Acts 20:16-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 20:13-16

Paul is hastening towards Jerusalem, but strives to do all the good he can by the way, os en parodo, ?as it were by the by.? He had called at Troas, and done good there; and now he makes a sort of coasting voyage, the merchants would call it a trading voyage, going from place to place, and no doubt endeavouring to make every place he came to the better for him, as every good man should do. I. He sent his companions by sea to Assos, but he himself was minded to go afoot, Acts 20:13. He had... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 20:17-35

It should seem the ship Paul and his companions were embarked in for Jerusalem attended him on purpose, and staid or moved as he pleased; for when he came to Miletus, he went ashore, and tarried thee so long as to send for the elders of Ephesus to come to him thither; for if he had gone up to Ephesus, he could never have got away from them. These elders, or presbyters, some think, were those twelve who received the Holy Ghost by Paul's hands, Acts 19:6. But, besides these, it is probable that... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 20:13-16

20:13-16 But we went to the ship and set sail for Assos, for there we intended to take Paul on board for he had arranged things in this way, since he himself intended to do that stage on foot. When we met him at Assos we took him on board and went to Mitylene. On the next day we sailed away from there and arrived opposite Chios. On the second day we crossed over to Samos and on the next day we came to Miletus.. for Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so as not to have to spend time in Asia.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 20:17-38

20:17-38 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. When they were with him he said to them, "You yourselves know how, from the first day I came into Asia, I spent all the time, during which I was with you, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and amidst the trials that happened to me because of the machinations of the Jews. You know how I kept back nothing that was to your profit, how I did not fail to announce my tidings to you and to teach you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:16

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus ,.... That is, to sail by it, without calling at it, as he did, for it lay by the shore before he came to Miletus; but he chose not to stop there, fearing he should be detained by the brethren there: because he would not spend the time in Asia ; of which Ephesus was the metropolis: for he hasted, if it were possible, for him to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost : which was near at hand; for it was but fifty days from the second day of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:17

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus ,.... Which is said, by some, to be about four hundred furlongs from Miletus, and, by others, ten German miles. And called the elders of the church ; that is, at Ephesus; not the ancient members of the church, but the officers of it; the pastors, bishops, and overseers, as they are called, Acts 20:28 and are so styled from their office, and not their age. The twelve disciples the apostle found in this place, and the numerous converts made by him... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:16

To sail by Ephesus - Not to touch there at this time. To be at Jerusalem the day of pentecost - That he might have the opportunity of preaching the kingdom of God to multitudes of Jews from different places, who would come up to Jerusalem at that feast; and then he no doubt expected to see there a renewal of that day of pentecost in which the Spirit was poured out on the disciples, and in consequence of which so many were converted to God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:17

He sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church - These are called επισκοποι , bishops, Acts 20:28 . By the πρεσβυτεροι , presbyters or elders, here, we are to understand all that were in authority in the Church, whether they were επισκοποι , bishops or overseers, or seniors in years, knowledge, and experience. The πρεσβυτεροι , or elders, were probably the first order in the Church; an order which was not so properly constituted, but which rose out of the state of things.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:16

Verse 16− 16.For Paul purposed. It is not to be doubted but that he had great and weighty causes to make haste; not that he made so great account of the day, but because strangers did then use to come together to Jerusalem out of all quarters. Forasmuch as he did hope that he might do some good in such a great assembly, he would not foreslow [neglect] the opportunity. Therefore, let us know that the worship of the law − (409) was not the cause that he made so great haste, but he set before his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:1-16

Scenes by the way. I. FUGITIVE SERVICE . "When they persecute you in one city, flee into another," had said the Lord. But not as a hireling who sees the wolf coming; rather as a brave warrior who retreats fighting. The brave retreat may reflect more honor than the hopeless prolongation of warfare. We must know when to give way. There is a "wise passiveness" and a "masterly inactivity." If we can but gain our Christian point, we should suffer no scruple of vanity to stand in our... read more

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