Acts 20

Observations on Acts 20.

Read Acts 20. There are some simple observations that may be overlooked:

• The chapter begins and ends with Ephesus. Ephesus is a key location in Paul’s ministry to the Gentile world.
• Paul’s desire was to go to Jerusalem, but he went to Europe. The reason is the offering that was for the poor saints in Jerusalem, but it is not stated in Acts 20 (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1-7).
• Titus is not mentioned in Acts, but had a major part during this time (cf. 2 Cor. 7:5-16).
• His long range goal was Rome, after delivering the collection to Jerusalem.
• Paul knows that he will never see these saints this side of heaven. Therefore the words of Paul at Troas and Miletus were the last words of Paul to the saints in those locations. All the sermons and teaching in this chapter are exclusively for the saints.
• Luke rejoins Paul at Philippi.
• Luke is very selective in his record of the events during this time (cf. 2 Cor. 2).
• It records the last miracle of Paul as a free man.