Acts 20:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul stays three months in Greece; when a plot against his life is discovered as he is about to sail for Syria, he changes course and returns overland through Macedonia.
What Does Acts 20:3 Mean?
The three winter months were spent in Greece — at Corinth — and from this stay the letter to the Romans was likely written, as Paul looked toward Jerusalem and then Rome (Rom 15:25). When he is ready to sail for Syria, word comes of an ambush: enemies who had failed to silence him in public now mean to do it at sea.
Paul is bold but never reckless. Warned of the plot, he simply takes the long road north. Trusting God does not mean ignoring danger; wisdom and faith travel together, as Jesus taught — wise as serpents, harmless as doves (Matt 10:16). A detour taken under God's hand still arrives where he intends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 20:3
What does Acts 20:3 mean?
Paul stays three months in Greece; when a plot against his life is discovered as he is about to sail for Syria, he changes course and returns overland through Macedonia.