Acts 20:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The company sails around the cape to Assos, while Paul chooses to cross overland on foot and board the ship there.
What Does Acts 20:13 Mean?
The ship must round Cape Lectum; the road from Troas to Assos runs straight across the headland. Paul sends his companions ahead by sea and keeps the twenty-mile walk for himself — a deliberate arrangement, Luke notes, made at Paul's own choosing.
Scripture does not say why he walked, but a man traveling toward chains had much to carry to God, and some business of the soul is best done alone and on foot. Jesus also withdrew to pray before his hardest hours (Luke 22:41). Solitude with God is not lost time; Paul boards at Assos readier than when he left Troas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 20:13
What does Acts 20:13 mean?
The company sails around the cape to Assos, while Paul chooses to cross overland on foot and board the ship there.