And 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.

ACTS 20:4KJV
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Acts 20:4 (KJV)

What does Acts 20:4 mean?

Acts 20:4 identifies the men who accompanied Paul into Asia on his journey. They came from several places, showing that Paul was traveling with a group whose members had ties to different cities and regions.

After Paul’s change of travel plans in verse 3, the account names his companions: Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timotheus, Tychicus, and Trophimus. “Asia” here refers to a Roman province in what is now western Turkey, rather than the whole continent.

Why Acts 20:4 matters

  • The list connects Paul’s journey with several places where the message about Jesus had spread. Berea, Thessalonica, and Derbe were cities Paul had visited earlier in Acts.
  • The travelers did not all move as a single group at every point. Verse 5 says that some went ahead and waited at Troas.

Where else these words appear

“Trophimus” Greek G5161 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 21:29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
  • 2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

“Aristarchus” Greek G708 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
  • Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
  • Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas,(touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

“Gaius” Greek G1050 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
  • Romans 16:23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

“Thessalonians” Greek G2331 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: