Preface: Paul continues his 3^rd missionary journey. He travels around Macedonia and Greece; Paul raises the lad Eutychus from the dead; and then he bids a sad farewell to the elders of Ephesus, revealing a pretty extensive understanding of Church Age doctrines.

Bible Summary: We sailed to Troas. Paul raised Eutychus after he fell from the window. Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders to care for the flock.

The “Key” & Main Points of Chapter 20 (a chart); from Slide Player; accessed June 30, 2022.

This should be the most extensive examination of Acts 20 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Brief Overview: (taken from Light of the Word; accessed April 22, 2022).

Time and Place as per Modern Literal Version 2020:

{May 58 to March 59 AD. Games in honor of Artemis at Ephesus. 10 months in Europe (Macedonia & Greece). Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians is written.}

{AD 58, Paul’s Letter to the Romans is written. Luke joins Paul.}

{Early 59 AD. Miletus.}

Outline of Chapter 20:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–3           Paul Travels Around Macedonia and Greece for a Time

         vv.     4–6           Paul’s Associates Around the Aegean Sea

         vv.     7–12         Paul Raises a Young Man from the Dead

         vv.    13–16         Paul Sails Along the Western Coast of Asia Minor

         vv.    17–38         Paul Gives a Lengthy Farewell Message to the Leaders of the Church from Ephesus

         vv.        17–21        Paul’s grace message to the Jews and Greeks in Ephesus

         vv.        22–24        Paul believes that he needs to go to Jerusalem

         vv.        25–28        Paul’s accurate teaching

         vv.        29–31        Paul warns them about wolves

         vv.        32–35        Paul’s closing remarks

         vv.        36–38        Paul and the elders of Ephesus part company

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               Brief Overview

         Preface               The “Key” & Main Points of Chapter 20 (a chart)

         Preface               Quotations

Doctrines Alluded to

Chapters of the Bible Alluded To or Appropriately Exegeted with this Chapter

Dictionary of Terms

         Introduction         Introduction to Acts 20

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Acts 20 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Acts 20 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Acts 20

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel to Acts 20

         Introduction         The Principals of Acts 20

         Introduction         The Places of Acts 20

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Acts 20

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Acts 20 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Acts 20 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Acts 18–23)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

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         v.       1              Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 20 map)

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         v.       6              The Aegean Sea (a map)

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         v.       9              Ancient House with Windows (a photograph)

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         v.      14              Aegean Sea in New Testament (a map)

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         v.      16              The Aegean Sea and Asia Minor (a map)

         v.      16              Samos, Pythagoras, and Acts 20:15 (Dr. Carl Rasmussen)

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         v.      32              The Doctrine of Deposits (R. B. Thieme, Jr.)

         v.      32              Grace in the Life of the Believer

         v.      32              The God-ward and Man-ward Sides of the Edification Complex

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Acts 20 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Acts 20

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Acts 20

         Summary 

         Summary            Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (a map)

         Addendum          Footnote for Acts 20:1 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Bible Commentary on Acts 20:1–5

         Addendum          Footnote for Acts 20:7 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Bible Commentary on Acts 20:6–12

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Bible Commentary on Acts 20:13–16

         Addendum          Footnote for Acts 20:17 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Bible Commentary on Acts 20:17–21

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Bible Commentary on Acts 20:22–27

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Bible Commentary on Acts 20:28–31

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Bible Commentary on Acts 20:32–35

         Addendum          Kretzmann’s Bible Commentary on Acts 20:36–38

         Addendum 

         Addendum 

         Addendum 

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Acts 20

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Acts 20

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Acts 20

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Acts 20

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An Introduction to Acts 20

I ntroduction: Paul began his 3^rd missionary tour back at the end of Acts 18. With Acts 19-20, we get less of a list of cities and more detail about the things which took place. This adventure is going to continue into Acts 21, but at that point, Paul will go off-script, and head toward Jerusalem when such a move is unwarranted.

Acts 20 is a very transitional sort of chapter. Whereas Acts 19 was all about Paul in Ephesus for an extended period of time, in Acts 20, we see Paul moving about in this same region (he is traveling in the cities which surround the Aegean Sea—so he is in Greece, Macedonia and Galatia), but he does not appear to want to stay anywhere for an extended period of time (as he did in Ephesus). Throughout this chapter, Paul seems to be hearing the siren call of Jerusalem and the celebration of the holy days there.

We are not given a careful time frame for Paul’s time west of the Aegean Sea, apart from spending about three months in Greece. His desire is to get on a ship, sail back to Antioch, and from there, go to Jerusalem for the holy days which were approaching. The Days of Unleavened Bread have passed (Acts 20:6), and Paul is thinking that he would like to be in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). So we are talking about a 50 day interval, during which Paul wants to leave the cities of the Aegean Sea and head to Antioch and then to Jerusalem (Acts 20:3, 16).

