Acts 20:16
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 28
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅπως
because
G3704
ὅπως
because
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
8 of 28
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 28
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γενέσθαι
to be
G1096
γενέσθαι
to be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
10 of 28
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
αὐτῷ
for him
G846
αὐτῷ
for him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
χρονοτριβῆσαι
spend
G5551
χρονοτριβῆσαι
spend
Strong's:
G5551
Word #:
12 of 28
to be a time-wearer, i.e., to procrastinate (linger)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀσίᾳ·
Asia
G773
Ἀσίᾳ·
Asia
Strong's:
G773
Word #:
15 of 28
asia, i.e., asia minor, or (usually) only its western shore
ἔσπευδεν
he hasted
G4692
ἔσπευδεν
he hasted
Strong's:
G4692
Word #:
16 of 28
to "speed" ("study"), i.e., urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication, to await eagerly
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
17 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
δυνατὸν
possible
G1415
δυνατὸν
possible
Strong's:
G1415
Word #:
19 of 28
powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
αὐτῷ
for him
G846
αὐτῷ
for him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραν
the day
G2250
ἡμέραν
the day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
23 of 28
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πεντηκοστῆς
of Pentecost
G4005
πεντηκοστῆς
of Pentecost
Strong's:
G4005
Word #:
25 of 28
fiftieth (g2250 being implied) from passover, i.e., the festival of "pentecost"
γενέσθαι
to be
G1096
γενέσθαι
to be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
26 of 28
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 16:8But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.Acts 2:1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.Acts 19:21After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
Historical Context
This occurred during Paul's third missionary journey (circa AD 57), as he traveled from Greece toward Jerusalem. Ephesus had been Paul's ministry base for three years (Acts 19:8-10; 20:31), making his decision to bypass it remarkable. The Pentecost deadline suggests Paul planned to participate in the temple festivities and present the Gentile churches' financial gift to the impoverished Jerusalem believers—a visible demonstration of unity between Jewish and Gentile Christianity.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Paul's willingness to bypass beloved friends for a higher calling teach about Christian priorities and stewardship of time?
- How does Paul's determination to reach Jerusalem despite prophesied suffering (Acts 20:23) model faithful obedience when God's will leads into hardship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus (παρέπλευσεν, parepleusen—to sail past)—a deliberate strategic decision showing apostolic priorities. Paul intentionally avoided stopping at Ephesus despite his deep love for this church (Acts 19:8-10; 20:31). The verb 'determined' (κρίνω, krinō) indicates a firm, reasoned decision.
He hasted...to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost—Pentecost (πεντηκοστή, pentēkostē—'fiftieth day') came fifty days after Passover, when Jerusalem swelled with Jewish pilgrims from across the empire. Paul's urgency reflects both pastoral duty (delivering the Gentile collection, Romans 15:25-27) and personal devotion to his Jewish heritage. Despite knowing 'bonds and afflictions' awaited him (Acts 20:23), he pressed toward Jerusalem with prophetic resolve, foreshadowing Christ's own steadfast journey to the cross (Luke 9:51).