Acts 20:5 (KJV)

What does Acts 20:5 mean?

Acts 20:5 describes how some members of Paul's group went ahead of him and waited for the rest of the group at the city of Troas. The verse highlights a travel arrangement, showing that these companions arrived first and stayed there until Paul and others joined them.

Paul is traveling with several companions on his way back toward Jerusalem, and Luke (the author) is narrating the journey. The verse simply notes that this group, separate from Paul and possibly Luke, reached Troas before the others and waited there. This detail helps track the movements of Paul's missionary team and shows the careful planning involved in their travels.

The Greek behind Acts 20:5

• "Tarried" (ἔμειναν, emeinan): This Greek word means "remained" or "stayed." It emphasizes that the group did not just pass through Troas but waited there for a period of time, likely to regroup with Paul and the rest.
• "Before" (προελθόντες, proelthontes): This word means "having gone ahead." It clarifies that these companions traveled in advance of Paul and the others, rather than all arriving together.

Why Acts 20:5 matters

• Acts 20:5 helps clarify the travel logistics of Paul's missionary journeys, showing that his group sometimes split up for practical reasons.
• The verse connects to the surrounding passage, which lists several companions and details their movements, giving a sense of the teamwork and organization involved in early Christian missions.
• By mentioning Troas specifically, Acts 20:5 sets the stage for the events that happen there, including Paul's later preaching and the story of Eutychus in the following verses.