SEV Biblia, Chapter 20:16
Porque Pablo se había propuesto pasar adelante de Efeso, por no detenerse en Asia, porque se apresuraba por hacer el día de Pentecosts, si le fuese posible, en Jerusaln.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 20:16
Verse 16. To sail by Ephesus] Not to touch there at this time. To be at Jerusalem the day of pentecost.] That he might have the opportunity of preaching the kingdom of God to multitudes of Jews from different places, who would come up to Jerusalem at that feast; and then he no doubt expected to see there a renewal of that day of pentecost in which the Spirit was poured out on the disciples, and in consequence of which so many were converted to God.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus , etc.] That is, to sail by it, without calling at it, as he did, for it lay by the shore before he came to Miletus; but he chose not to stop there, fearing he should be detained by the brethren there: because he would not spend the time in Asia ; of which Ephesus was the metropolis: for he hasted, if it were possible, for him to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost : which was near at hand; for it was but fifty days from the second day of the passover, which feast was over when he sailed from Philippi; and at Troas he stayed seven days, and he had been several days sailing already; (see Acts 20:6,13-15). And his great desire to be at the feast of Pentecost was not in order to keep that feast, according to the usage of the Jews; but that he might have an opportunity of preaching the Gospel to a great number of Jews, out of all countries, whom he knew would come to that feast.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-16 - Paul hastened to Jerusalem, but tried to do good by the way, when goin from place to place, as every good man should do. In doing God's work our own wills and those of our friends must often be crossed; we mus not spend time with them when duty calls us another way.
Greek Textus Receptus
εκρινεν 2919 5656 V-AAI-3S γαρ 1063 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM παυλος 3972 N-NSM παραπλευσαι 3896 5658 V-AAN την 3588 T-ASF εφεσον 2181 N-ASF οπως 3704 ADV μη 3361 PRT-N γενηται 1096 5638 V-2ADS-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM χρονοτριβησαι 5551 5658 V-AAN εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF ασια 773 N-DSF εσπευδεν 4692 5707 V-IAI-3S γαρ 1063 CONJ ει 1487 COND δυνατον 1415 A-NSN ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM την 3588 T-ASF ημεραν 2250 N-ASF της 3588 T-GSF πεντηκοστης 4005 N-GSF γενεσθαι 1096 5635 V-2ADN εις 1519 PREP ιεροσολυμα 2414 N-ASF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. To spend time (cronotribhsai). Only here in New Testament. The word carries the suggestion of a waste of time, being compounded with tribw, to rub; to wear out by rubbing. The sense is nearly equivalent to our expression, fritter away time.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
20:16 {For Paul had determined} (kekrikei gar ho paulos). Past perfect active (correct text) of krinw and not the aorist ekrine. Either Paul controlled the ship or the captain was willing to oblige him. {To sail past Ephesus} (parapleusai ten efeson). First aorist active infinitive of paraplew, old verb to sail beside, only here in the N.T. {That he might not have} (hopws me genetai autwi). Final clause (negative) with aorist middle subjunctive of ginomai and dative "that it might not happen to him." {To spend time} (cronotribesai). First aorist active of the late compound verb cronotribew (cronos, time, tribw, to spend), only here in the N.T. The verb tribw, to rub, to wear out by rubbing, lends itself to the idea of wasting time. It was only a year ago that Paul had left Ephesus in haste after the riot. It was not expedient to go back so soon if he meant to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost. Paul clearly felt (#Ro 15) that the presentation of this collection at Pentecost to the Jewish Christians would have a wholesome influence as it had done once before (#Ac 11:30). {He was hastening} (espeuden). Imperfect active of speudw, old verb to hasten as in #Lu 2:16; 19:56. {If it were possible for him} (ei dunaton eie autwi). Condition of the fourth class (optative mode), if it should be possible for him. The form is a remote possibility. It was only some thirty days till Pentecost. {The day of Pentecost} (ten hemeran tes pentekostes). Note the accusative case. Paul wanted to be there for the whole day. See #Ac 2:1 for this very phrase.
