Acts 20

20:1-2 Paul traveled to Macedonia, where he encouraged the believers in all the towns, including Thessalonica, Philippi, and Berea. He also continued to gather the offering for the needy in Jerusalem (see Rom 15:25-28; 2 Cor 8:1–9:15). Titus met Paul in Macedonia with a report from Corinth, which prompted Paul to write 2 Corinthians and send Titus back carrying it (2 Cor 7:5-7; 8:6).

20:2-3 From Macedonia, Paul traveled down to Greece—i.e., Corinth in the province of Achaia (see study note on 18:1)—where he stayed for three months (cp. 2 Cor 13:1). Paul probably wrote his letter to the Romans during this time (see Romans Book Introduction, “Date, Place, and Occasion of Writing”). • a plot . . . against his life: Cp. Acts 9:23-25, 28-30; 23:12-35; 25:3.

20:4 Paul’s traveling companions were disciples from Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia, whom he was mentoring and equipping to lead (cp. 2 Tim 2:2).

20:5-15 This is another of the “we” passages in Acts (see study note on 16:10). Luke apparently rejoined Paul at Philippi, where Luke had remained several years earlier, and journeyed with Paul to Jerusalem (21:1-18).

20:7-12 On the first day of the week the early church commemorated Jesus’ resurrection (see Mark 16:9; cp. John 20:19; Rev 1:10). • This was Paul’s last visit to Troas, which included gathering to share in the Lord’s Supper. This meal probably included both communion and a common meal (cp. Acts 2:42, 46; Jude 1:12). • The remarkable feature of this gathering was the understated miraculous restoration of Eutychus, the young man who fell asleep on a windowsill and dropped three stories to his death (cp. Acts 9:36-41).

20:13-15 Assos was a key 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 of major importance on the trade routes from Asia Minor to the west and from the Aegean Sea to Egypt.

20:16 The Festival of Pentecost was one of the three Jewish pilgrimage festivals (see study note on 2:1-4).

20:17 Miletus was a major port on the western coast of Asia Minor at the mouth of the Meander River. It provided a place for Paul to meet briefly with the elders of Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem.

20:18-38 Paul’s address to the elders of the church of Ephesus is a testimony regarding his life and ministry in Ephesus, calling for similar dedication from the leaders who would carry on the ministry. The sermon highlights Paul’s integrity and pastoral care (20:18-21, 26, 31), speaks about the future (20:22-23, 25, 29-30), warns against false teachers (20:29-30), and exhorts the elders to be watchful and faithful (20:28, 31). Paul modeled sacrificial, conscientious, servant leadership.

20:23 the Holy Spirit tells me: See, e.g., 21:10-12.

20:26 I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault: Cp. Ezek 3:16-21.

20:28 Paul refers to the church as God’s people and God’s flock (cp. 1 Pet 2:25; 5:2, 4). Elsewhere the church is called the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27; Eph 1:23; 4:12; Col 1:24); the bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2; Rev 19:7; see Eph 5:25-32); the temple of the living God (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16); a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession (1 Pet 2:9); and God’s field, God’s building (1 Cor 3:9). • Paul expected the leaders to feed and shepherd the church over which the Holy Spirit had appointed them as leaders (see 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-7; 1 Pet 5:1-4; cp. Acts 6:2-4).

20:29-30 vicious wolves: Paul’s prophecy did in fact happen, prompting him to write to Timothy in Ephesus some five years later (see 1 Tim 1:3-7, 19-20; 4:1-5; see also Matt 7:15; 10:16; Mark 13:22; Luke 10:3; 2 Pet 2:1-22; 3:3).

20:35 ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’: This saying of Jesus is not recorded in the Gospels.

20:38 The poignancy of the occasion was heightened by awareness that they would never see him again (20:25).