; and in order that, being alone for a while, he might employ himself in meditation and prayer, his public work allowing him little time for retirement and private devotion: or, perhaps, he might intend to call on some friends by the way. And when... read more
To Jerusalem with the offering (20:13-21:16)From Troas Paul went by land to Assos, where he rejoined the rest of the party and sailed to Miletus (13-16). Since Miletus was only about fifty kilometres from Ephesus, Paul took the opportunity to call the elders of the Ephesian church to come and meet him. He wanted to give them some final encouragement and pass on helpful warnings (17).Paul’s opponents in Asia had probably been trying to turn the Christians against him. Therefore, he reminded the... read more
to ship = on board. Literally upon (Greek. epi . App-104 .) the ship. intending = being about. Same as in verses: Acts 20:3 , Acts 20:7 , Acts 20:38 . take in = receive on board. had he appointed . Greek. diatasso. See note on Acts 7:44 . minding = being about, as above go afoot . Greek. pezeuo. Only here. The distance was twenty miles. read more
met . Greek. sumballo. See note on Acts 4:15 . read more
But we, going before to the ship, set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.TRIP TO JERUSALEM RESUMEDThis is an amazing incident. "Troas and Assos are on opposite sides of a peninsula which terminates in Cape Lectum";[17] and the distance between those cities is only twenty miles by land, but more than twice that by sea; hence it was not difficult for Paul to walk overland and again board the ship when it arrived at Assos. But... read more
And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; ... and the day after we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.The journey to Jerusalem by Paul and his company was made in a trading ship stopping at numerous... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:13-38
The charge. The previous section brought before us St. Paul's labors as a missionary and an evangelist. The present section sets him before us as the Christian bishop, delivering his solemn charge to the presbyters of the Church. The qualities brought out in the charge are a transparent integrity of character; a noble ingenuousness, which enables him to speak of himself without a particle of vanity; and a resoluteness of purpose to do what is right, which no persuasion could weaken and no... read more