Acts, Chapter 20
© Copyright 2007 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

Acts 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

Again, we deal with a transitional statement to begin a chapter. When all that “uproar” ceased, Paul decided that it was time to move on.

Actually, that was completely in line with God’s plan for Paul and the move of the Holy Spirit. Paul had an appointment in Rome, and it was God’s decision that caused his going. Paul now returns to Macedonia.

Acts 20:2-5
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.

In those days, Macedonia was considered to be a separate province and people from Greece and Greeks. Historically, Alexander the great was Macedonian---not Greek.

Paul stayed in that area for about three months. It was at that time that many Orthodox Jews planned to murder him. They had no regard for the commandment of God that says, “You shall not murder.” Their plan was to kill him as he traveled. The Bible gives us a list of men who traveled with Paul.

Acts 20:6-12
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.
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.

Philippi is not actually a sea port. It is a few miles inland. However, it does have a river that was navigable.

So, they sailed from Philippi “after” the days of unleavened bread (Passover), and came to Troas where they stayed seven days. It, no doubt, was a slow voyage from Philippi in Macedonia to Troas in Asia Minor.

And, on a Sabbath (v. 7), when the disciples came together to eat a communal meal (this was not communion), Paul preached until midnight. (You must remember that the phrase “first day of the week” is not found in any reliable NT Greek text! The text refers to a Sabbath.)

A young man who sat on the window sill went to sleep and fell to his death. His death was apparent to all in attendance. The fall was from the 3^rd story, “the third loft.” To prove the validity of the story, Luke gives the young man’s name, Eutychus, as evidence.

Seeing what happened, Paul went to his aid. He embraced him and said, “Don’t be upset. There life in him!”

The young man arose, ate, and talked with those in attendance until dawn. Paul preached until midnight, but they talked all night.

Acts 20:13-16
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.

Then they, the group---minus Paul---sailed from Troas to Assos (a forty-mile trip by sea). Meanwhile, Paul walked overland to Assos (about a twenty-mile trip on foot) to Assos. From there, the group picked Paul up and proceeded to Mitylene, and from there to Chios, Samos, Trogyllium; and Miletus. It was his intent to sail from Ephesus in time to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost.

Acts 20:17-38
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.

While in Miletus, Paul sent ahead for the leaders of the Ephesus Church to meet with him. That meeting is the basis for a great prophetic statement from Paul.

Paul told them, “You all know how from the very first day that I came into Asia Minor, I have been with you in all seasons of growth.

“I have Served the Lord with all humility, though many tears, and temptations. And, I withheld nothing that was spiritually profitable for you, but I have shown you, and have taught you both publicly, and from house to house.”

Further, Paul said, “I have testified to the Jews and the Greeks the word of repentance toward God, and concerning faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

“But, now I am compelled, bound in the spirit, to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what will happen or what shall befall me there, except that the Holy Ghost in witnessing in every city about the afflictions that are waiting for me.

***That is an expression of pure faith! No matter what might befall him, Paul’s faith was in Christ.

“None of those things move me, nor do I consider my life dear to me. I do that so I may finish my life’s race with joy, and the ministry, which I received (personally) from the Lord Jesus, testifies to the good news and grace of God.

“Now, I know that you all shall not see me again. And because of that, I declare that you are witnesses that I am clean of the blood of all men.

“I have not ceased to declare to you the entire counsel of God. So, take care of the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you administrators. Feed the church of God, which He has purchased with his own blood.

“I do know that after I depart, grievous wolves shall come in among you, and shall not spare the flock. In addition, some among you shall arise, and speak spiritual perversions, and shall draw many disciples away from the Truth and into following you---personally.

***Paul warned that false teachers would come from within. That warning is still valid!

“So, watch out! Remember that for three years I warned you.

“Brothers, 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.

“I have craved no one’s money. You personally know that I have paid my own way as have those with me.

***Unlike so many today, personal monetary gain was never Paul’s motive.

“I have shown you all things, and have worked to help those of you who are weak in the faith. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, Who said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

After Paul said that he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. They all wept greatly, hugged, kissed him. Then, they escorted him to the ship.

Chapter 21

Main Index