I believe that God wants Paul to remain in this region and continue teaching; however, God also knows that Paul will not, despite receiving many warnings (Acts 20:3, 22–23 21:4, etc.). What we will find in this chapter is, Paul has begun to train a number of well-qualified believers to act in his absence. Remember how Apollos came forward and stepped into Paul’s shoes in Ephesus, to take up the slack (back at the beginning of Acts 19)? Paul is wrong to abandon all of this positive volition; but he is not going to leave these cities orphans. There are seven leaders named in Acts 20:4 who were apparently trained by Paul. Luke, along with some others, will also join the group (notice the we in Acts 20:6–7). Paul will also speak to a group of elders from Ephesus at the end of this chapter (Acts 20:17–38).

I have left out, in this introduction, one very important incident, along with a travelogue that follows it. When Paul is in Troas, he begins teaching, and apparently, neither he nor his audience want him to stop. This takes place in the upper room of a building (the third floor), and one of the young men there, feeling exhausted and lacking oxygen, falls out the window to his death around midnight. Paul goes downstairs and outside, where the body is, and God, through Paul, brings the boy back to life (strictly speaking, this is a resuscitation rather resurrection). Acts 20:7–12

Although this may seem like an odd incident, given all the other things which take place in this chapter, God is revealing that Paul—despite being on the verge of making a very big geographic will of God error—is still the man to listen to when it comes to the teaching of Bible doctrine of this new (post-resurrection of Christ) age. No one will be able to say, “Listen, Paul is going down to Jerusalem. He is obviously out of the will of God. There is no reason for us to listen to him anymore.” No one could say anything like that, because God, through Paul, raises a youth from the dead. So, despite Paul making some bad decisions, God is still teaching the entire nascent church principally from Paul’s pulpit.

Acts 20:13–16 simply tells us how Paul went from the cities west of the Aegean Sea to those east. The final verse of this section tells us of Paul’s intention, and, quite frankly, he is wrong. What he plans to do and where he plans to go is outside of God’s will. Although Paul is in error to choose to go to leaven this fertile missionary ground and go to Jerusalem, Luke sticks with Paul throughout the rest of this historical narrative of Acts.

Now, where does God want Paul to be? God wants Paul to remain in the mostly gentile world of the Roman empire and to eventually go to Rome (and perhaps as far out as Spain) to present the gospel and the teachings of the Church Age. So, despite Paul’s predilections and emotionally being drawn to Jerusalem, God is going to get Paul into the right places (I have just given you the rest of the narrative of Acts 21–28).

Let me say something strange for a conservative, Bible-believing Christian: I believe that Paul, for the most part, developed Church Age doctrine or the fundamental teaching for the new age. Moses wrote down exactly what God told him to write down, but I am not finding that same approach in the book of Acts. There are two things which I observe: (1) in the book of Acts, there does not appear to be a fully developed theology in any of the teaching which I have heard so far presented in the book of Acts. (2) Paul’s teaching appears to develop from simple (either letter to the Thessalonians or the letter to the Galatians) and then grow and build considerably (as in Romans or Ephesians). That is, what we understand to be the guiding principles for us in the Church Age was developed, for the most part, by the Apostle Paul—and this was a process. There was not a point at which Paul knew it all and taught that.

God knew Church Age doctrine from eternity past; but this does not mean that He wrote it down somewhere, and Paul studied it, learned it and then taught it. Paul, as a believer with doctrine, put together the teaching for the New Testament as a logical outgrowth from the Age of Israel. Just as the book of Hebrews is a very logical outgrowth from the teaching of the Old Testament added to the fact that Messiah came to Israel and paid for the sins of all mankind. The unknown author of Hebrews logically followed out what we know from the Old Testament and built a structure, if you will, on top of that.

Nearly half of this chapter is Paul speaking to the Ephesian elders—this is, in fact, quite an extensive talk to be recorded from Paul. This should help us to get a snapshot of where he is theologically speaking at this time; and we ought to see bits and pieces of what Paul knows, understands, and will later write about (particularly in his earliest letters to the churches).

At the same time, Paul seems to be very willing to abandon a teaching post where there is maximum positive volition (Ephesus) to go to a place where their interest in the new program of God is questionable (Jerusalem). As we have already seen, Jerusalem is more than willing to return to the Law of Moses in a big way, not appreciating fully Who Jesus is and what He has done. We should expect to read about Paul justifying his choice here in such a way as to belie his emotions and confusion on this issue. Obviously, we are going to have to carefully discern between the nascent doctrines of the church and Paul’s personal justification for what he is doing. Rightly dividing the truth between these two competing interests may be less complex than we might suppose.

This period of time is far more productive for Paul than any other previous time. He will cover a lot of ground, he will do a lot of teaching, and he will write some very consequential letters (2Corinthians and Romans).

