Paul’s travel to Mitylene illustrates his commitment to the spread of the gospel and his compassionate care for the early churches.
“And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.” (v.14) describes a key moment in the Apostle Paul’s travels during the mid-first century AD (around AD 55-57). The “he” in this verse refers to Paul, who was born around AD 5 and became one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, devoting his life to spreading the message of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2). Assos was an ancient city in the region of Mysia, located on the northwestern coast of modern-day Turkey. By the time Paul arrived at Assos, he was on one of his missionary journeys, determined to encourage and strengthen believers in various churches while also hurrying toward Jerusalem to arrive before Pentecost (cf. Acts 20:16).
The phrase “we took him on board” (v.14) highlights the practical reality of travel in the first century, as Paul and his companions used ships to navigate the Aegean Sea. Being reunited at Assos shows Paul’s dedication to personal ministry as he sometimes chose overland routes, possibly to spend more time instructing believers. The second destination mentioned here, “Mitylene,” (v.14) is the principal city of the island of Lesbos, off the coast of Asia Minor. This location played an important role as a convenient harbor on the apostolic itinerary, giving Paul further opportunities to meet local believers and preach the gospel, even in passing.
Through this seemingly simple travel detail, Luke, the author of Acts, underscores how God’s work often occurs on everyday journeys and routine stops. Paul’s missionary focus and the fellowship among believers continued regardless of the shifting locations. The unwavering faith and perseverance demonstrated here embody the broader mission of carrying the good news “to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8) and remind all readers that God can use any path or crossroads for His purposes.
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Acts 20:14 meaning
“And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.” (v.14) describes a key moment in the Apostle Paul’s travels during the mid-first century AD (around AD 55-57). The “he” in this verse refers to Paul, who was born around AD 5 and became one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, devoting his life to spreading the message of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2). Assos was an ancient city in the region of Mysia, located on the northwestern coast of modern-day Turkey. By the time Paul arrived at Assos, he was on one of his missionary journeys, determined to encourage and strengthen believers in various churches while also hurrying toward Jerusalem to arrive before Pentecost (cf. Acts 20:16).
The phrase “we took him on board” (v.14) highlights the practical reality of travel in the first century, as Paul and his companions used ships to navigate the Aegean Sea. Being reunited at Assos shows Paul’s dedication to personal ministry as he sometimes chose overland routes, possibly to spend more time instructing believers. The second destination mentioned here, “Mitylene,” (v.14) is the principal city of the island of Lesbos, off the coast of Asia Minor. This location played an important role as a convenient harbor on the apostolic itinerary, giving Paul further opportunities to meet local believers and preach the gospel, even in passing.
Through this seemingly simple travel detail, Luke, the author of Acts, underscores how God’s work often occurs on everyday journeys and routine stops. Paul’s missionary focus and the fellowship among believers continued regardless of the shifting locations. The unwavering faith and perseverance demonstrated here embody the broader mission of carrying the good news “to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8) and remind all readers that God can use any path or crossroads for His purposes.