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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Acts 20:15 - 20:15
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
We came over against Chios (katēntēsamen antikrus Chiou). Luke uses this Koiné[28928]š verb several times (Act 16:1; Act 18:19), meaning to come right down in front of and the notion of anta is made plainer by antikrus, face to face with, common “improper” preposition only here in the N.T. They probably lay off the coast (anchoring) during the night instead of putting into the harbour. The Island of Chios is about eight miles from the mainland.
The next day (tēi heterāi). The third day in reality from Assos (the fourth from Troas), in contrast with tēi epiousēi just before for Chios.
We touched at Samos (parebalomen eis Samon). Second aorist active of paraballō, to throw alongside, to cross over, to put in by. So Thucydides III. 32. Only here in the N.T. though in Textus Receptus in Mar 4:30. The word parable (parabolē) is from this verb. The Textus Receptus adds here kai meinantes en Trogulliōi (and remaining at Trogyllium), but clearly not genuine. In passing from Chios to Samos they sailed past Ephesus to save time for Pentecost in Jerusalem (Act 20:16), if in control of the ship, or because the captain allowed Paul to have his way. The island of Samos is still further down the coast below Chios. It is not stated whether a stop was made here or not.
The day after (tēi echomenēi). The day holding itself next to the one before. Note Luke’s three terms in this verse (tēi epiousēi, tēi heterāi, tēi echomenēi). This would be the fourth from Assos.
To Miletus (eis Milēton). About 28 miles south of Ephesus and now the site is several miles from the sea due to the silt from the Maeander. This city, once the chief city of the Ionian Greeks, was now quite eclipsed by Ephesus.