One of the aspects of this chapter ought to be fascinating—Paul seems to be developing the entire realm of Church Age doctrine pretty much on his own (or so it would seem). God does not call Paul to come up to some mountain where He lays everything out for him (as God did for Moses). But what does Paul the Apostle have that Moses did not have? The indwelling of God the Holy Spirit. Knowing this is key to understanding that Paul, almost single-handedly, developed the Church Age doctrines by which we live today.

I should point out that circumstances of Paul’s travels and what is taking place in the local churches themselves is contributing to Paul’s concept of what this new age should be. In other words, Paul is not simply coming up with the doctrines and practices completely on his own, as moved by the Holy Spirit, but his encounters with previously-established local churches helps to inform his thinking.

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Paul Travels Around Macedonia and Greece for a Time

We are in the midst of Paul’s third missionary journey. Most commentators have this taking place a.d. 54–57 or 54–58. It is covered in Acts 19–21. As you will recall, Acts 19 took place in Ephesus; and Paul was there for two years. So what we study in this and the next chapter takes place over a period of one or two years.

We will see at the end that Paul is emotionally drawn to Jerusalem, but God does not want him there. We have seen previously that, when God wanted Paul to stay longer, but he did not (back in Acts 18), God took up the slack with Apollos.

Like all believers, Paul is going to make good and bad decisions. The closer that Paul gets to Jerusalem, the more bad decisions he will make. God is able to work out His plan, despite the many bad decisions that we make. In fact, God will use Paul’s bad decisions regarding Jerusalem as a chance for Paul to record some of the greatest of the Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon—all written circa 60–62 a.d.).

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    Now, after stopping the turmoil, having sent the Paul the disciples, and having exhorted [them and] embraced [them], he went out to travel to Macedonia. Now going through the regions, those (ones), and exhorting them with a word—many—he went to the Helles. And producing in months—three—, having come to be a plot to him by the Jews. Being about to be launched to the Syria, he had become of an opinion to return through Macedonia.

Complete Apostles’ Bible      Now after the disturbance had ceased, Paul, summoning the disciples and greeting them, went away to go to Macedonia.

And going through those parts, and encouraging them with many words, he came to Greece

and spent three months there. And as a plot by the Jews developed against him, as he was to put to sea for Syria, a decision came about to return through Macedonia.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And after the tumult was ceased, Paul calling to him the disciples and exhorting them, took his leave and set forward to go into Macedonia.

And when he had gone over those parts and had exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece:

Where, when he had spent three months, the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria. So he took a resolution to return through Macedonia.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        And after that disturbance had ceased, Paulus {Paul} called for The Talmiyde {The Disciples/The Students}, and encouraged them, and kissed them, and went out, departing unto Maqedunia {Macedonia}.

And after he had gone around unto those regions and comforted them with many words, he came unto the region of Helas {Greece},

and was there three months. Then, when he was prepared to go unto Suria {Syria}, the Yehudaye {the Judeans/the Jews} made a plot against him, and he determined that he should return unto Maqedunia {Macedonia}.

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And after the tumult had subsided, Paul called the disciples to him, and comforted them, and kissed them, and departed, and went into Macedonia.

And when he had travelled over those regions, and had comforted them with many discourses, he proceeded to the country of Greece.

And he was there three months. And the Jews formed a plot against him, when he was about to go to Syria: and he contemplated returning to Macedonia.

Original Aramaic NT              And after the uproar had ceased, Paulus called the disciples and comforted them and kissed them, and he departed and went to Macedonia.

And when he traveled those regions and comforted them with many words, he came to the country of Greece.

And he was there three months, but the Jews made a plot against him when he was going to leave for Syria and planned to return to Macedonia.

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And after the noise had come to an end, Paul, having sent for the disciples and given them comfort, went away from them to Macedonia. 

And when he had gone through those parts and given them much teaching, he came into Greece. 

And when he had been there three months, because the Jews had made a secret design against him when he was about to take ship for Syria, he made a decision to go back through Macedonia.

Bible in Worldwide English     When everything was quiet, Paul called the disciples. He talked to them so they would not be afraid. Then he said goodbye and left. He went to Macedonia. He went through that country and talked to the people. He helped them to believe more strongly. Then he went to Greece. He stayed there for three months. When he was ready to go to Syria by boat, he heard that the Jewish leaders were planning to catch him. So he said, I will go back through Macedonia.

Easy English                          Paul visits Macedonia and Greece again

After that, the trouble in Ephesus finished. Then Paul asked the believers to meet together with him. He spoke to them to help them. He told them to be strong and to trust God. Then he said ‘goodbye’ to them. After that he left them and he travelled on to Macedonia. He visited many places in that region. He spoke to the believers in each place. He helped them to be strong. After that, he arrived in Greece.

