Acts 20:1-6 Meaning: When Paul Waited
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meaning in one sentence
After the Ephesian riot, Paul didn't flee. He waited, encouraged believers, and traveled wisely despite plots.
Context
Acts 20 opens just after the riot in Ephesus had finally quieted down. Paul had already told the believers he would be moving on, but he did not slip away in the middle of the chaos. He waited until the commotion ended, then called the disciples together. Luke shows Paul's priority: encourage the church before leaving. He traveled through Macedonia, strengthening the churches he had planted years earlier. In Greece he stayed three months, likely in Corinth, writing letters and planning his next steps. When a Jewish plot threatened his sea voyage, he changed plans and went back through Macedonia by land. A group of representatives from several churches accompanied him, carrying offerings for Jerusalem. Luke, the writer, rejoined Paul in Philippi after Passover, and they sailed together to Troas.
Key Words
The Greek word behind encouraged (vv. 1-2) is parakaleō. It means to call alongside, to comfort, to urge. Paul did not just wave goodbye. He spoke words that strengthened people’s hearts. The same word is used for the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete. His ministry was personal and sustaining.
When he said farewell, the verb is aspazomai, which can mean to embrace or kiss. It is the warm gesture of a friend taking leave, like the parting of David and Jonathan (1 Sam 20:41).
And then there is the plot: epiboulē, a deliberate plan laid against him. The word carries the idea of lying in wait. Paul did not ignore the danger. He changed his route. Wisdom, not fear, guided his decision.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians from many traditions have found encouragement here. Reformed commentators like Calvin note Paul’s steadfastness and God’s preservation of the church amid turmoil. Anglican scholars highlight the careful timeline, showing Paul’s intentionality. Methodist writers like Clarke emphasize the pastoral heart, Paul took time to encourage before moving on. The list of traveling companions is seen as evidence of unity among the Gentile churches, representing different regions. All traditions agree that this narrative portrays a faithful leader who balances boldness with caution, always putting the good of the churches first.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Paul left Ephesus because the riot scared him away. In fact, he had already planned to go (Acts 19:21). He waited until the uproar settled, then called the disciples to encourage them. He was not fleeing; he was leaving thoughtfully. The later change of route due to the plot was not cowardice but prudence, showing trust in God’s leading through wise decisions.
Living This Out
You might not be traveling between ancient cities, but you do face transitions. Leaving a job, moving to a new place, ending a season. The way you leave matters. Paul did not just slip out. He gathered people, he encouraged them, he said goodbye personally. This week, if you are in a transition, consider who needs a word of encouragement from you before you go. And if your plans get disrupted by opposition or danger, ask God for wisdom to adapt, not to give up. Travel with others when you can. You are not meant to go alone.
Main takeaway: Faithful leaders encourage others before they go, adapt wisely when plans change, and never travel alone.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul waited until the big noise stopped. Then he hugged his friends and said goodbye nicely. He went to new places to tell people about Jesus.
For ages 9, 12
Paul had planned to leave Ephesus, but he didn’t rush out during the riot. He waited until things were calm, then gathered the believers to encourage them. Even when some people plotted to harm him, he didn’t panic. He changed his route and traveled with friends. This shows us that it’s important to care for people before you leave, and to be wise when things get hard.
Questions People Ask
Why did Paul leave Ephesus in Acts 20?
Paul had already planned to go to Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 19:21). He left after the uproar ceased, not because of fear but according to his plan, and he took time to encourage the disciples before departing.
Who traveled with Paul in Acts 20:4?
The group included Sopater of Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. They accompanied Paul to carry the collection for Jerusalem and represent their churches.
What does 'after the days of Unleavened Bread' mean in Acts 20:6?
The days of Unleavened Bread refer to the Passover festival. Paul stayed in Philippi during that week, showing he kept fellowship with the Jewish Christian community and likely celebrated the feast with them.
How did Paul respond to the Jewish plot in Acts 20:3?
When the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, Paul decided to return through Macedonia by land instead. He avoided unnecessary danger without abandoning his mission, showing prudence and trust in God's leading.
What is the 'we' passage in Acts 20?
The first person plural 'we' (Acts 20:5-6) indicates that Luke, the writer, had rejoined Paul in Philippi. This section is part of the 'we' passages in Acts where Luke is an eyewitness to the events.
For pastors & researchers
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