Acts 20:16
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
What it says
Paul has decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in Asia because he is eager to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by Pentecost.
What it is doing
It gives the urgency behind the route.
In context
13We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot. 14And when he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15Sailing on from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The day after that we arrived at Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus. 16Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.