Paul stayed in Greece for three months. One day, he was preparing to travel to Syria by ship. But then he heard news that some Jews wanted to kill him on the journey. So he decided to travel through Macedonia and return to Jerusalem.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  When the trouble stopped, Paul invited the Lord's followers to come visit him. After encouraging them, he told them goodbye and left for Macedonia. On his way through Macedonia he had many words of encouragement for the followers in various places. Then he went to Greece and stayed there three months. Paul was ready to sail for Syria, but some Jews were planning something against him. So he decided to go back through Macedonia to Syria.

God’s Word™                         When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, said goodbye, and left for Macedonia. He went through that region and spoke many words of encouragement to the people. Then he went to Greece and stayed there for three months. When Paul was going to board a ship for Syria, he found out that the Jews were plotting to kill him. So he decided to go back through Macedonia.

Good News Bible (TEV)         After the uproar died down, Paul called together the believers and with words of encouragement said good-bye to them. Then he left and went on to Macedonia. He went through those regions and encouraged the people with many messages. Then he came to Achaia, where he stayed three months. He was getting ready to go to Syria when he discovered that there were Jews plotting against him; so he decided to go back through Macedonia.

J. B. Phillips                           Paul departs on his second journey to Europe

After this disturbance had died down, Paul sent for the disciples and after speaking encouragingly said good-bye to them, and went on his way to Macedonia. As he made his way through these districts he spoke many heartening words to the people and then went on to Greece, where he stayed for three months. V. 3b is placed with the next passage for context.

The Message                         Macedonia and Greece

With things back to normal, Paul called the disciples together and encouraged them to keep up the good work in Ephesus. Then, saying his good-byes, he left for Macedonia. Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope.

Then he came to Greece and stayed on for three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, the Jews cooked up a plot against him. So he went the other way, by land back through Macedonia, and gave them the slip.

Plain English Version             Paul went to the countries called Macedonia and Greece

Everyone in the mob went home, then Paul asked all the Christians to meet with him. He said to them, “I’m going to Macedonia country now. You have to always keep on believing in Jesus, and always be strong for him. I’m going now. Goodbye.”

Then Paul left and went to Macedonia country. He visited all the Christians in the towns and cities in Macedonia, and he told them a lot of things to help them be strong for Jesus.

Then he kept going and went to Akaya country. Another name for that country is Greece. Paul stayed in Greece for 3 months. Then he got ready to go back to Syria on a ship. But he heard that some Jewish men were going to try to kill him, so he changed his mind and didn’t go on that ship. Instead, he went by road through Macedonia country again.

NIRV                                      Paul Travels Through Macedonia and Greece

All the trouble came to an end. Then Paul sent for the believers. After encouraging them, he said goodbye. He then left for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of hope to the people. Finally he arrived in Greece. There he stayed for three months. He was just about to sail for Syria. But some Jews were making plans against him. So he decided to go back through Macedonia.

New Life Version                    Paul Goes to Greece and Macedonia

When the noise had come to an end, Paul called the followers to him. He spoke words of comfort and then said good-bye. He left to go to the country of Macedonia. As he went through those parts of the country, he spoke words of comfort and help to the Christians. Then he went on to the country of Greece. He stayed there three months. As he was about to get on a ship for the country of Syria, he learned that the Jews had made a plan to take him. He changed his plans and went back through Macedonia.

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              ACTS 20

PAUL SAYS GOODBYE AND SAILS TO JERUSALEM

PAUL CHECKS IN ON CHURCHES HE STARTED

When the city calmed down, Paul met with the believers. He encouraged them, told them goodbye, and then left for Macedonia. [1] As he passed through the towns there, he encouraged believers along the way, often talking with them for quite a while. He eventually got to Greece. He stayed there for three months. He was about to leave by boat and head back to Syria. But some Jews made plans to kill him. When he found out about it, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

¹20:1Macedonia was a region in what is now northern Greece and the Republic of Macedonia, which is just north of Greece.

Contemporary English V.       When the riot was over, Paul sent for the followers and encouraged them. He then told them good-by and left for Macedonia. As he traveled from place to place, he encouraged the followers with many messages. Finally, he went to Greece and stayed there for three months. Paul was about to sail to Syria. But some of the Jewish leaders plotted against him, so he decided to return by way of Macedonia.

Goodspeed New Testament  When the confusion was over, Paul sent for the disciples and encouraged them. Then he bade them goodbye and started for Macedonia.

After traveling through those districts and giving the people a great deal of encouragement, he went on to Greece where he stayed for three months. Just as he was going to sail for Syria, the Jews made a plot against him, and he made up his mind to return by way of Macedonia.

The Living Bible                     When it was all over, Paul sent for the disciples, preached a farewell message to them, said good-bye and left for Greece, preaching to the believers along the way in all the cities he passed through. He was in Greece three months and was preparing to sail for Syria when he discovered a plot by the Jews against his life, so he decided to go north to Macedonia first.

New Berkeley Version           .

