Bible Strands
Acts 20:1
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text states that Paul summoned the disciples after the uproar ended, encouraged them, and departed for Macedonia. This action occurs at the conclusion of the Ephesian conflict and immediately precedes his regional travels.
The words — παυσάσθαι τὸν θόρυβον (pausasthai ton thorubon) literally means "ceasing the uproar," marking the precise temporal boundary between the riot and Paul’s next move. μεταπεμψάμενος (metapempsamenos), "having summoned," denotes his deliberate, prior call to the believers before he physically leaves.
The thread — This departure initiates the Macedonian leg of his journey, echoing his earlier spiritual resolve in Acts 19:21 and his later pastoral directive in 1 Timothy 1:3. The region reappears in 2 Corinthians 7:5 as a place of subsequent physical hardship and continued mission work.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to observe that pastoral consolidation must precede geographical movement. It demands a practical discipline: complete necessary encouragement and farewells before advancing to new assignments.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 7:5 For when we arrived in Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were pressed from every direction—conflicts on the outside, fears within.
- Acts 19:21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
- 1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines
- Genesis 48:10 Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.
- Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.
- 1 Corinthians 16:5 After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you; for I will be going through Macedonia.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
- 1 Samuel 20:41 When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.
- Acts 11:26 and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
- Acts 16:9 During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”