Following the uproar that took place in Ephesus, Paul met with the Ephesian believers, encouraged them with a departing blessing, and left for Macedonia. Luke briefly describes the time Paul spent encouraging the churches of Macedonia, with Paul next traveling to Achaia. Paul spent 3 months in Achaia (primarily Corinth). When he became aware of a Jewish plot to kill him when sailed to Syrian Antioch, he decided to instead return through Macedonia.
In his traveling (his farewell tour of sorts), Paul was accompanied by Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus. Luke finally rejoined Paul (probably in Philippi), and the entire group of travelers met up together at Troas, where they stayed for 7 days.
In Troas, Paul and his companions joined the Troas Christians to gather in worship together on Sunday, the Lord’s Day! As part of their assembled worship, they planned to share a fellowship meal which included the Lord’s Supper (the breaking of bread). In the importance of the moment, Paul extended his preaching to these dear saints until midnight. They were able to continue meeting because of the many lamps they had to light the upper room.
A young boy named Eutychus struggled to stay awake this long, and he succumbed to a deep sleep and fell out the window on the 3rd floor to his death: a shocking event! Paul raced down to his lifeless body, threw himself upon the boy (much like Elijah and Elisha in the OT), took Eutychus in his arms, and raised him back to life through the power of Jesus vested in him! A wonderful resurrection miracle on Sunday, the day commemorating Christ’s resurrection.
Afterwards, Paul returned to the upper room with these shaken believers. There, they participated together in the Lord’s Supper and shared a farewell meal. Paul conversed with these believers (until dawn!) and then departed from Troas. The family and friends of Eutychus were overcome with joy and comfort that God had so wonderfully restored him back to life through the ministry of Paul!
The final verses (Acts 20:13-16) capture Paul’s continued travels, including the locations Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and then finally Miletus. The group of men sailed directly to Miletus because Paul had planned to bypass Ephesus. He did not have any additional time to spend in that region because his desire was to return to Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost at the latest.
What kind of plot was made against Paul? What is the significance of his named travel companions? Why/how would Paul have celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Was there any significance in the many lamps? Why did Luke include this story about Eutychus? Why did Paul travel alone while his travel companions sailed together? What’s the main theme of this passage/chapter? You can listen to this teaching on Acts 20:1-16 by clicking on the following link: Paul’s Farewell Tour: Ministry of Encouragement
