Acts 20:6 Meaning Explained

Acts 20:6

but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul intentionally lingered in Philippi until after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, not out of obligation to the Mosaic Law for Gentile believers, but to use the increased Jewish presence and attention during the festival as a prime opportunity for teaching. This strategic decision reveals his deep concern for sharing the Gospel, even when it meant extending his stay and potential exposure.

What Acts 20:6 means

Paul and his companions, including Luke the narrator, left Philippi after observing the Jewish festival of Unleavened Bread. Their sea voyage to Troas took five days, a slower journey than a previous trip, and upon arrival, they stayed for seven days. This extended stay was likely to observe the Lord's Day and fellowship with the believers there, including those who had traveled with Paul.

The Apostle's Prudent Timing

Why would Paul, who taught that ceremonial laws were no longer binding, wait for a Jewish festival to end before setting sail?

Paul's decision to wait until after the Days of Unleavened Bread in Philippi wasn't about adhering to the law.

Wisdom in Witness

Instead, it demonstrated a deep wisdom in how he related to Jewish people. While the Mosaic Law's sacrificial system was fulfilled in Christ, Paul understood the importance of cultural sensitivity. By observing the timing of the Passover festival, he avoided causing unnecessary offense or becoming a stumbling block to new Jewish believers and those still observing the traditions.

An Opportunity to Teach

This period also presented a valuable opportunity. With many Jews gathered for the festival, Paul had a more attentive audience for teaching about the deeper meaning of the Passover and its fulfillment in Jesus. It was a strategic choice, not a religious obligation.

The Author's Return to the Narrative

The word 'we' suddenly reappears in the text after a long absence. What does this signify for the story and its narrator?

The shift from 'he' to 'we' in verse 6 signals a significant moment: Luke, the author of Acts, has rejoined Paul's traveling company.

Rejoining the Journey

Luke had been with Paul in Philippi during the initial mission to Macedonia (Acts 16), but the narrative shifts to Paul's solitary movements for a period. His reappearance here marks his return to active participation in Paul's ministry and the recording of these events.

Historical Significance

This 'we' is crucial. It indicates that the author had firsthand experience of the events he describes from this point onward, lending authenticity and a personal perspective to the account. It also confirms that Luke was a close companion of Paul, an eyewitness to these missionary endeavors.

The Purpose of the Seven-Day Stay

Understand the original words

Original language

Unleavened Breadτῶν ἀζύμων

tōn azymōn · Greek Noun

A seven-day festival commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, characterized by the exclusion of leaven (yeast) from homes and diet. It symbolizes the holiness of God's people and the necessity of purity and separation from sin.

Historical context

Written: Likely in the mid-50s AD, during Paul's third missionary journey.
Author: Traditionally understood to be Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke, though not explicitly named in the text.
Location: Written from Philippi, a major city in Macedonia, during a journey that passes through Troas in Asia Minor.
Genre: Historical narrative with elements of travelogue, characterized by detailed accounts of Paul's missionary journeys and the early Christian movement.

Historical background

Paul's decision to wait in Philippi until after the Passover festival highlights his sensitivity to Jewish customs and his desire to use religious gatherings as opportunities for teaching, while also revealing the logistical dependence on sea travel common in the 1st century.

c. AD 49-50
Paul's First Visit to Philippi
Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke (the narrator) arrive in Philippi during their second missionary journey, establishing the first Christian church in Europe. Luke likely joins the team here.
c. AD 55
Paul writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul writes his first letter to the Corinthian church, addressing issues of Christian practice and doctrine, and mentioning the 'Lord's Supper'.
c. AD 56-57
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
Paul embarks on his extensive third missionary journey, traveling through Asia Minor and Macedonia, planting churches and strengthening believers.
c. AD 57, Spring— this verse
Departure from Philippi during Passover
Paul and his companions depart from Philippi after the Jewish festival of Unleavened Bread. The presence of Jewish believers or sensitivities likely influenced their timing.

Key themes

01Paul's missionary journeys
02Christian fellowship and teaching
03Prudence in ministry
04The Lord's Day observance

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 11:20

This passage speaks about the Lord's Supper, which the text implies Paul and the group observed during their seven-day stay in Troas, highlighting the importance of fellowship and worship.

Exodus 12:1-14

This chapter details the institution of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, providing the Old Testament context for Paul's observance of this period.

Acts 16:11-12

This earlier passage describes Paul's first journey to Philippi, noting a much quicker voyage from Troas, which emphasizes the specific challenges and context of this later sea voyage.

Romans 14:1-23

This section discusses matters of conscience and Christian liberty, particularly concerning observance of days and food laws, offering a framework for understanding why Paul might have been sensitive to Jewish customs like the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Scholarly commentary

Acts 20:6: "And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days."

From Philippi; where they embarked, and sailed on the river first, then on the sea. After the days of unleavened bread; though St. Paul would not have the Gentile converts to be burdened with the ceremonial law, yet, that he might not offend the Jews, for a while he complied with their rites, Acts 18:21 , they being indeed dead, but not yet deadl…
poole

Acts 20:6: "And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days."

Verse 6. - Tarried for abode, A.V. We; distinctly marking that Luke, the author of the narrative, whom we left at Philippi (Acts 16:13, 14), joined him again at the same place. Renan (p. 498) well remarks, "At Philippi Paul once more met the disciple who had guided him for the first time to Macedonia. He attached him to his company again, and thu…
pulpit

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What Acts 20:6 means

Historical context

Written: Likely in the mid-50s AD, during Paul's third missionary journey.
Author: Traditionally understood to be Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke, though not explicitly named in the text.
Location: Written from Philippi, a major city in Macedonia, during a journey that passes through Troas in Asia Minor.
Genre: Historical narrative with elements of travelogue, characterized by detailed accounts of Paul's missionary journeys and the early Christian movement.

Historical background

c. AD 49-50

Paul's First Visit to Philippi

Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke (the narrator) arrive in Philippi during their second missionary journey, establishing the first Christian church in Europe. Luke likely joins the team here.

c. AD 55

Paul writes 1 Corinthians

From Ephesus, Paul writes his first letter to the Corinthian church, addressing issues of Christian practice and doctrine, and mentioning the 'Lord's Supper'.

c. AD 56-57

Paul's Third Missionary Journey

Paul embarks on his extensive third missionary journey, traveling through Asia Minor and Macedonia, planting churches and strengthening believers.

c. AD 57, Spring— this verse

Departure from Philippi during Passover

Paul and his companions depart from Philippi after the Jewish festival of Unleavened Bread. The presence of Jewish believers or sensitivities likely influenced their timing.