A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 20

After the uproar was ceased (μετα το παυσασθα τον θορυβον). Literally, after the ceasing (accusative of articular aorist middle infinitive of παυω, to make cease) as to the uproar (accusative of general reference). Noise and riot, already in Mt 26:5; 27:24; Mr 5:38; 14:2; and see in Ac 21:34; 24:18. Pictures the whole incident as bustle and confusion.

Took leave (ασπαμενος). First aorist middle participle of ασπαζομα, old verb from α intensive and σπαω, to draw, to draw to oneself in embrace either in greeting or farewell. Here it is in farewell as in 21:6. Salutation in 21:7,19.

Departed for to go into Macedonia (εξηλθεν πορευεσθα εις Μακεδονιαν). Both verbs, single act and then process. Luke here condenses what was probably a whole year of Paul's life and work as we gather from II Corinthians, one of Paul's "weighty and powerful" letters as his enemies called them (2 Corinthians 10:10). "This epistle more than any other is a revelation of S. Paul's own heart: it is his spiritual autobiography and apologia pro vita sua."

Those parts (τα μερη εκεινα). We have no way of knowing why Luke did not tell of Paul's stay in Troas (2 Corinthians 2:12f.) nor of meeting Titus in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:7–13:16) nor of Paul's visit to Illyricum (Romans 15:19f.) to give time for II Corinthians to do its work (2 Corinthians 13), one of the most stirring experiences in Paul's whole career when he opened his heart to the Corinthians and won final victory in the church by the help of Titus who also helped him round up the great collection in Achaia. He wrote II Corinthians during this period after Titus arrived from Corinth. The unity of II Corinthians is here assumed. Paul probably met Luke again in Macedonia, but all this is passed by except by the general phrase: "had given them much exhortation" (παρακαλεσας αυτους λογω πολλω). Literally, "having exhorted them (the Macedonian brethren) with much talk" (instrumental case).

Into Greece (εις την Hελλαδα). That is, Achaia (18:12; 19:21), and particularly Corinth, whither he had at last come again after repeated attempts, pauses, and delays (2 Corinthians 13:1). Now at last the coast was clear and Paul apparently had an open door in Corinth during these three months, so completely had Titus at last done away with the opposition of the Judaizers there.

When he had spent three months there (ποιησας μηνας τρεις). Literally, "having done three months," the same idiom in Ac 14:33; 18:23; James 5:13. During this period Paul may have written Galatians as Lightfoot argued and certainly did Romans. We do not have to say that Luke was ignorant of Paul's work during this period, only that he did not choose to enlarge upon it.

And a plot was laid against him by the Jews (γενομενης επιβουλης αυτω υπο των Ιουδαιων). Genitive absolute, "a plot by the Jews having come against him." Επιβουλη is an old word for a plot against one. In the N.T. only in Acts (9:24; 20:3,19; 23:30). Please note that this plot is by the Jews, not the Judaizers whom Paul discusses so vehemently in 2Colossians 10-13. They had given Paul much anguish of heart as is shown in I Cor. and in 2Colossians 1-7, but that trouble seems now past. It is Paul's old enemies in Corinth who had cherished all these years their defeat at the hands of Gallio (Acts 18:5–17) who now took advantage of Paul's plans for departure to compass his death if possible.

As he was about to set sail for Syria (μελλοντ αναγεσθα εις την Συριαν). The participle μελλοντ agrees in case (dative) with αυτω. For the sense of intending see also verse 13. Αναγεσθα (present middle infinitive) is the common word for putting out to sea (going up, they said, from land) as in 13:13.

He determined (εγενετο γνωμης). The best MSS. here read γνωμης (predicate ablative of source like επιλυσεως, 2 Peter 1:20, Robertson, Grammar, p. 514), not γνωμη (nominative). "He became of opinion." The Jews had heard of Paul's plan to sail for Syria and intended in the hurly-burly either to kill him at the docks in Cenchreae or to push him overboard from the crowded pilgrim ship bound for the passover. Fortunately Paul learned of their plot and so eluded them by going through Macedonia. The Codex Bezae adds here that "the Spirit bade him return into Macedonia."

Accompanied him (συνειπετο αυτω). Imperfect of συνεπομα, old and common verb, but only here in the N.T. The singular is used agreeing with the first name mentioned Σωπατρος and to be supplied with each of the others. Textus Receptus adds here "into Asia" (αχρ της Ασιας, as far as Asia), but the best documents (Aleph B Vulg. Sah Boh) do not have it. As a matter of fact, Trophimus went as far as Jerusalem (Acts 21:29) and Aristarchus as far as Rome (27:2; Colossians 4:10), The phrase could apply only to Sopatros. It is not clear though probable that Luke means to say that these seven brethren, delegates of the various churches (2 Corinthians 8:19–23) started from Corinth with Paul. Luke notes the fact that they accompanied Paul, but the party may really have been made up at Philippi where Luke himself joined Paul, the rest of the party having gone on to Troas (20:5f.). These were from Roman provinces that shared in the collection (Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, Achaia). In this list three were from Macedonia, Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica; two from Galatia, Gaius of Derbe and Timothy of Lystra; two from Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. It is a bit curious that none are named from Achaia. Had Corinth failed after all (2 Corinthians 8; 9) to raise its share of the collection after such eager pledging? Rackham suggests that they may have turned their part over directly to Paul. Luke joined Paul in Philippi and could have handled the money from Achaia. It was an important event and Paul took the utmost pains to remove any opportunity for scandal in the handling of the funds.

Were waiting for us in Troas (εμενον ημας εν Τροιαδ). Here again we have "us" for the first time since chapter 16 where Paul was with Luke in Philippi. Had Luke remained all this time in Philippi? We do not know, but he is with Paul now till Rome is reached. The seven brethren of verse 4 went on ahead from Philippi to Troas while Paul remained with Luke in Philippi.