Sha’ul’s Third Missionary Journey ~ Part 4

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As I mentioned in my last post, we returned to the Book of Acts. Sha’ul continues his Third Missionary Journey in Acts 20:3b in this post.

Click here for a map of Sha’ul’s Third Missionary Journey.

As the historical record continues, Sha’ul’s plans to leave directly for Yerushalayim are abruptly changed, and a detour is necessary. Sha’ul begins his return to Syria through Philippi, Troas, and Miletus (near Ephesus). While at Miletus, Sha’ul addresses the elders from the kehillah at Ephesus and tells them that he anticipates possible imprisonment and persecution upon his return to Yerushalayim. He undoubtedly also warns them of the danger of falling away from the teachings of Yeshua – a concern which he will address at length in various letters later in his life. Sadly, concluding his close association with the kehillah in Ephesus, he leaves resolutely to face whatever outcome awaits him in Syria. ^[1] The timing of this transition is the Spring of 58 C.E.

From Greece to Troas

20 ^3b As he was preparing to set sail for Syria, he discovered a plot against him by the unbelieving Jews, so he changed his mind and decided to return by way of Macedonia.

The plot by some of Sha’ul’s Jewish opponents caused him to change his travel plans. He traveled overland from Greece to Macedonia, where he caught a ship at Philippi.

⁴ Sopater from Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him, as did Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. ⁵ These men went on and waited for us in Troas, ⁶ while we sailed from Philippi after the Days of Matzah. Five days later, we met them in Troas, where we spent a week.

When Sha’ul reached Philippi, he sailed after the days of Pesach for Troas, where he stayed for seven days. After the Days of Matzah, that is, after Pesach. Sha’ul, the observant Jew (13:9), kept Pesach.

Eutychus Revived

In Acts 20:7-12, we see the importance of community worship and teaching. If you’re feeling disconnected during worship services, consider volunteering for a ministry that aligns with your gifts, whether it’s hospitality, music, or teaching children. Engaging actively in church strengthens your connection with God and allows you to support others in their faith journey. Use your talents to serve and watch how God transforms your life and those around you.

⁷ On Motza’ei-Shabbat, when we were gathered to break bread, Sha’ul addressed them. Since he was going to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight.

Motza˒’ei-Shabbat means “departure of the Sabbath” and refers to Saturday night.

⁸ Now there were many oil lamps burning in the upstairs room where we were meeting, ⁹ and there was a young fellow named Eutychus sitting on the window-sill. As Sha’ul’s drash went on and on, Eutychus grew sleepier and sleepier; until finally he went sound asleep and fell from the third story to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead.

The many oil lamps burning made the room smoky and stuffy and depleted the oxygen. Probably Eutychus was sitting on the window sill to get some air. Unfortunately, it still didn’t keep him from going sound asleep and falling to his death.

¹⁰ But Sha’ul went down, threw himself onto him, put his arms around him, and said, “Don’t be upset, he’s alive!” 11 Then he went back upstairs, broke the bread, and ate. He continued talking with them till daylight, then left. ¹² So, greatly relieved, they brought the boy home alive.

Despite the drama with Eutychus, the crowd went upstairs to break bread, eat together, and talk til dawn before Sha’ul departed.

From Troas to Miletus

¹³ We went on ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, where we were planning to take Sha’ul aboard—he had arranged this because he wanted to go there by land. ¹⁴ After he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.

The narrative follows the events of those in the “we” group, including Luke, who sailed from Troas to Assos, where they met Sha’ul, who had traveled by land.

¹⁵ The next day, we sailed from there and arrived off Chios; the following day, we crossed over to Samos, and the day after that, we reached Miletus. ¹⁶ For Sha’ul had decided to bypass Ephesus on his voyage, in order to avoid losing time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to get to Yerushalayim, if possible in time to celebrate Shavu‘ot. ^[2]

Shavu˓’ot (“Weeks,” Pentecost; see 2:1). Sha’ul’s desire to hurry to Yerushalayim for Shavu˓’ot shows that as a Messianic Jew he remained devoted to the Torah and Jewish practice (see Acts 13:9). We can see this also from the fact that on another occasion he felt he had to justify a decision to remain in Ephesus and not go up to Yerushalayim for this pilgrim festival (1 Corinthians 16:8–9).

In our next post, we will continue to explore Sha’ul’s Third Missionary Journey.

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[1] The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order, by F. LaGard Smith.

^[2] Acts 20:3b–16.