Acts 20:1-6 · Bible study
Acts 20:1-6 Commentary: Paul's Pastoral Care in Transition
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why Paul waited for the Ephesian uproar to cease, and what his travels reveal about pastoral care and strategic mission planning.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul departs Ephesus after the riot, strengthens churches in Macedonia and Greece, avoids a Jewish plot, and travels with companions to Troas where Luke rejoins him.
- Key words: ἀσπασάμενος (took leave), παρακαλέσας (encouraged), ἐπιβουλή (plot), συνέπετο (accompanied), προελθόντες (gone ahead).
- Main debate: Whether Paul left Ephesus in fear or as part of a planned itinerary; most commentators see deliberate strategy, not flight.
- Theological theme: Pastoral care, unity of the Gentile mission, and prudent flexibility under the Spirit’s guidance.
- Best use: A model for leaders facing transitions: wait for peace, encourage deeply, adapt plans, and travel with partners.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.
2After traveling through that area and speaking many words of encouragement, he arrived in Greece,
3where 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.
4Paul 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.
5These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas.
6And after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and five days later we rejoined them in Troas, where we stayed seven days.
WEB World English Bible 2000
1After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
3When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.
KJV King James Version 1769
1And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
3And 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.
4And 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.
5These going before tarried for us at Troas.
6And 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.
3And when he had spent three months there, and a plot was laid against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we tarried seven days.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1And after the ceasing of the tumult, Paul having called near the disciples, and having embraced them , went forth to go on to Macedonia;
2and having gone through those parts, and having exhorted them with many words, he came to Greece;
3having made also three months' stay --a counsel of the Jews having been against him--being about to set forth to Syria, there came to him a resolution of returning through Macedonia.
4And there were accompanying him unto Asia, Sopater of Berea, and of Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus, and of Asiatics Tychicus and Trophimus;
5these, having gone before, did remain for us in Troas,
6and we sailed, after the days of the unleavened food, from Philippi, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1But after the tumult had ceased, Paul having called the disciples to [him] and embraced [them], went away to go to Macedonia.
2And having passed through those parts, and having exhorted them with much discourse, he came to Greece.
3And having spent three months [there], a treacherous plot against him having been set on foot by the Jews, as he was going to sail to Syria, [the] resolution was adopted of returning through Macedonia.
4And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater [son] of Pyrrhus, a Berean; and of Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius and Timotheus of Derbe, and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5These going before waited for us in Troas;
6but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and we came to them to Troas in five days, where we spent seven days.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1And after the tumult was ceased, Paul calling to him the disciples and exhorting them, took his leave and set forward to go into Macedonia.
2And when he had gone over those parts and had exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece:
3Where, when he had spent three months, the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria. So he took a resolution to return through Macedonia.
4And there accompanied him Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, of Berea: and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus: and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy: and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5These, going before, stayed for us at Troas.
6But we sailed from Philippi after the days of the azymes and came to them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 20:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Paul did not flee Ephesus in panic. He waited until the uproar had fully settled, then summoned the disciples, encouraged them, and took a deliberate leave (Barnes; Calvin). This is not a retreat but the execution of a plan already formed in Acts 19:21, to pass through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem. The verb metapempsamenos (having sent for) shows Paul intentionally gathered the church rather than slipping away. Vincent notes that aspasamenos here means “took leave,” a formal farewell. The companions listed in v.4 represent churches from Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia, testifying to the unity of the Gentile mission. The shift to “us” in vv.5-6 marks Luke’s return to Paul’s company, a detail that, as Wesley observes, indicates the historian himself now travels with the apostle. The whole passage presents a leader who balances courage with prudence: he stays through trouble but does not needlessly expose himself to danger (Calvin).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Flight from danger: Some early interpreters read Paul’s departure as a response to the riot, though this is a minority view.
- Planned itinerary: The majority view: Paul had already determined to go to Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 19:21) and simply waited for calm before implementing his plan.
What is clear: Paul acted with pastoral care—he did not abandon the Ephesian church in turmoil, and he took time to encourage disciples before leaving.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for leaving Ephesus | Paul left after the uproar ceased, not during it, showing he was not panicked but orderly. | Some early commentators (Hug, Ewald) suggested the uproar hastened his departure; most (Barnes, Calvin, Lange) see it only as timing, he had already planned to go. |
| The identity of the companions | The seven men are real historical figures representing various churches Paul founded. | Whether Sopater is the same as Sosipater in Romans 16:21 is debated; Clarke and JFB consider it probable, but not certain. Also, whether Gaius of Derbe is distinct from Gaius the Macedonian (Acts 19:29) is unclear. |
| Timing of the voyage | Paul sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread (Passover week), and the voyage took five days. | Why he stayed in Philippi during the feast: Cambridge Bible suggests he kept the feast out of cultural respect, while Gill simply notes it as a time marker. No theological controversy. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ephesus had been the scene of a major riot instigated by Demetrius the silversmith (Acts 19:23-41). When the town clerk dissolved the assembly, peace returned, but Paul likely remained for some days to ensure order. Leaving immediately could have inflamed tensions; waiting showed regard for both the church and the civil authorities. His journey into Macedonia took him to Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, churches he had planted years earlier. Paul’s “encouragement with many words” (v.2) matches his practice as a shepherd: he taught, exhorted, and strengthened believers.
