Acts 20 Commentary

Paul returns to Macedonia, then Greece, to encourage the believers there. When he decides to sail home to Antioch, he learns of a plot against him. Rather than sail from Greece, he goes back north to Macedonia. He and eight co-ministers cross over the Aegean Sea from Macedonia to Asia Minor.

While in the city of Troas, Paul spends the night teaching the Troas believers. One of them, a young boy, falls asleep and drops out of a window to his death. Paul embraces the boy’s body and he comes back to life. Everyone is relieved. Paul then teaches until dawn, before leaving the city.

Paul’s team sails from Troas to Assos, while Paul journeys by land. They reunite in Assos, and sail to Mitylene. From Mitylene they sail south, eventually making port in Miletus, which is a city not far from Ephesus. Paul purposefully avoided stopping in Ephesus, because his intention is to be in Jerusalem in time for the holy day of Pentecost.

While in Miletus, Paul summons the Ephesian elders to leave Ephesus and meet with him. He gives them a final farewell, in which he reminds them of how he taught them the gospel faithfully for years. Paul tells them that the Holy Spirit has warned him that he will suffer and be arrested in Jerusalem, but he reassures the elders that he is not worried about his life. His purpose is to preach the gospel and suffer for Christ’s sake.

Paul tells the Ephesian elders they will never see him again. He warns them to be on guard for themselves and the people in their church, because false teachers will come in to corrupt the truth, like wolves attacking a flock of sheep. The elders’ job is to protect the flock and trust in Christ. Paul reminds them to remember his example, and to faithfully live out God’s word in their lives so that they might receive the inheritance of Christ. Lastly, he reminds them to give generously and bless those who are needy. The elders weep and embrace Paul, and see him off to his ship.