Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 20

CHAPTER 20

The uproar. The tumult excited by Demetrius and the workmen. After it had been quieted by the town-clerk (Acts 19:40).

Embraced them. Saluted them; gave them parting expressions of kindness. Compare Luke 7:45; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14. The Syriac translates this, Paul called the disciples, and consoled them, and kissed them.

To go into Macedonia. On his way to Jerusalem, according to his purpose—recorded in Acts 19:21.

Over those parts. The parts of the country in and near Macedonia. He probably went to Macedonia via Troas, where he expected to find Titus (2 Corinthians 2:12); but not finding him there, he went by himself to Philippi, Thessalonica, and other places, and then returned to Greece Proper.

Into Greece. Into Greece Proper, of which Athens was the capital. While in Macedonia, he had great anxiety and trouble, but was eventually comforted by the coming of Titus, who brought him news of the generous disposition of the churches of Greece regarding the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 7:5–7). It is probable that the Second Epistle to the Corinthians was written during this time in Macedonia and sent to them by Titus. See Note of Doddridge.

And there abode. Why he remained here is unknown. It is probable that while in Greece he wrote the Epistle to the Romans. .

Laid wait. There was a design formed against him by the Jews, which they sought to execute. Why they formed this purpose, the historian has not informed us.

As he was about to sail. It would seem from this that the design of the Jews was to attack the ship in which he was about to sail, or to arrest him on shipboard. This fact determined him to take a much more circuitous route by land, so that the churches of Macedonia were favoured with another visit from him.

Into Syria. On his way to Jerusalem.

He purposed. He resolved to avoid the snare which they had laid for him, and to return by the same way in which he had come into Greece.

And there accompanied him. It was usual for some of the disciples to attend the apostles in their journeys.

Into Asia. It is not meant that they attended him from Greece through Macedonia; but that they went with him to Asia, having gone before him, and joined him at Troas.

Sopater of Berea. Perhaps the same person who, in Romans 16:21, is called Sosipater, and who is there said to have been a kinsman of Paul.

Aristarchus (Acts 19:29).

Gaius of Derbe. See the note on Acts 19:29.

Tychicus. This man was high in the confidence and affection of Paul. In Ephesians 6:21-22, he styles him a beloved brother, and faithful minister in the Lord.

And Trophimus. Trophimus was from Ephesus (Acts 20:29). When Paul wrote his Second Epistle to Timothy, he was at Miletus, sick (2 Timothy 4:20).

These going before. Going before Paul and Luke. Dr. Doddridge supposes that only Tychicus and Trophimus went before the others. Perhaps the Greek most naturally demands this interpretation.

Tarried for us. The word "us" here shows that Luke had again joined Paul as his companion. In Acts 16:12, it appears that Luke was in Philippi, in the house of Lydia. Why he remained there, or why he did not attend Paul in his journey to Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, etc., is not known. It is evident, however, that he here joined him again.

At Troas. See Barnes on Acts 16:8.