And there stayed three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
the Jews.
Acts 20:19 Serving 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 9:23,24 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: …
Acts 23:12-15 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul…
sail.
Acts 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
Acts 21:3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
Galatians 1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
he purposed.
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.
2 Corinthians 1:15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
And when the Jews formed a plot against him
Throughout Paul's ministry, he faced opposition from Jewish leaders who saw his teachings as a threat to traditional Jewish beliefs. This opposition is consistent with the pattern seen in other parts of Acts, where Jewish leaders often incited hostility against Paul. The plot indicates the intensity of the resistance he faced and highlights the spiritual warfare present in his mission.
as he was about to sail for Syria,
Paul's intended journey to Syria reflects his strategic planning in spreading the Gospel. Syria, with its significant city of Antioch, was a major center for early Christianity. This route would have facilitated further missionary work and the strengthening of existing churches. The mention of sailing underscores the importance of maritime travel in the spread of Christianity during the first century.
he decided to go back through Macedonia.
Paul's decision to return through Macedonia demonstrates his adaptability and strategic thinking in response to threats. Macedonia was home to several churches Paul had previously established, such as those in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. This route allowed him to revisit and encourage these communities, reinforcing their faith and addressing any issues. It also reflects the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities and Paul's role in maintaining those connections.
Luke notes, “he stayed three months” (Acts 20:3). Those twelve weeks were likely spent in Corinth, the hub of Roman Achaia (cf. Acts 18:1). After the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41) Paul needed a season of calm. God granted it.
• Discipleship and consolidation: Paul would have strengthened the local believers as he once did in Corinth during his earlier eighteen-month stay (Acts 18:11).
• Writing ministry: Most scholars place the writing of the epistle to the Romans in this three-month window (Romans 1:7; 15:22-29), showing how fruitfully Paul used a pause in travel.
• Providential timing: A winter in Greece made sense; sailing on the Mediterranean was dangerous in that season (Acts 27:9). God’s timing protected the apostle while furthering the gospel.
Luke turns abruptly: “the Jews formed a plot against him.” Repeated opposition marked Paul’s walk from Damascus onward (Acts 9:23; 13:45; 17:5; 23:12-14). Yet each plot became an occasion for God’s faithfulness.
• Spiritual conflict: The same message that “persuaded” many Greeks (Acts 18:4) threatened those hardened against Christ.
• Divine protection: Earlier, the Lord promised Paul, “I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you” (Acts 18:10). That promise still stood.
• Gospel resilience: Every attempted shutdown of Paul’s mission merely redirected it to new fields (Philippians 1:12).
Paul’s itinerary originally pointed toward Syria, probably Antioch or a straight run to Jerusalem in time for Passover (Acts 18:22; 19:21). The plot likely targeted him on the crowded pilgrim vessel departing from Cenchrea.
• Timing and vulnerability: A single ship with many Jewish travelers heading to the feast offered conspirators easy access.
• Ready obedience: Paul’s plans were submitted to the Spirit’s leading (Romans 1:10; James 4:13-15). When danger surfaced, flexibility followed.
“he decided to go back through Macedonia.” Paul retraced his steps northward—Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea (Acts 20:1-2)—instead of risking the ambush.
• Sanctified prudence: Trust in God never cancels common sense (Proverbs 22:3). Departure by land foiled the assassins without compromising the mission.
• Opportunity regained: The detour offered fresh moments to encourage the Macedonian churches that had recently given so generously (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
• Team ministry: Companions from each region (Acts 20:4) traveled with Paul, displaying the unity of a growing, multinational church.
A calm winter of ministry, a deadly conspiracy, a change of route—each line of Acts 20:3 displays God’s sovereign care over His servant and His gospel. Paul’s three-month stay built up believers; the Jewish plot exposed ongoing opposition; the aborted voyage underscored the need for vigilance; and the Macedonian back-track revealed both prudence and providence. The risen Christ continued to direct every step, ensuring that neither enemy schemes nor altered plans could hinder the advance of His Word.
(3) When the Jews laid wait for him . . .--In sailing for Syria, Cenchreae would naturally be the port of embarkation, and St. Paul's presence there may reasonably be connected with the mention of Ph?be, the deaconess of that church, in Romans 16:1. His intention was, however, frustrated. The malignant Jews of Corinth watched their opportunity. At Cenchreae, amid the stir and bustle of a port, they might do what they had failed to do before. Here there was no Gallio to curb their fury, and throw the aegis of his tolerant equity over their victim. Their plans were laid, and their victim was to be seized and made away with as he was on the point of embarking. On hearing of the plot, the Apostle had to change his plans, and started with his companions for Macedonia, either travelling by land or taking a ship bound for one of its ports, instead of the one bound for Caesarea, or Tyre, or Joppa. It is clear that the latter course would have baffled his murderers quite as much as the former.Verse 3. - When he had spent ... there for there abode, A.V.; a plot was laid against him by the Jews for when the Jews laid wait for him, A.V.; for for into, A.V.; determined for purposed, A.V. (ἐγένετο γνώμης, R.T.). When he had spent three months. For this use of ποιεῖν, see Acts 15:33; Acts 18:33. See also 2 Corinthians 11:25, where the R.V. varies the rendering, and seems to take ποιεῖν as a verb neuter, as the A.V. does here, the accusative (μῆνας τρεῖς) being taken as that of time how long. And a plot, etc. There is no "and" in the Greek. It is better to take the T.R., and to consider ποιήσας as a nominative pendens as ἐπιγνόντες is in Acts 19:34, according to the reading of Meyer, Alford, etc. A plot was laid against him by the Jews. It appears from this that Apollos had not succeeded in subduing the bigoted hatred of the Corinthian Jews. But probably the desperate measure of a plot against his life (ἐπιβουλή, as in Acts 9:23, 24; ver. 19 of this chapter, and Acts 23:30) is an indication that many of their number had joined the Church; and that the unbelieving remnant, being foiled in argument, had recourse to violence. He determined; literally, according to the R.T., he was of opinion. But the T.R. has ἐγένετο γνώμη, "his opinion was," the construction of the sentence being changed. The three months were probably chiefly spent at Corinth, according to the intention expressed in 1 Corinthians 16:6, though it would seem that he had stayed a longer time in Macedonia than he anticipated. It was during his sojourn at Corinth that the Epistle to the Romans was written.