Acts 20:4
What does Acts 20:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:4 means
Luke lists coworkers from several cities: Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus. This diverse company reflects the gospel’s spread and the cooperative nature of mission. Different regions and backgrounds are represented, showing unity in Christ across lines that once divided. Such companions also provided accountability, practical help, and likely delivery of aid. The presence of known figures like Timothy and later Tychicus underlines trusted leadership being formed. Ministry is not a solo endeavor; Paul gathers faithful men who share the toil and the testimony. The church grows through teams, not merely through a singular gifted leader.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus, and Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia, went with him as far as Asia.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And there were accompanying him unto Asia, Sopater of Berea, and of Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus, and of Asiatics Tychicus and Trophimus;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there accompanied him Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, of Berea: and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus: and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy: and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater [son] of Pyrrhus, a Berean; and of Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius and Timotheus of Derbe, and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Context
Following the change of travel plans, Luke spotlights the group accompanying Paul “as far as Asia.” The list prepares the reader for the “we” sections (verse 5 onward), signaling that Luke himself soon rejoins the party. The companions’ presence reinforces the chapter’s themes of shared ministry and leadership development, which will culminate in Paul’s charge to the Ephesian elders. The narrative now turns toward Troas, where the team regathers and significant events unfold during a week-long stay.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 4:7
All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:
- Acts 17:1
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
- Acts 17:10
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
- Romans 16:23
Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother.
- Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),
- 2 Corinthians 1:19
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea.
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