Acts 20:16

16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, if that was possible.

Acts 20:16 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 20:16

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus
That is, to sail by it, without calling at it, as he did, for it lay by the shore before he came to Miletus; but he chose not to stop there, fearing he should be detained by the brethren there:

because he would not spend the time in Asia;
of which Ephesus was the metropolis:

for he hasted, if it were possible, for him to be at Jerusalem the
day of Pentecost:
which was near at hand; for it was but fifty days from the second day of the passover, which feast was over when he sailed from Philippi; and at Troas he stayed seven days, and he had been several days sailing already; see ( Acts 20:6 Acts 20:13-15 ) . And his great desire to be at the feast of Pentecost was not in order to keep that feast, according to the usage of the Jews; but that he might have an opportunity of preaching the Gospel to a great number of Jews, out of all countries, whom he knew would come to that feast.

Acts 20:16 In-Context

14 When Paul met us in Assos, we took him on board and went to the city of Mitylene.

15 We sailed from there. On the following day we approached the island of Chios. The next day we went by the island of Samos, and on the next day we arrived at the city of Miletus.

16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, if that was possible.

17 From Miletus Paul sent messengers to the city of Ephesus and called the spiritual leaders of the church to meet with him [in Miletus].

18 When they were with him, he said to them, "You know how I spent all my time with you from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.