The Meaning of Acts 20:5 Explained

Acts 20:5

KJV: These going before tarried for us at Troas.

YLT: these, having gone before, did remain for us in Troas,

Darby: These going before waited for us in Troas;

ASV: But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

These  going before  tarried  for us  at  Troas. 

What does Acts 20:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 20:1-12 - A Messenger Of Truth And Life
The Second Epistle to the Corinthians should be read with the introductory verses of this chapter, as it reveals the Apostle's inner mind at this time. He seems to have been less impressed with the imminent peril from which he had been rescued, and more solicitous as to the condition of the church at Corinth, to which he had addressed his first Epistle during the early days of his Ephesian ministry.
Into how small a compass, Acts 20:3, the evangelist crowds the three months' ministry in Greece, where he visited the scenes of his memorable first journey. In a few lines he enumerates the companions of his return journey, and before we are well aware we are back again in Troas and on our way to Jerusalem.
Notice that reference to the breaking of bread on the first day of the week, Acts 20:7. This proves that the primitive Church was adopting the first day of the week for its characteristic meal; and as the Gentile element became predominant, it is easy to see how gradually and inevitably Sunday superseded Saturday as the rest day. See also Colossians 2:16. It is possible that Eutychus was not already dead, although believed to be so. In that case, Paul's loving embrace and prayer restored him from the swoon that might easily have become death. Can we not imagine the theme of that talk which lasted till dawn! [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 20

1  Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas
7  He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches
9  Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life
13  Paul continues his travels;
17  and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself,
28  commits God's flock to them,
29  warns them of false teachers,
32  commends them to God,
36  prays with them, and departs

Greek Commentary for Acts 20:5

Were waiting for us in Troas [εμενον ημας εν Τροιαδι]
Here again we have “us” for the first time since chapter 16 where Paul was with Luke in Philippi. Had Luke remained all this time in Philippi? We do not know, but he is with Paul now till Rome is reached. The seven brethren of Acts 20:4 went on ahead from Philippi to Troas while Paul remained with Luke in Philippi. [source]
Us []
The first person resumed, indicating that Luke had joined Paul. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 20:5

Acts 16:10 We sought [εζητησαμεν]
This sudden use of the plural, dropped in Acts 17:1 when Paul leaves Philippi, and resumed in Acts 20:5 when Paul rejoins Luke in Philippi, argues conclusively that Luke, the author, is in the party (“we” portions of Acts) and shows in a writer of such literary skill as Luke that he is not copying a document in a blundering sort of way. Paul told his vision to the party and they were all ready to respond to the call. [source]
Acts 20:23 In every city [κατα πολιν]
Singular here though plural in κατ οικους — kat' oikous (Acts 20:20). Bonds and afflictions (δεσμα και τλιπσεις — desma kai thlipseis). Both together as in Philemon 1:17; 2 Corinthians 1:8. Literal bonds and actual pressures. Abide me With the accusative as in Acts 20:5 (εμενον ημας — emenon hēmas) and nowhere else in the N.T. [source]
Acts 20:23 Abide me [με μενουσιν]
With the accusative as in Acts 20:5 (εμενον ημας — emenon hēmas) and nowhere else in the N.T. [source]
2 Timothy 4:12 Tychicus []
A comparatively uncommon name in N.T., but found in inscriptions of Asia Minor and on Asiatic coins. He is mentioned Acts 20:4, Acts 20:5; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7. In Acts 20:4he is described as a native of proconsular Asia. [source]
2 Timothy 4:11 Luke []
See Introd. to Luke. His connection with Paul appears first in Acts 16:10. He remained at Philippi after Paul's departure, and was there seven years later, when Paul revisited the city (Acts 20:5, Acts 20:6). He accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 21:15), after which we lose sight of him until he appears at Caesarea (Acts 27:2), whence he accompanies Paul to Rome. He is mentioned Colossians 4:14and Philemon 1:24. [source]
Hebrews 12:27 That the things which cannot be shaken may remain [ἵνα μείνῃ τὰ μὴ σαλευόμενα]
Whether we consider the things which are shaken, the old heavens and earth which pass away, or the new heaven and earth which cannot be shaken, both are πεποιημένα madeby God. The writer perceives this, and therefore adds to as of things that are made a clause stating that they were made (by God himself) to pass away. Accordingly, ἵνα inorder that is to be connected with πεποιημένων , after which the comma should be removed. Rend. “the removal of things made in order that they might await the things which are not shaken.” Μένειν is used in this sense, await, Acts 20:5, Acts 20:23, and often in Class. [source]
Revelation 1:4 To the seven churches which are in Asia [ταις επτα εκκλησιαις ταις εν τηι Ασιαι]
Dative case as in a letter (Galatians 1:1). John is writing, but the revelation is from God and Christ through an angel. It is the Roman province of Asia which included the western part of Phrygia. There were churches also at Troas (Acts 20:5.) and at Colossal and Hierapolis (Colossians 1:1; Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:13) and possibly at Magnesia and Tralles. But these seven were the best points of communication with seven districts (Ramsay) and, besides, seven is a favorite number of completion (like the full week) in the book (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:16; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:6; Revelation 8:2; Revelation 10:3; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 14:6.). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 20:5 mean?

These also having gone ahead waited for us in Troas
οὗτοι δὲ προελθόντες ἔμενον ἡμᾶς ἐν Τρῳάδι

οὗτοι  These 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
δὲ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
προελθόντες  having  gone  ahead 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: προέρχομαι  
Sense: to go forward, go on.
ἔμενον  waited  for 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: μένω  
Sense: to remain, abide.
ἡμᾶς  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
Τρῳάδι  Troas 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Τρῳάς  
Sense: a city near Hellespont.