Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 20]
remaining at Trogyllium), but clearly not genuine. In passing
from Chios to Samos they sailed past Ephesus to save time for
Pentecost in Jerusalem (verse 16), if in control of the ship,
or because the captain allowed Paul to have his way. The island
of Samos is still further down the coast below Chios. It is not
stated whether a stop was made here or not. {The day after} (\t•i
echomen•i\). The day holding itself next to the one before. Note
Luke's three terms in this verse (\t•i epious•i, t•i heter•i, t•i
echomen•i\). This would be the fourth from Assos. {To Miletus}
(\eis Mil•ton\). About 28 miles south of Ephesus and now the site
is several miles from the sea due to the silt from the Maeander.
This city, once the chief city of the Ionian Greeks, was now
quite eclipsed by Ephesus.
20:16 {For Paul had determined} (\kekrikei gar ho Paulos\). Past
perfect active (correct text) of \krin•\ and not the aorist
\ekrine\. Either Paul controlled the ship or the captain was
willing to oblige him. {To sail past Ephesus} (\parapleusai t•n
Epheson\). First aorist active infinitive of \paraple•\, old verb
to sail beside, only here in the N.T. {That he might not have}
(\hop•s m• gen•tai aut•i\). Final clause (negative) with aorist
middle subjunctive of \ginomai\ and dative "that it might not
happen to him." {To spend time} (\chronotrib•sai\). First aorist
active of the late compound verb \chronotribe•\ (\chronos\, time,
\trib•\, to spend), only here in the N.T. The verb \trib•\, to
rub, to wear out by rubbing, lends itself to the idea of wasting
time. It was only a year ago that Paul had left Ephesus in haste
after the riot. It was not expedient to go back so soon if he
meant to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost. Paul clearly felt (Ro
15) that the presentation of this collection at Pentecost to the
Jewish Christians would have a wholesome influence as it had done
once before (Ac 11:30). {He was hastening} (\espeuden\).
Imperfect active of \speud•\, old verb to hasten as in Lu 2:16;
19:56. {If it were possible for him} (\ei dunaton ei• aut•i\).
Condition of the fourth class (optative mode), if it should be
possible for him. The form is a remote possibility. It was only
some thirty days till Pentecost. {The day of Pentecost} (\t•n
h•meran t•s pent•kost•s\). Note the accusative case. Paul wanted
to be there for the whole day. See Ac 2:1 for this very phrase.
20:17 {Called to him} (\metekalesato\). Aorist middle (indirect)
indicative of \metakale•\, old verb to call from one place to
another (\meta\ for "change"), middle to call to oneself, only in
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