Acts 20:2
in Acts 20After traveling through that area and speaking many words of encouragement, he arrived in Greece,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.
KJV
And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
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This verse in Acts 20
Commentary
9 notes on this verseHe came into Greece - Εις την Ἑλλαδα, Into Hellas, Greece properly so called, the regions between Thessaly and Propontis, and the country of Achaia. He did not, however, go there immediately: he passed through Macedonia, Act 20:1, in which he informs us, 2Co 7:5-7, that he suffered much, both from believers and infidels; but was greatly comforted by the arrival of Titus, who gave him a very flattering account of the prosperous state of the Church at Corinth.
This site's exposition
the uproar was ceased
on Acts 20:1-3
After the uproar was ceased, the Ephesian riot of the previous chapter behind him, Paul called the disciples together, embraced them, and set out for Macedonia. Luke’s summary compresses months of ministry that Paul’s own letters fill in, since 2 Corinthians was very likely written from Macedonia in this stretch and Romans from the three months in Greece that follow. The plot by the Jews as he was about to sail into Syria forced a change of route back through Macedonia, the same pattern of hostility that had trailed Paul from city to city.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
"And having exhorted" the Macedonians, "with much discourse, he came into Greece." Observe how we everywhere find him accomplishing all by means of preaching, not by miracles. "And we, sailed," etc. The writer constantly shows him to us as hasting to get to Syria; and the reason of it was the Church, and Jerusalem, but still he restrained his desire, so as to set all right in those parts also.
"When he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, and there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia." Again he is persecuted by the Jews, and goes into Macedonia.
The Medieval Church1 voice
And he set out to go to Macedonia. After he had toured those parts and had exhorted them with many words, he came to Greece. Greece is a province of Achaia, which the Greeks call ἑλλάδα. Hence, where Latin Codices have Greeks or, to distinguish …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
And when he had gone over those parts,....
Paul's visits to his friends were preaching visits, and his preaching was large and copious: He gave them much exhortation; he had a great deal to say to them, and did not stint himself in time; he exhorted them to many duties, in many cases, and (as some read it) with many reasonings.
2 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Some think they laid wait for him, to rob him of the money that he was carrying to Jerusalem for the relief of the poor saints there; but, considering how very spiteful the Jews were against him, I suppose they thirsted for his blood more than for his money. His companions in his travels when he went into Asia; they are here named,
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Over those parts - The parts of country in and near Macedonia. He probably went to Macedonia by Troas, where he expected to find Titus 2Co 2:12; but, not finding him there, he went by himself to Philippi, Thessalonica, etc., and then returned to Greece proper. Into Greece - Into Greece proper, of which Athens was the capital. While in Macedonia he had great anxiety and trouble, but was at length comforted by the coming of Titus, who brought him intelligence of the liberal disposition of the churches of Greece in regard to the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, 2Co 7:5-7. It is probable that the Second Epistle to the Corinthians was written during this time in Macedonia, and sent to them by Titus.
The words behind it
14 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Διελθὼν | dielthon | Having passed through | G1330 → | 43 times |
| δὲ | de | then | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| τὰ | ta | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| μέρη | mere | districts | G3313 → | 42 times |
| ἐκεῖνα | ekeina | those | G1565 → | 260 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| παρακαλέσας | parakalesas | having exhorted | G3870 → | 108 times |
| αὐτοὺς | autous | them | G846 → | 5565 times |
| λόγῳ | logo | with talk | G3056 → | 329 times |
| πολλῷ | pollo | much | G4183 → | 367 times |
| ἦλθεν | elthen | he came | G2064 → | 628 times |
| εἰς | eis | to | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| τὴν | ten | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| Ἑλλάδα· | hellada | Greece; | G1671 → |
ΔιελθὼνHaving passed through
dielthonG1330 →43 times
δὲthen
deG1161 →2765 times
τὰthe
taG3588 →19766 times
μέρηdistricts
mereG3313 →42 times
ἐκεῖναthose
ekeinaG1565 →260 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
παρακαλέσαςhaving exhorted
parakalesasG3870 →108 times
αὐτοὺςthem
autousG846 →5565 times
λόγῳwith talk
logoG3056 →329 times
πολλῷmuch
polloG4183 →367 times
ἦλθενhe came
elthenG2064 →628 times
εἰςto
eisG1519 →1755 times
τὴν<the>
tenG3588 →19766 times
Ἑλλάδα·Greece;
helladaG1671 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Thessalonians 4:1Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live,…
it leads to
- Colossians 1:10
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
- 2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
- Colossians 1:10
Through
Colossians 1:28We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
it leads to
- Ephesians 5:27
and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
- Jeremiah 3:15
Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
- Ephesians 4:11–13
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
- Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
- 2 Timothy 2:24–25
And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
- Ephesians 5:27
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Acts
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Acts; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 43; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and William Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen.