Acts 20:16

16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; he was eager to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

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 he met us in Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.
15 We sailed from there, and on the following day we arrived opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos, and the day after that we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; he was eager to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
17 From Miletus he sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him.
18 When they came to him, he said to them: "You yourselves know how I lived among you the entire time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.