Acts 20:15-16 Meaning: Why Paul Sailed Past Ephesus
15Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.
16For 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 in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
15And 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.
16For 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.
15And 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.
16For 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.
15and thence having sailed, on the morrow we came over-against Chios, and the next day we arrived at Samos, and having remained in Trogyllium, on the following day we came to Miletus,
16for Paul decided to sail past Ephesus, that there may not be to him a loss of time in Asia, for he hasted, if it were possible for him, on the day of the Pentecost to be at Jerusalem.
15and having sailed thence, on the morrow arrived opposite Chios, and the next day put in at Samos; and having stayed at Trogyllium, the next day we came to Miletus:
16for Paul thought it desirable to sail by Ephesus, so that he might not be made to spend time in Asia; for he hastened, if it was possible for him, to be the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem.
Meaning in one sentence
Discover why Paul hurried past Ephesus and what his route reveals about his mission. See the pastoral wisdom in this travel narrative.
Context
Paul is on his final journey to Jerusalem, carrying a collection for the believers there. He has left Troas after raising Eutychus from death, and now he and his companions sail along the coast of Asia Minor. The route takes them past the island of Chios, then to Samos, an overnight stay at the promontory of Trogyllium, and finally to Miletus. These are not random ports-of-call. Luke charts the itinerary carefully to show something important: Paul deliberately decides not to stop at Ephesus, even though it lies directly on their path. He is hurrying to reach Jerusalem in time for the feast of Pentecost, not out of legal obligation, but because he knows the city will be crowded with Jewish pilgrims from every nation. It is a preaching opportunity he cannot afford to miss. Yet he does not abandon the Ephesian church. Once at Miletus, he sends word for the elders of Ephesus to come meet him, and he will spend his time with them in a moving farewell.
Key Words
Three Greek words in these two verses carry the weight of Paul's urgency. The first is παραπλεῦσαι (parapleusai), a verb that means 'to sail past' or 'to sail by.' It is not a neutral word. Choosing to sail by a city, especially one as dear as Ephesus, takes resolve. Paul is not drifting; he is steering away from a place he loves because he has a greater goal in view.
The second word is χρονοτριβῆσαι (chronotribēsai), which appears only here in the New Testament. It literally means 'to wear away time' or 'to rub time thin.' Luke uses it to say Paul feared he would be delayed, not lazily, but because the believers in Ephesus would want to linger with him. To 'fritter away time' (as one commentator put it) is a luxury this journey cannot afford.
The third is ἔσπευδεν (espeuden), from the root σπεύδω (speudō), meaning 'to hasten' with an earnest desire. It is not frantic rushing; it is the purposeful pace of a man who knows exactly what he is about. Paul's haste is fueled by love for the gospel and for the people he hopes to reach at Pentecost.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen different layers in this brief travel log. Reformed commentators like Calvin emphasize that Paul's haste was not for mere ritual observance of Pentecost; he wanted to seize the opportunity to preach the kingdom to the great crowds gathering in Jerusalem. Wesleyan interpreter Adam Clarke agrees, noting that Paul hoped for a renewal of the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out and many were converted. Others observe the pastoral wisdom in the decision. By sending for the Ephesian elders to come to Miletus, Paul avoids the delays of a city visit while still attending to the church's needs. The Cambridge Bible notes that a large congregation like Ephesus would have caused many interruptions. In every reading, readers see a man who measures time not by the clock but by the spread of the good news.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume Paul sailed past Ephesus because he was angry with the church there or had given up on them. In fact, just the opposite is true. He bypassed the city to save time, but he still cared deeply for the believers. As soon as he reached Miletus, he sent for the Ephesian elders and spent hours with them in heartfelt counsel and prayer. His decision was not rejection; it was a strategic choice driven by love for the gospel and for the church at large.
Living This Out
What is the one thing you are hurrying toward this week? Paul's urgency was not about being busy for its own sake. He knew his purpose: to bring the good news to as many people as possible, even if that meant making hard choices about where to spend his time. This week, you might face decisions about your schedule, your commitments, your priorities. Not every good opportunity is the right one. Sometimes loving the people closest to you means saying no to other good things so you can be fully present when it matters. Paul's route through the islands is a quiet lesson in intentionality. Ask yourself: What goal is worth sailing past a few good ports to reach?
Main takeaway: Love for the gospel may require us to make hard choices about our time, even skipping good things for the sake of a greater purpose.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul was on a boat trip, and he had to pass by a city he loved. But he was in a hurry to get to a big party in Jerusalem where he could tell lots of people about Jesus. Sometimes we have to skip fun things to do something even more important.
For ages 9, 12
Paul had friends in Ephesus he wanted to see, but he knew if he stopped there, he would get sidetracked and miss his chance to share the gospel with thousands of people at the Pentecost festival in Jerusalem. So he sailed right past, and later called the Ephesian leaders to meet him at Miletus. That's a good lesson: sometimes you have to delay one good thing to accomplish something even bigger. It's not about being in a rush; it's about knowing what really matters.
Questions People Ask
Why did Paul sail past Ephesus instead of visiting the church there?
Paul decided to skip Ephesus because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. He knew that if he visited Ephesus, the believers would want to spend time with him, and he would lose valuable days. He still cared for the Ephesian church, so he called its elders to meet him in Miletus instead.
What is the significance of the day of Pentecost in this passage?
Pentecost was one of the three major Jewish feasts, when thousands of pilgrims from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem. Paul wanted to be there because it was a huge opportunity to preach the gospel to a diverse crowd. He also carried a collection from the Gentile churches for the believers in Jerusalem, and Pentecost was a fitting time to deliver it.
Why does Luke list all the ports Paul stopped at?
Luke includes the specific islands and harbors (Chios, Samos, Trogyllium, Miletus) to show the precise route and to emphasize Paul's determination. The itinerary highlights how deliberately Paul bypassed Ephesus. It also gives historical credibility to the account, as these locations were well-known to readers at the time.
What does the Greek word 'chronotribesai' mean in verse 16?
The word 'chronotribesai' (χρονοτριβῆσαι) means 'to wear away time' or 'to spend time.' It combines 'chronos' (time) with a root meaning 'to rub', so it carries the sense of frittering time away. Luke uses it to show Paul's concern that visiting Ephesus would lead to unavoidable delays, not laziness but the natural pull of a beloved church.
Did Paul abandon the Ephesian church by sailing past?
No. Paul's decision to bypass Ephesus was strategic, not a rejection. He immediately sent for the Ephesian elders to come to Miletus, where he gave them a long, emotional farewell address. His actions show he was still deeply committed to their spiritual care, even when he had to make hard choices about his itinerary.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study