ACC ~ Acts 20 v13 - 16

OVERVIEW:

This section has not elicited much comment from either modern or ancient interpreters. Some of the moderns think that another reason for passing by Ephesus may have been Paul’s memory of the recent silversmiths’ riot. Others point to the resemblance that Luke seems to establish between Jesus’ determined journey to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51; 13:22; 17:11) and that of Paul. The earlier commentators speak of Luke as a devoted and observant companion of Paul (IRENAEUS), of Paul, the saint, as sharing our human nature and limitations (CHRYSOSTOM), and that Paul did not want to delay appearing in Jerusalem at the feast of Pentecost (BEDE).

20:13 | Intending to Board a Ship

LUKE AS ACCURATE REPORTER OF PAUL. IRENAEUS: That this Luke was inseparable from Paul and his fellow laborer in the gospel, he himself clearly evinces, not as a matter of boasting but as bound to do so by the truth itself. For he says that when Barnabas, and John who was called Mark, had parted company from Paul and sailed to Cyprus, “we came to Troas”; and when Paul had beheld in a dream a man of Macedonia, saying, “Come into Macedonia, Paul, and help us,” “immediately,” he says, “we endeavored to go into Macedonia, understanding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Therefore, sailing from Troas, we directed our ship’s course towards Samothracia.” And then he carefully indicates all the rest of their journey as far as Philippi, and how they delivered their first address, “for, sitting down,” he says, “we spoke to the women who had assembled,” and certain ones believed, even a great many. Again [Luke] says, “But we sailed from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread and came to Troas, where we stayed for seven days.” And all the remaining details of his course with Paul he recounts, indicating with all diligence both places and cities and number of days, until they went up to Jerusalem; and what happened to Paul there, how he was sent to Rome in bonds; the name of the centurion who took him in charge; and the signs of the ships, and how they made shipwreck; and the island on which they escaped, and how they received kindness there, Paul healing the chief man of that island; and how they sailed from there to Puteoli, and from there arrived at Rome; and for what period they sojourned at Rome. As Luke was present at all these occurrences, he carefully noted them down in writing, so that he cannot be convicted of falsehood or boastfulness, because all these particulars proved both that he was senior to all those who now teach otherwise and that he was not ignorant of the truth. AGAINST HERESIES 3.14.1.

20:16 | Hastening to Jerusalem

SAINTS SHARE IN THE SAME NATURE AS WE DO. CHRYSOSTOM: “For he was hastening,” it says, “to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.” So it was for this reason that [Paul] could not stay. Look at him moved like other people, desiring, hastening and often not obtaining his object. These things take place to prevent us from thinking that he was above human nature. For those great and holy men partake of the same nature as we do, but not of the same will. This is why they attract great grace to themselves. See how many things they dispense on their own. For this reason he said, “So that we put no obstacle in the way of the willing,” and again, “so that no fault may be found with our ministry.” Look, both an irreproachable life and much condescension. This is called planning, to arrive at the summit of both sublime virtue and humble condescension. And hear how he, who went beyond the commandments of Christ, was in turn the humblest of all, “I am made all things to all people,” he says, “that I might gain all.” HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 43.

HURRYING TO BE IN JERUSALEM. BEDE: There was a certain commandment of the law that all Jews should gather in Jerusalem three times a year—that is, at the times of Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles. The apostle, however, since he had broken the ties to his people, was hurrying to celebrate the fiftieth day, that is, the day of pardon and of the Holy Spirit. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 20.16.