The Passion Translation        When the uproar finally died down, Paul gathered the believers and encouraged their hearts. He kissed them, said good-bye, and left for Macedonia.  At every place he passed through, he brought words of great comfort and encouragement to the believers. Then he went on to Greece and stayed there for three months. Just as Paul was about to sail for Syria, he learned of a plot against him by the Jews, so he decided to return by going through Macedonia.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  After the people at Ephesus had stopped rioting, Paul called the believers together. He urged them to continue to trust in the Lord Jesus. Soon after that, he told them "Goodbye" and left to go to the region of Macedonia. After he arrived there, he urged them to continue to trust in the Lord Jesus. Then he went to Greece. He stayed in Greece for three months. Then he planned to return to Syria by ship, but he heard that some of the Jews there were planning to kill him as he traveled. So he decided to go by land, and he went again through Macedonia.

Williams’ New Testament      When the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and encouraged them. Then he bade them goodbye and started off for Macedonia. He passed through those districts and by continuing to talk to them encouraged the people. He then went on to Greece where he stayed three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, he changed his mind and returned by way of Macedonia, because a plot against him had been laid by the Jews.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          Well, after all the rioting was over, Paul sent for the disciples and encouraged them before he said goodbye and left for Macedonia.

Then, after traveling around there encouraging the people with many speeches, he went on to Greece, where he spent the next three months… But then the Jews [in Greece] started plotting against him.

And although he’d first decided to leave for Syria, he later changed his mind and returned through Macedonia.

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            After the time for the disruption to stop, after Paul sent for the students and encouraged them, after he said good-bye, he went out to be traveling to Macedonia. After he went through those parts and encouraged them with many messages, he came to Greece. And after he did three months there, when there became a conspiracy by the Jewish people against him as he was going to be taking off for Syria, he became of an opinion of the "to be returning through Macedonia" kind.

Common English Bible           Paul visits Macedonia and Greece

When the riot was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, said good-bye, and left for the province of Macedonia. He traveled through that region with a message of encouragement. When he came to Greece, he stayed for three months. Because the Jews hatched a plot against Paul as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided instead to return through Macedonia.

Len Gane Paraphrase           After the uproar had stopped, Paul called the disciples, embraced them, and left to go to Macedonia. When he had gone over those areas and given them a lot of encouragement, he came to Greece. He stayed there for three months. When the Jews plotted against him as he was ready to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles Now, after the tumult was ceased, Paul, calling the disciples to him: and embracing them, departed to go into Macedonia. And going through those parts, and having exhorted them with much discourse, he came into Greece. And when he had continued there three months, as an ambush was laid for him by the Jews, when he was about to embark for Syria, he thought it advisable to return by Macedonia.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       When the tumult was over, Paul summoned his disciples, to rally their spirits and bid them farewell, and set out on his journey into Macedonia. He passed through all that region, and gave them much encouragement; then he entered Greece. When he had stayed three months there, he was meaning to take ship for Syria; but, finding that the Jews were plotting against him, he resolved to go back again through Macedonia.

NT for Everyone                     Round the coast and out of the window

After the hue and cry had died down, Paul sent for the disciples. He encouraged them, said his farewells, and set off to go to Macedonia. He went through those regions, encouraging them with many words and, arriving in Greece, stayed there three months. He was intending to set sail for Syria, but the Jews made a plot against him, and he decided to return instead through Macedonia.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Conservapedia Translation    After the riot had stopped, Paul called the students (of Christ) to him, embraced them, and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone over those parts of the country, and had given them a great deal of exhortation, he came into Greece. He stayed there for three months. Then when the Jews lay in wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he decided instead to return through Macedonia.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                Through Macedonia to Troas.

After the disturbance had been quieted, Paul, calling the disciples together, comforted them and took leave, and went out to proceed into Macedonia.

And, having passed through those parts, and encouraged them with sound reason, he went into Hellas.

But after he had been there three months, a plot having been laid against him by the Judeans when he was about to embark for Syria, he considered it advisable to return through Macedonia.

International Standard V        Paul’s Trip to Macedonia and Greece

When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples and encouraged them. Then he said goodbye to them and left to go to Macedonia. He went through those regions and encouraged the people [Lit. them] with everything he had to say. Then he went to Greece and stayed there for three months. When he was about to sail for Syria, a plot was initiated against him by the Jews, so he decided to go back through Macedonia.

Weymouth New Testament    When the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and, after speaking words of encouragement to them, he took his leave, and started for Macedonia. Passing through those districts he encouraged the disciples in frequent addresses, and then came into Greece, and spent three months there. The Jews having planned to waylay him whenever he might be on the point of taking ship for Syria, he decided to travel back by way of Macedonia.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     Paul returns to Macedonia

• After the uproar died down, Paul called his disciples together to encourage them. Then he said goodbye and set out on his journey to Macedonia. He traveled through out those regions and spent himself in speaking and encouraging them. He finally arrived in Greece.

