Acts 20:15
What does Acts 20:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:15 means
They continue south along the Aegean: past Chios, touching at Samos, and finally arriving at Miletus. Luke’s specifics lend credibility and help readers visualize the route. Miletus, near Ephesus, becomes the chosen meeting point. This verse shows Paul’s intentional nearness to Ephesus without entering it, a strategy that maintains momentum while enabling contact with leaders he dearly loves. The orderly steps illustrate a pilgrim heart set on the next God-appointed task. Geography serves theology here, as place and timing converge to make space for a farewell that will shape the church’s understanding of pastoral care.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And going from there by sea, we came on the day after opposite Chios, and touching at Samos on the day after that, we came on the third day to Miletus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and thence having sailed, on the morrow we came over-against Chios, and the next day we arrived at Samos, and having remained in Trogyllium, on the following day we came to Miletus,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And sailing thence, the day following we came over against Chios: and the next day we arrived at Samos: and the day following we came to Miletus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and having sailed thence, on the morrow arrived opposite Chios, and the next day put in at Samos; and having stayed at Trogyllium, the next day we came to Miletus:
Context
With travel landmarks noted, the narrative positions Paul at Miletus. The next verses will explain why he passed Ephesus (verse 16) and how he summoned the Ephesian elders (verse 17). This locates the upcoming speech—one of Acts’ most significant pastoral addresses—outside the city but within reach of its leaders. The journey’s precision underscores that what follows is neither accidental nor casual; it is a purposeful, time-sensitive meeting before Paul continues toward Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 20:17
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
- 2 Timothy 4:20
Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
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