Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
To the ship (epi to ploion). Note article. It is possible that Paul's party had chartered a coasting vessel from Philippi or Troas to take them to Patara in Lycia. Hence the boat stopped when and where Paul wished. That is possible, but not certain, for Paul could simply have accommodated himself to the plans of the ship's managers.
To take in Paul (analambanein ton Paulon). So in verse Acts 20:14. Same use in II Timothy 4:11: "Picking up Mark" (Markon analabwn). Assos was a seaport south of Troas in Mysia in the province of Asia.
He had appointed (diatetagmenov hn). Past perfect periphrastic middle of diatassw, old verb to give orders (military in particular).
To go by land (pezeuein). Present active infinitive of pezeuw, old verb to go on foot, not on horse back or in a carriage or by ship. Here only in the N.T. It was about twenty miles over a paved Roman road, much shorter (less than half) than the sea voyage around Cape Lectum. It was a beautiful walk in the spring-time and no doubt Paul enjoyed it whatever his reason was for going thus to Assos while the rest went by sea. Certainly he was entitled to a little time alone, this one day, as Jesus sought the Father in the night watches (Matthew 14:23).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 20:13:
Luke 8:22
Acts 1:2
Acts 20:3
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