Tyndale Open Study NotesActs 20

Paul traveled to Macedonia, where he encouraged Christians in towns like Thessalonica, Philippi, and Berea. He also continued collecting donations for needy Christians in Jerusalem (see Romans 15:25–28; 2 Corinthians 8:1–9:15).

Titus met Paul in Macedonia with news from Corinth, prompting Paul to write 2 Corinthians and send Titus back with the letter (2 Corinthians 7:5–7; 8:6).

• Paul traveled from Macedonia to Greece, specifically Corinth in Achaia, where he stayed for three months (see study note on 18:1 and 2 Corinthians 13:1). During this time, Paul probably wrote his letter to the Romans (see Romans Book Introduction, “Date, Place, and Occasion of Writing”).

• a plot against him: See Acts 9:23–25, 28–30; 23:12–35; 25:3.

Paul's travel companions were disciples from Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia. He was teaching and preparing them to lead (compare 2 Timothy 2:2).

This is another of the “we” passages in Acts (sections where Luke includes himself in the story; see study note on 16:10). Luke likely joined Paul again at Philippi, where he had stayed some years earlier. He then traveled with Paul to Jerusalem (21:1–18).

• On the first day of the week, the early church remembered the resurrection of Jesus (see Mark 16:9; compare John 20:19; Revelation 1:10).

• This was Paul’s last visit to Troas. The believers met to share the Lord’s Supper (a meal that remembers Jesus’s death). This likely included both the bread and cup (communion) and a shared meal (compare Acts 2:42, 46; Jude 1:12).

• One notable part of this gathering was the quiet miracle involving Eutychus. He was a young man who fell asleep while sitting in a window. He fell three stories and died. Paul went down, bent over him, and took him in his arms. Then Eutychus was restored to life (God brought him back to life through Paul; compare Acts 9:36–41).

• Assos was an important city in Mysia on the east coast of the Aegean Sea.

• Mitylene was the most strategic city on the island of Lesbos.

• The island of Samos was crucial for trade routes from Asia Minor to the west and from the Aegean Sea to Egypt.

The Feast of Pentecost was one of the three Jewish feasts that required Jewish men to travel to Jerusalem and worship (see study note on 2:1–4).

Miletus was a major sea port on the western coast of Asia Minor at the opening of the Meander River. Paul met briefly with the elders of the church of Ephesus there on his way to Jerusalem.

Paul’s message to the elders (leaders) of the church in Ephesus describes his life and work among them. He also calls these leaders to show the same kind of commitment as they continue the ministry.

In this message, Paul points to his own life as an example. He shows his honesty and care for people (20:18–21, 26, 31). He also speaks about what will happen in the future (20:22–23, 25, 29–30). He warns them about false teachers (people who teach wrong ideas about God; 20:29–30). And he urges the elders to stay alert and faithful (20:28, 31).

Through his example, Paul shows what it means to lead as a servant, with sacrifice and careful attention.

the Holy Spirit warns me: See, for example, 21:10–12.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men: Compare Ezekiel 3:16–21.

• Paul describes the church as God’s people and God’s flock (a group cared for by a shepherd; compare 1 Peter 2:25; 5:2, 4). In other places, the church is described as:

  • "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:23; 4:12; Colossians 1:24);

  • the "bride" of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7; see Ephesians 5:25–32;

  • "God's temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16).

  • "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession" (1 Peter 2:9); and

  • "God's field, God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:9).

• Paul expected the leaders to care for and guide the church, like shepherds care for their flock. The Holy Spirit had appointed them to this role (see 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–7; 1 Peter 5:1–4; compare Acts 6:2–4).

savage wolves: Paul’s prophecy did in fact happen, prompting him to write to Timothy in Ephesus some five years later (see 1 Timothy 1:3–7, 19–20; 4:1–5; see also Matthew 7:15; 10:16; Mark 13:22; Luke 10:3; 2 Peter 2:1–22; 3:3).

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’: This saying of Jesus does not appear in the Gospels.

The occasion felt more emotional because the church at Ephesus knew they would never see Paul again (20:25).