For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hurried, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
had.
Acts 20:13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
Acts 18:21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
Acts 19:21 After 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.
the day.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Exodus 34:22 And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.
1 Corinthians 16:8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
to avoid spending time in the province of Asia
The province of Asia, a Roman administrative region in what is now western Turkey, was an area where Paul had already invested much effort. By avoiding it, Paul demonstrates his awareness of the need to prioritize his time and resources. This decision also highlights the challenges of travel and communication in the ancient world, where journeys were time-consuming and often unpredictable.
because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem
Paul's urgency to reach Jerusalem indicates a strong sense of mission and responsibility. Jerusalem was not only the center of Jewish worship but also the location of the early Christian church's leadership. Paul's desire to be there suggests his commitment to maintaining unity and connection with the broader Christian community. This urgency may also reflect his awareness of the prophetic warnings he had received about the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-23).
if possible, by the day of Pentecost
Pentecost, originally a Jewish feast celebrating the harvest and the giving of the Law at Sinai, had gained new significance for Christians as the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles (Acts 2:1-4). Paul's aim to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost suggests his desire to participate in this important celebration, which would have drawn many Jewish and Christian pilgrims to the city. This timing also reflects the early church's continued connection to Jewish traditions and festivals, even as it developed its distinct identity.
Luke writes, “Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus” (Acts 20:16). This was no spur-of-the-moment choice; it was a settled resolve.
• Acts 19:21 shows Paul’s earlier Spirit-guided plan to reach Jerusalem and Rome—this leg of the journey fits that larger God-given itinerary.
• Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps,” underscoring how Paul’s personal decision still flowed within divine sovereignty.
Ephesus was dear to Paul (Acts 20:17, 31), yet he “sailed past” it.
• He had already invested three intensive years there (Acts 19:8–10).
• Stopping would draw crowds and lengthy ministry demands, as seen when he returned briefly in Acts 18:19–21 and was urged to stay longer.
• Ecclesiastes 3:1—“There is a time for every purpose”—helps us see that even fruitful opportunities must yield to God’s timing for other priorities.
Luke specifies Paul’s aim “to avoid spending time in the province of Asia.”
• Ministry needs were vast (1 Corinthians 16:8-9), but Paul discerned that lingering would hinder his larger assignment.
• Jesus modeled selective ministry moves (Mark 1:38), choosing to leave Capernaum despite popularity, to preach elsewhere.
• Colossians 4:5 exhorts believers to “redeem the time,” a principle Paul applies here by preventing mission drift.
Paul was “in a hurry to reach Jerusalem.”
• He carried the Gentile churches’ relief offering for Jerusalem’s poor saints (Romans 15:25-27; 2 Corinthians 8–9). Delivering it personally would strengthen unity in the body of Christ (Acts 11:27-30).
• Acts 21:13 shows Paul’s willingness to face arrest or death there—his urgency flowed from obedient love, not mere travel plans.
• Like Jesus “setting His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51), Paul embraces God’s path despite looming hardship.
He hoped to arrive “by the day of Pentecost.”
• Pentecost commemorated both harvest and the giving of the Law (Leviticus 23:15-22). Bringing a love-gift from Gentile believers beautifully pictured a spiritual harvest and law fulfilled in Christ.
• Jerusalem would be packed with pilgrims (Acts 2:5), giving Paul an ideal stage to demonstrate church unity (Ephesians 2:14-18).
• Timing also allowed him to continue toward Rome before winter seas closed (Acts 27:9).
• Discern priorities prayerfully—good opportunities (Ephesus) must not replace God-mandated ones (Jerusalem).
• Steward time for the gospel; urgency can be Spirit-led, not flesh-driven (Ephesians 5:15-17).
• Embrace sacrificial obedience; like Paul, believers may need to press forward despite personal risk (Philippians 3:13-14).
Acts 20:16 shows Paul making a calculated, Spirit-directed choice to bypass beloved friends in Ephesus so he could reach Jerusalem by Pentecost with a crucial offering. His decision models wise time management, steadfast obedience, and a heart set on advancing God’s redemptive plan—even when that means saying “not now” to worthwhile ministry opportunities.
(16) For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus.--The English phrase is unfortunately ambiguous. What is meant is that he had decided to continue his voyage without going to Ephesus--to pass it by.To be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.--The motives for this wish lie on the surface. (1) It was, as has been said in the Note on Acts 2:1, the Feast that attracted most pilgrims from all parts of the world, and therefore gave most scope for his work as an Apostle, especially for the great task of healing the growing breach between the Jewish and Gentile Christians. (2) It revived the memories and the power of the great day which had been the birthday of the Church's life as a distinct society. (3) St. Paul was contemplating a journey from Syria to Rome after his visit, and that would hardly have been feasible had he waited for the Feast of the Tabernacles. It might have seemed at first as if there was little gained in point of time by sending for the elders to come to him instead of going to them. We must remember, however, that had he taken the journey he would have been exposed to the accidents of travel, perhaps to a fresh riot like that of Demetrius, and might have been detained beyond the day fixed for the departure of the ship. By remaining at Miletus it was in his power to embark at any moment.
Verse 16. - Past for by, A.V.; that he might not have to for because he would not, A.V.; time for the time, A.V.; was hastening for hasted, A.V. To spend time; χρονοτριβῆσαι, found only here in the New Testament, but used by Aristotle and others. It has rather the sense of wasting time, spending it needlessly. The day of Pentecost. The time of year is rims very distinctly marked. Paul was at Philippi at the time of the Passover, and hoped to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost.