After the days of unleavened bread - After the seven days of the Passover, during which they ate only unleavened bread. See Exodus 12.

In five days - They crossed the Aegean Sea. Paul, when he crossed it on a former occasion, did it in two days Acts 16:11-12; but the navigation of the sea is uncertain, and they were now probably hindered by contrary winds.

Days of unleavened bread - The seven days of the passover, in which they ate unleavened bread. See the account of this festival in the notes on Exodus 12:1-51 (note). It is evident, from the manner in which St. Luke writes here, that he had not been with St. Paul since the time he accompanied him to Philippi, Acts 16:10-12; but he now embarks at Philippi with the apostle, and accompanies him to Troas, and continues with him through the rest of his journey.

To Troas in five days - So long they were making this voyage from Philippi, being obliged to keep always by the coast, and in sight of the land; for the magnetic needle was not yet known. See the situation of these places upon the map.

And we sailed away from Philippi,.... Which was in Macedonia, from whence they came in a straight course by Samothracia, over the Hellespont, to Troas, where the above six persons were waiting for them: and they set sail

after the days of unleavened bread; or the passover; which is mentioned only to observe the time of year when this voyage was taken; and not to suggest to us that Paul and his company stayed at Philippi, and kept this feast there; for the passover was only kept at Jerusalem, and besides was now abolished, and not to be observed by Christians:

and came unto them to Troas in five days; not that they were five days sailing from Philippi to Troas; but either they were so long in all, from their first setting out into Asia, to their arrival at Troas; or rather, they came to Troas within five days after the above six persons had got thither; so that they waited at Troas but five days for the apostle, and those that accompanied him.

Where we abode seven days; by what follows they came into Troas on the Lord's day evening, or early on Monday morning, and stayed there till the next Lord's day, or first day of the week; for it follows,

In five days (ἄχρις ἡμερῶν πέντε)

Lit., "up to five days," indicating the duration of the voyage from Philippi.

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

20:6 To Troas, See PNT Ac 16:8.

In five days. The winds must have been contrary. Formerly the voyage was made in two days (Ac 16:11).

20:6 We set sail - St. Luke was now with St. Paul again, as we learn from his manner of expressing himself.

Margin we

From the use of the pronoun, Luke here rejoins the apostle.

6. And we sailed . from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread-(that is, the Passover). This, compared with 1Co 16:8, shows that the three months spent at Corinth (Ac 20:3) were the winter months.

came . to Troas-for the third and last time. (See on [2073]Ac 16:8 and [2074]Ac 20:1).

in the five days-As it might have been done in two days, the wind must have been adverse. The vivid style of one now present will be here again observed.

where we abode seven days-that is, arriving on a Monday, they stayed over the Jewish sabbath and the Lord's Day following; Paul occupying himself, doubtless, in refreshing and strengthening fellowship with the brethren during the interval.

20:1-6 Tumults or opposition may constrain a Christian to remove from his station or alter his purpose, but his work and his pleasure will be the same, wherever he goes. Paul thought it worth while to bestow five days in going to Troas, though it was but for seven days' stay there; but he knew, and so should we, how to redeem even journeying time, and to make it turn to some good account.