Acts 20:3
And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
Original Language Analysis
ποιήσας
there abode
G4160
ποιήσας
there abode
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
1 of 21
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἐγένετο
he purposed
G1096
ἐγένετο
he purposed
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
5 of 21
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 #:
6 of 21
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
ὑπὸ
And when the Jews
G5259
ὑπὸ
And when the Jews
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
8 of 21
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μέλλοντι
as he was about
G3195
μέλλοντι
as he was about
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
11 of 21
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ἀνάγεσθαι
to sail
G321
ἀνάγεσθαι
to sail
Strong's:
G321
Word #:
12 of 21
to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγένετο
he purposed
G1096
ἐγένετο
he purposed
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
16 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
γνώμῃ
G1106
γνώμῃ
Strong's:
G1106
Word #:
17 of 21
cognition, i.e., (subjectively) opinion, or (objectively) resolve (counsel, consent, etc.)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑποστρέφειν
to return
G5290
ὑποστρέφειν
to return
Strong's:
G5290
Word #:
19 of 21
to turn under (behind), i.e., to return (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Acts 20:19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:Acts 25:3And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.2 Corinthians 11:26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Historical Context
The plot likely aimed to kill Paul on board ship during the Passover pilgrimage. Returning overland through Macedonia added significant travel but avoided assassination.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance faith with prudent avoidance of danger?
- What does Paul's route change teach about flexible planning?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'When the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.' Jewish plot forced route change. Paul adapted plans to avoid danger while continuing mission. Flexibility in method preserved life and ministry.