In Greece, probably Corinth, he spent three months, most likely the winter when sea travel was risky. The Jewish plot against him may have targeted the relief offering he carried (Gill; Poole). Changing his route from sea to land through Macedonia was a wise, not cowardly, evasion. The seven companions named are a cross-section of the mission field: Sopater from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy (from Lystra), and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. Their presence embodied the generosity of the Gentile churches. Luke rejoins at Philippi, and they sail after the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover week), a timing that allowed Paul to maintain ties with Jewish customs while advancing his itinerary to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16).
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants that affect the interpretation of Acts 20:1-6. The mention of “son of Pyrrhus” for Sopater (v.4) is present in the best manuscripts but omitted in some later copies (Clarke; Cambridge Bible). The phrase “as far as Asia” in v.4 is absent from the oldest manuscripts, though its inclusion clarifies the geography. These variants do not change the narrative’s meaning.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Acts 20:1-6 has been read as a model of pastoral transition. Early monastic communities cited Paul’s deliberate farewell as an example of leaving with blessing rather than in haste. The company of seven companions has been celebrated in mission literature as the prototype of a partnership team. Reformers like Calvin and Wesley emphasized Paul’s prudence in avoiding unnecessary danger while pursuing his calling. In modern mission training, the passage is used to teach cultural sensitivity (waiting through Jewish festivals) and team-based travel.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- A Calm Departure Amidst Chaos, Paul waits for the uproar to cease before leaving. He does not panic or flee; he pastors the flock even at the cost of delay.
- Strategic Pastoral Travel, He goes through Macedonia and Greece, strengthening the churches with “many words.” Ministry is not just planting but watering.
- Companions on the Road, The list of seven men from different regions shows the unity of Paul’s circle and the partnership of the churches in the mission to Jerusalem.
Five-point outline
- Patience in Crisis, Paul stays until calm returns, putting the church’s stability before his own travel plans.
- Intentional Farewell, He summons the disciples, encourages them, and says goodbye. Ministry never leaves without blessing.
- Flexible but Resolute, When a plot forces a route change, he adapts without abandoning his purpose.
- Delegation and Partnership, The companions go ahead, showing trust and team coordination.
- Time for Everything, Waiting through Passover and the seven days at Troas reveal a man who respects seasons and builds margin into his schedule.
Illustration hooks
- A pastor finishing his term at a church chooses not to announce until the annual business meeting is resolved, he stays to ensure peace, not to avoid pain.
- During a project crisis, a leader resists the urge to resign immediately; instead, she helps the team stabilize before moving on.
- At the airport, a traveller who misses a flight due to a long farewell discovers the original plane had a delay, sometimes waiting is the fastest route.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I know when to stay in a difficult situation and when to leave?
- Why does Paul’s farewell feel so deliberate? Is my own way of leaving people behind as caring?
- What does it mean that a plan can change without being abandoned?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows us a leader who balances calmness in crisis, care for people, and flexibility in strategy. Paul’s departure from Ephesus is not a flight but a step forward in obedience to the Spirit’s leading (Acts 19:21). As you read these verses, notice how relationships and timing matter as much as destinations.
Discussion questions
- What does Paul’s decision to wait for the uproar to cease tell you about his priorities?
- Why do you think “encouraging them with many words” is mentioned twice in vv.1-2? How important are words in pastoral care?
- Paul changes his travel plans because of a plot (v.3). Is this cautious, wise, or fearful? Support your view from the text.
- The list of companions includes men from different cities and backgrounds. What does this suggest about Paul’s mission model?
- Luke says “we sailed” in v.6. Why does the author include himself here? How does this affect the story’s reliability?
- How can we apply Paul’s pattern of taking time (three months, seven days) to our own impatient culture?
- What would it look like for our church to “accompany” missionaries or leaders the way these men did?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 48:10 | Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn’t see well. Joseph brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. |
| I Samuel 20:41 | As soon as the boy was gone, David arose out of the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another and wept with one another, and David wept the most. |
| I Samuel 20:42 | Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have both sworn in Yahweh’s name, saying, ‘Yahweh is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city. |
| Acts 11:26 | When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. |
| Acts 16:9 | A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.” |
| Acts 19:21 | Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” |
| Acts 19:23 | About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way. |
| Acts 19:41 | When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that a Jewish plot to attack Paul's ship forced him to abandon a direct sea route, taking a longer land journey through Macedonia instead. This detour gave the Macedonian churches an unexpected second visit from Paul, turning their enemies' scheme into an unintended blessing.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights Paul's careful prudence in waiting until the Ephesian riot fully ended before departing, both to avoid any appearance of cowardice and to leave the church in peace. He also notes that, when a plot forced Paul to change his travel plans, this redirection revealed God's protective care and wisdom.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB reads this travel account as a compressed narrative that only yields its full meaning when supplemented by details from Paul's own epistles. He traces the apostle's movements through Macedonia and Greece, noting that the three months at Corinth included writing the letter to the Romans, and that a Jewish conspiracy
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Paul's departure from Ephesus after the uproar marks a turning point in his ministry. From here onward, the apostle never again breaks fresh ground preaching where Christ was not named, because he soon becomes a prisoner and remains one to the end of the book.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the ambush against Paul was set on his way to the ship, indicating a narrowly avoided attack. He also observes the shift in Paul's traveling companions: some left for Asia, while Trophimus and Aristarchus remained, and Luke's use of "we" shows the writer rejoining Paul at this point.