And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What seems like a simple travelogue of a few days is actually a testament to Paul's strategic urgency. He deliberately sailed past famous islands like Chios and Samos, choosing to anchor at Trogyllium and then travel directly to Miletus, all to save precious time in his determined rush to reach Jerusalem for Pentecost.
And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul and his companions are on a ship, making their way south along the coast of Asia Minor. This part of the journey is Paul's final leg before reaching Jerusalem, and he's purposefully sailing past Ephesus to save time, hoping to arrive in time for Pentecost.
Ever feel like you're just drifting, or that your journey has a hidden meaning? Paul's travels weren't random.
Paul's journey recorded in Acts 20:15 wasn't a leisurely cruise. It was a deliberate, purposeful navigation. The text meticulously details the daily progress: sailing, coming opposite an island, arriving at another, and finally reaching Miletus.
A Schedule with a Goal
This isn't just a travelogue; it highlights Paul's intentionality. He was on his way to Jerusalem for Pentecost, a crucial Jewish festival. His route, while seemingly circuitous, was calculated to allow him to connect with believers and ultimately reach his destination on time. This shows us:
These ancient islands and cities—Chios, Samos, Miletus—weren't just geographical markers. They were hubs of culture, trade, and sometimes, spiritual significance.
The locations mentioned in Acts 20:15 were more than just dots on a map; they were significant places in the ancient world.
Centers of Influence
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What We Can Learn
These places remind us that ministry and mission often happen within existing cultural and economic structures. Paul wasn't isolated; he was moving through the world, engaging with its realities. This context shows:
This passage describes a specific leg of Paul's journey, highlighting the practicalities of ancient sea travel in the Aegean and his strategic approach to ministry, prioritizing reaching Jerusalem for Pentecost while ensuring the churches he established were well-cared for.
c. AD 55-57
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
The Apostle Paul undertakes his extensive third missionary journey, traveling through Asia Minor and Greece to strengthen churches and spread the Gospel.
c. AD 57— this verse
Voyage from Mitylene to Miletus
Paul and his companions sail south along the coast of Asia Minor, making stops near the islands of Chios and Samos, and pausing at Trogyllium before reaching Miletus.
c. AD 57
Paul Summons Ephesian Elders
While at Miletus, Paul sends for the elders of the church in Ephesus, a significant journey for him as he intends to bypass Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem.
c. AD 57
Farewell Address to Ephesian Elders
Paul delivers a deeply emotional farewell speech to the Ephesian elders, recounting his ministry, offering guidance, and warning them of future challenges.
c. AD 57
Journey Towards Jerusalem and Pentecost
Paul continues his journey towards Jerusalem, determined to arrive by the Feast of Pentecost, a significant Jewish festival.
This passage describes Paul's journey by sea, highlighting the logistical challenges and reliance on favorable winds, similar to the travel described in Acts 20:15.
2 Corinthians 11:25Paul recounts his numerous sea voyages, including 'a night and a day I have been adrift in the deep,' which emphasizes the risks and hardships inherent in such travel as implied by the navigation in Acts 20:15.
Acts 21:1This verse immediately follows the account of Paul's arrival at Miletus, showing the continuation of his journey and the deliberate choices made in his travel plans, connecting the stop at Miletus to his broader mission.
Acts 20:16This verse explains Paul's haste to reach Jerusalem, providing the motivation behind the swift, multi-day sea journey described in Acts 20:15 and giving context to the stops made along the way.
bengelActs 20:15: "And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus."
Acts 20:15 . Τρωγυλλίῳ ) The name of a place, as in Wirtemberg, a village is called Korb (a basket) with the same signification.— ἤλθομεν , we came ) with rapid course.
clarkeActs 20:15: "And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus."
Over against Chios - This was a very celebrated island between Lesbos and Samos, famous in antiquity for its extraordinary wines. At this island the apostle did not touch. Arrived at Samos - This was another island of the Aegean Sea, or Archipelago. It does not appear that they landed at Samos: they passed close by it…
What seems like a simple travelogue of a few days is actually a testament to Paul's strategic urgency. He deliberately sailed past famous islands like Chios and Samos, choosing to anchor at Trogyllium and then travel directly to Miletus, all to save precious time in his determined rush to reach Jerusalem for Pentecost.
Paul and his companions are on a ship, making their way south along the coast of Asia Minor. This part of the journey is Paul's final leg before reaching Jerusalem, and he's purposefully sailing past Ephesus to save time, hoping to arrive in time for Pentecost.
Paul and his companions are on a ship, making their way south along the coast of Asia Minor. This part of the journey is Paul's final leg before reaching Jerusalem, and he's purposefully sailing past Ephesus to save time, hoping to arrive in time for Pentecost.
"And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus." — What seems like a simple travelogue of a few days is actually a testament to Paul's strategic urgency. He deliberately sailed past famous islands like Chios and Samos, choosing to anchor at Trogylliu…
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Last reviewed October 2026