When he had been there for three months, he wanted to set sail for Syria, but as the Jews were plotting against him, he decided to re turn by way of Macedonia.

16:40

Footnote for the Christian Community Bible is in the Addendum.

The Heritage Bible                          And after the disturbance was stopped, Paul having called to himself the disciples, and embracing them, went out to go into Macedonia.

And going through those parts, and having exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece,

And spending three months, there being a plot against him by the Jews, being about to sail into Syria, it was in his knowledge to return through Macedonia.

New American Bible (2011)   Journey to Macedonia and Greece.

When the disturbance was over, Paul had the disciples summoned and, after encouraging them, he bade them farewell and set out on his journey to Macedonia.^a As he traveled throughout those regions, he provided many words of encouragement for them. Then he arrived in Greece, where he stayed for three months. But when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return by way of Macedonia.

a. [20:1] 1 Cor 16:1.

New Catholic Bible                 Journey to Macedonia and Greece.^[a] When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he embraced them and set out on his journey to Macedonia.^[b] As he traveled through those areas, he gave the believers much encouragement. Then he arrived in Greece, where he stayed for three months. A portion of v. 3 is placed with the next passage for context.

[a] This departure constitutes an important moment as indicated by the fact that Luke inserts a list of Paul’s companions. Then he describes three brief journeys: one to Greece, to revisit the communities, especially that of Corinth, which had caused some trouble; the second to Troas; and the third to Miletus, on the return route to Jerusalem.

In connection with these journeys we discover new aspects of the life of the communities. The Eucharist, which had been mentioned at the beginning of Acts (2:46), is clearly referred to here: Christians came together on Sunday (“the first day of the week”) in order to “break bread,” after a lengthy hearing of the Gospel and a communal reflection on it. The raising of the boy is a sign of the presence of the Lord; through his Resurrection, life is possible in its fullness.

[b] Paul had apparently been seeking to preach in Troas on his way to Macedonia, meet Titus at Troas with a report from Corinth (see 2 Cor 2:12f), and continue collecting the offering for Judea (see Rom 15:25-28; 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8:1—9:15).

New Jerusalem Bible             When the disturbance was over, Paul sent for the disciples and, after speaking words of encouragement to them, said good -- bye and set out for Macedonia. On his way through those areas he said many words of encouragement to them and then made his way into Greece, where he spent three months. He was leaving by ship for Syria when a plot organised against him by the Jews made him decide to go back by way of Macedonia.

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece

After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given the believers [Gk given them] much encouragement, he came to Greece, where he stayed for three months. He was about to set sail for Syria when a plot was made against him by the Jews, and so he decided to return through Macedonia.

Revised English Bible–1989   WHEN the disturbance was over, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out on his journey to Macedonia. He travelled through that region, constantly giving encouragement to the Christians, and finally reached Greece. When he had spent three months there and was on the point of embarking for Syria, a plot was laid against him by the Jews, so he decided to return by way of Macedonia.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           After the furor died down, Sha’ul sent for the talmidim and encouraged them, then took his leave and set out on his way to Macedonia. He went through that area, and, after saying much to encourage them, passed on to Greece, where he spent three months. As he was preparing to set sail for Syria, he discovered a plot against him by the unbelieving Jews; so he changed his mind and decided to return by way of Macedonia.

Hebraic Roots Bible               And after the ceasing of the tumult, having called the disciples, and having greeted them, Paul went away to go into Macedonia.

And passing through those parts, and exhorting them with much speech, he came into Greece.

And spending three months there, a plot by the Jews having occurred against him, being about to sail into Syria, he was of a mind to return through Macedonia.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    When the trouble stopped, Paul invited the students of Jesus to come visit him. He wanted to encourage them. Then Paul said goodbye and left. He went to the country of Macedonia. He encouraged the students in the different places on his way through Macedonia. He told the students many things. Then Paul went to Achaia. He stayed there three months. He was ready to sail for Syria but some Jews were planning something evil against him. So Paul decided to go back to Syria through Macedonia.

The Scriptures 2009              After the uproar had ceased, Sha’ul called the taught ones to him, and having embraced them, went away to go to Makedonia. 

And having gone through those parts, and having encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece, 

where he spent three months. When he was about to sail to Suria, he decided to return through Makedonia, as a plot was made against him by the Yehuim.

Tree of Life Version                After the uproar ended, Paul sent for the disciples; and when he had encouraged them and said farewell, he departed to go to Macedonia. When he had passed through these parts and given them a great word of encouragement, he came to Greece, where he spent three months. When a plot was formed against him by the Jewish leaders as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return via Macedonia.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...after but the+ to stop the riot Inviting The Paul the students and Calling (Near) {them} Greeting {them} proceeds to go to macedonia Passing but the portions those and Calling (Near) them [with] word much [He] comes to the greece Making also months three becoming plot [to] him by the jews intending {him} to be led (up) to the syria [He] becomes [of] purpose the+ {him} to return through macedonia...

Awful Scroll Bible                   Furthermore, after the uproar itself is to desist, Paul calling-to himself the disciples and saluting them, goes-out to proceed to Macedonia.

And going-through those parts, and with much words calling- them -by, he goes to Greece.

So making three months there, there by the Jews occurring an intent-against him, he meaning to be leading-out of a ship to Syria, there comes about a decision to turn-back-by through Macedonia.

Concordant Literal Version    Now after the tumult ceased, Paul, sending after the disciples and consoling and saluting them, came away to go into Macedonia."

Now, passing through those parts and entreating them with many a word, he came into Greece."

Besides, spending three months, at there coming to be a plot against him by the Jews, being about to set out for Syria, he came to be of the opinion that he would return through Macedonia."

exeGeses companion Bible   ON TO MACEDONIA AND HELLAS

And after the tumult pauses,

Paulos calls the disciples to him,

and salutes and departs to go into Macedonia:

and he passes through those parts,

and beseeches them with many words;

and he comes into Hellas

and does three months.

And so be it, the Yah Hudiym plot for him

as he is about to embark to Syria;

and his decision becomes to return through Macedonia:...

Orthodox Jewish Bible           And after the uproar had ended, Rav Sha'ul summoned the Moshiach's talmidim and, having exhorted them, and having taken his leave, he departed to go to Macedonia.

And having traveled through those regions and having exhorted the Moshiach's talmidim there with many words, Rav Sha'ul came to Greece.

And after he had spent shloshah chodashim there, Rav Sha'ul was about to set sail for Syria when a kesher (conspiracy) was plotted against him by the [unbelieving] Yehudim, and so Rav Sha'ul decided to return through Macedonia.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. § 34. Paul, leaving Ephesus, journeys through Macedonia and Greece back again by Philippi, thence to Troas and to Miletus.

Chapter 20.

But |after the tumult had ceased| Paulˎ sending for the disciples and exhorting themˎ took leave, and went forth to be journeying unto Macedonia. <Passing through those partsˎ however, and exhorting them with much discourse> he came into Greece; and |spending three months| <when a plot was laid against him by the Jewsˎ as he was about to sail to Syria> he determined to turn back through Macedonia.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

An Understandable Version   After the commotion died down, Paul sent for the [Ephesian] disciples and encouraged them before he left, [heading west] for Macedonia. And when he had traveled through those districts and had delivered many messages of encouragement, he went on [south] into Greece, where he spent three months. Then, just as he was about to set sail for Syria, Paul discovered that a plot was being laid against him by the Jews, so he decided to return through Macedonia.

The Expanded Bible              Paul in Macedonia and Greece

When the ·trouble stopped [uproar ended], Paul sent for the ·followers [disciples] to come to him. After he encouraged them and then told them good-bye, he left and went to Macedonia [^C northern Greece; 16:9]. He ·said many things to strengthen the followers [^L encouraged them with many words] in the different places on his way through Macedonia. Then he ·went to [arrived in] Greece [probably Achaia (southern Greece)], where he stayed for three months [^C probably in Corinth; at this time he wrote his letter to the Romans]. He was ready to sail for Syria, but some of the Jews were ·planning [plotting] something against him. So Paul decided to go back through Macedonia to Syria.

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now with (or: after) this [intervention] to cause the uproar, milling and disorderly tumult to cease, Paul – after summoning the disciples to himself, then comforting and encouraging [them], and finally giving a farewell embrace – went out to continue [his] journey into Macedonia.

So, after passing through [D adds: all] those parts and [at the same time] comforting, assisting and encouraging them with many a word and message (or: with much Logos and thought), he came into Greece.

Along with this, after doing (= spending) three months [in that area, and] there coming to be a plot against him by the Jews (or: under [the direction of the leaders of] the Jewish [religion]), being progressively about to set sail unto Syria, he suddenly came to be of the informed opinion and of the experienced decision [D reads: he intended to go back again into Syria, but the Breath-effect (Spirit) told him] to be now returning through Macedonia.

Syndein/Thieme                     And after the uproar {mob action in Ephesus} was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

{Note: Very tender scene. Leaving people with whom he had great rapport. The Greek syntax for 'departed' means a single act followed with a process. So, this verse covers a long period of time. During this time, Paul wrote II Corinthians (circa 58AD) and later Romans in (59 AD).}

And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.

And having abode there three months. And a plot by the Jews became known unto him, as he was about to sail into Syria. He made the decision to return through Macedonia {by land}.

{Note: There was a group of Jews that plotted to kill Paul - maybe a thousand Jews involved from all over. They were planning the best time to strike and were going to get him on this ship going back.}

Translation for Translators              After being in Macedonia and Greece, Paul went to Troas.

