Thursday, January 24, 2008

Acts chapter 20

vs 1

So the riot in Ephesus was enough for Paul to move on to Macedonia again. Pagans had become as bad as Jews there.

vs 2-3

The way this is written, mentioning Macedonia twice (vs 1 then vs 3) would make me think he travelled overland to Macedonia then through to Greece, and then instead of catching a boat from there to Syria, went back in the same direction. Not all maps agree with me though.

vs 4

The names overall might not mean much to us (Timothy obviously, also Tychichus), but look at the places and you will see so many that Paul has visited before and started churches at.

vs 5

Luke also joined them, apparently. Or at least we can assume from the 'us' bit.

vs 6

Still celebrating Jewish festivals. And they're Jews, so that's fine.

vs 7

Here we have an idea of a church meeting from Paul's days. Note that him speaking till midnight is not a regular occurence - he spoke so long because he was leaving the next day.

vs 8

As there would need to be, if you were meeting till midnight in those days.

vs 9

As sad as it is, it's a funny story, because Paul's speaking put someone to sleep. And if you've ever had someone fall asleep in a talk, then you understand completely. But it's not just that it was midnight - the TNIV and NIV actually describes it as going on and on :P Which I just think is funny.

vs 10

This is very similar to what Elijah does for the widow's son. Same movement and all. Lots of people suggest that this is some kind of artificial respiration or similar. Not sure about that. It's not like he drowned - he fell out of a building.

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