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Here an account is given of several travels of the apostle; namely, from Troas to Assos, from thence to Mitylene, next day to Samos, then to Trogyllium, and the day following to Miletus, passing by and not touching at Ephesus; for the apostle having an earnest desire to be at Jerusalem at the feast of Pentecost, so that he might in that concourse have a larger opportunity for spreading the gospel, he would not now call at Ephesus, lest he should be detained too long by the brethren there.
From the whole note, 1. The indefatigable diligence of this great apostle, and his unwearied industry in the service of the gospel; how he travels from place to place, and here from Troas to Assos, on foot all alone by land; he did not effect to ride with a pompous train and retinue, but he goes on foot, expecting to meet with more opportunity of sowing the seed of the gospel as he passed through towns and villages by land, among those he conversed with; so intent was this holy man on the work of winning souls; whereas had he travelled by sea, this opportunity had been lost. An happy example for all the ministers of Christ, to prefer an opportunity of doing good to the souls of others, before their own ease or profit.
Note, 2. The true reason why St. Paul was so very desirous to be at Jerusalem at the feast of Pentecost: not that he placed any religion in observing this abrogated feast, but because the vast concourse of people at such times would give him a fairer opportunity to glorify Christ, and to propagate the gospel. This made him so desirous to get to Jerusalem by the feast of Pentecost.
Learn thence, that the ministers of Christ, without the imputation of vain-glory, or seeking popular applause, may warrantably desire, and occasionally lay hold upon, an opportunity of dispensing a word to a numerous auditory, in hopes that, casting the net of the gospel among many, they may enclose some.