Acts 20:1-6

After the people at Ephesus had stopped rioting, Paul summoned the believers. He encouraged them to continue to trust in the Lord Jesus. Soon after that, he told them goodbye and left to go to Macedonia province. After he arrived there, he visited each town where there were believers, and encouraged them. Then he arrived in Greece province, which is also called Achaia. He stayed there for three months. Then he planned to return to Syria by ship, but he heard that some of the Jews [SYN] in that area were planning to kill him as he traveled. So he decided instead to go by land, and he traveled again through Macedonia.

The Voice                               As soon as the uproar ended, Paul gathered the disciples together, encouraged them once more, said farewell, and left on foot. He decided to pass through Macedonia, encouraging believers wherever he found them, and came to Greece. He spent three months there, and then he planned to set sail once again for Syria. But he learned that a group of Jewish opponents was plotting to kill him, so he decided to travel through Macedonia.

Bible Translations with a Lot of Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         Paul Travels Through Macedonia and Greece

Now after the turmoil had ceased, Paul summoned [*Here the participle (“summoned”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style] the disciples, and after [*Here “after ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“encouraging”) which is understood as temporal] encouraging them , [*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation] he said farewell and [*Here “and ” is supplied because the previous participle (“departed”) has been translated as a finite verb] departed to travel to Macedonia.

And after he [*Here “after ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had gone through”) which is understood as temporal] had gone through those regions and encouraged them at length, [Literally “with many a word”] he came to Greece and stayed [*Here the participle (“stayed”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style] three months. Because [*Here “because ” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“was made”)] a plot was made against him by the Jews as he [*Here “as ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was about to”) which is understood as temporal] was about to set sail for Syria, he came to a decision to return through Macedonia.

NET Bible®                             Paul Travels Through Macedonia and Greece

After the disturbance had ended, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging¹ them and saying farewell,² he left to go to Macedonia.³ After he had gone through those regions⁴ and spoken many words of encouragement⁵ to the believers there,⁶ he came to Greece,⁷ where he stayed⁸ for three months. Because the Jews had made⁹ a plot¹⁰ against him as he was intending¹¹ to sail¹² for Syria, he decided13 to return through Macedonia.¹⁴

^1tn Or “exhorting.”

^2tn Or “and taking leave of them.”

^3sn Macedonia was the Roman province of Macedonia in Greece.

^4tn BDAG 633 s.v. μέρος 1.b.γ gives the meanings “the parts (of a geographical area), region, district,” but the use of “district” in this context probably implies too much specificity.

^5tn Grk “and encouraging them with many words.” The participle παρακαλέσας (parakalesas, “encouraging”) has been translated by the phrase “spoken…words of encouragement” because the formal equivalent is awkward in contemporary English.

^6tn Grk “[to] them”; the referent (the believers there) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

^7tn In popular usage the term translated “Greece” here could also refer to the Roman province officially known as Achaia (BDAG 318 s.v. Ελλάς).

^8tn BDAG 841 s.v. ποιέω 5.c, “w. an acc. of time spend, stay.”

^9tn The participle βενομένης (benomenhs) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle. L&N 30.71 has “ἐπιβουλής αὐτ ὑπὸ τν Ιουδαίων ‘because the Jews had made a plot against him’ Ac 20:3.”

^10sn This plot is one of several noted by Luke (Acts 9:20; 20:19; 23:30).

^11tn BDAG 628 s.v. μέλλω 1.c.γ has “denoting an intended action: intend, propose, have in mind…Ac 17:31; 20:3, 7, 13ab; 23:15; 26:2; 27:30.”

^12tn BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4 gives “put out to sea” here (as a nautical technical term). However, since the English expression “put out to sea” could be understood to mean Paul was already aboard the ship (which is not clear from the context), the simpler expression “sail” is used at this point in the translation.

^13tn BDAG 199 s.v. γίνομαι 7 has “ἐγένετο γνωμης he decided Ac 20:3.”

^14sn Macedonia was the Roman province of Macedonia in Greece.

The Spoken English NT         Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece
After the commotion died down, Paul sent for the followers and encouraged them. Then he said goodbye and left to go to Macedonia. And he went through those regions and gave many encouraging messages to the followers.^a Then he arrived in Greece, and spent three months there. Then there was a secret plan against him by the Jews, just as he was about to set sail for Syria. So he decided to go back through Macedonia.

^a.Lit. “and encouraged them by much word.”

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Paul makes his own plans
Greece
Now after the uproar had ended, Paul summoned the disciples, took leave of them, and set out for Macedonia. When he had gone through those parts and encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. When he had stayed three months, as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews made a plot against him, so he decided to return through Macedonia.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Analytical-Literal Translation  Now after the ceasing of the commotion, Paul having summoned the disciples, having embraced [them], went out to go to Macedonia.