Without recourse. All Rights Reserved. Tree of Life^©

Statement of belief: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17 KJV)

Revised 5928± 06 15 2024 [2008-09-17]

The Apostolic Church Council

in Jerusalem

at Hag Ha-Shavout

[the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost]

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This meeting took place on

the Seventh Day of the week, Sivan 12, 44 CE [June 27, 44 CE.]

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Plus the Before and After Story per Acts 19-28 and more

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The Tree of Life Times Version^© (TLT^©) of Acts

With Special Emphasis upon Bringing Out

the Many Time References

Clearly Expressed in Textus Receptus

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“Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters!” (Rev. 14:7.)

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:” Gen. 1:14

Am I amiss if I rephrase the above quoted passage from Revelation with the following words - while doing my best in conforming to that admonition?:

“Praise the Lord, the Creator of Time, of every word and every name, of all things firm and of substance, of all things flowing, of people, and even of the solid foundation of every thought ever existing!”

Abstract:

Based upon the light our Creator has presently shed upon the details of the exact timing of numerous events in the New Testament, including also the exact dates pertaining to Paul’s visits in Jerusalem in the 4^th and 14^th year after his conversion, it is now possible to improve upon the otherwise very excellent translation of the Holy Scriptures known as KJV. KJV is one of the rare current translations based upon Textus Receptus. The Textus Receptus manuscripts are by far the most reliable among the extant Greek manuscripts of the New Testament.

I am presenting below what I believe is a considerable improvement upon the KJV, in that it more accurately represents those parts of the Textus Receptus Greek text that exactly specifies dated events recorded in the most reliable Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. All dates presented below and within my extended study are correlated with numerous astronomical data and with the best available records produced by contemporaneous historians, especially those of Josephus, Suetonius and Tacitus.

The below 44 CE scenario for Paul’s meeting with the apostles in Jerusalem at Pentecost is based originally upon my discovery that Aviv 21, 44 CE [Saturday May 9, 44 CE] allows for a concurrent weekly Shabbat and Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, as required by the Textus Receptus text in Acts 20:6-7, including also the subsequent record (Acts 20:13-21:4) of Paul’s daily itinerary until his arrival in Tyre in time to spend the Sabbath with the disciples there.

Naturally, locking ourselves into any particular date, such as e.g. Aviv 21, 44 CE [Saturday May 9, 44 CE,] will have consequences and will considerably narrow our choices when attempting to interpret and apply other timed references within a given text, e.g. Textus Receptus or any given historical record. In particular the very late - May 9 - Aviv 21, 44 CE option locks our numbering of the lunar months as far down as through Adar, 47 CE [i.e. through March 16, 47 CE (cf. the Biblical Lunar Months indicated in the Phases of the Moon tables with bold blue larger font.)]

Legend:

[The changes within my proposed improved text below are displayed in red font. The corresponding KJV passages may be found, with improvable passages indicated in blue font, at this link. Within brackets I have added brief explanatory notes also in red font. More extensive Explanatory Notes are added between verses. No bracketed text, except as quoted, is part of Textus Receptus.]

The below Tree of Life Times Version^© (TLT^©) by Tree of Life^© is a more literal translation [in comparison to KJV] of selected passages of Textus Receptus with a special focus upon correct time references:

Act 13:14 TLT+ But¹¹⁶¹ when they⁸⁴⁶ departed¹³³⁰ from⁵⁷⁵ Perga,⁴⁰¹¹ they came³⁸⁵⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Antioch⁴⁹⁰ in Pisidia,⁴⁰⁹⁹ and²⁵³² went¹⁵²⁵ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue⁴⁸⁶⁴ on the³⁵⁸⁸ Day²²⁵⁰ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Sabbaths,⁴⁵²¹ [cf. Explanatory Note # 1 below] and sat down.²⁵²³

Explanatory Note # 1:

The Greek words used in Textus Receptus ”τη^{3588 T-DSF} ημερα^{2250 N-DSF} των^{3588 T-GPN} σαββατων^{4521 N-GPN},” are literally translated “the Day of the Sabbaths.” The two key words translated “the Day” are both in the feminine dative singular format; dative indicating “point of time” (cf. Jay, Eric G., New Testament Greek, pp. 27, 32, & 141.)

The same Greek words, ”τη^{3588 T-DSF} ημερα^{2250 N-DSF} των^{3588 T-GPN} σαββατων^{4521 N-GPN},” are found also in Luke 4:16 and in Acts 16:13. What day exactly is signified by these Greek words? Let’s pursue this matter further below! Cf. Explanatory Note # 2: below!

Act 13:15 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ after³³²⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ reading³²⁰ of the³⁵⁸⁸ law³⁵⁵¹ and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ prophets⁴³⁹⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ rulers of the synagogue⁷⁵² sent⁶⁴⁹ unto⁴³¹⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ saying,³⁰⁰⁴ Ye men⁴³⁵ and brethren,⁸⁰ if¹⁴⁸⁷ ye have^{2076, 1722, 5213} any word³⁰⁵⁶ of exhortation³⁸⁷⁴ for⁴³¹⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ people,²⁹⁹² say on.³⁰⁰⁴

Act 13:42 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ when the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ were gone¹⁸²⁶ out of¹⁵³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue,⁴⁸⁶⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ Gentiles¹⁴⁸⁴ besought³⁸⁷⁰ that these⁵⁰²³ words⁴⁴⁸⁷ might be preached²⁹⁸⁰ to them⁸⁴⁸ through the³⁵⁸⁸ ensuing³³⁴² sabbath hours.⁴⁵²¹

Act 13:43 KJV+ Now¹¹⁶¹ when the³⁵⁸⁸ congregation⁴⁸⁶⁴ was broken up,³⁰⁸⁹ many⁴¹⁸³ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ and²⁵³² religious⁴⁵⁷⁶ proselytes⁴³³⁹ followed¹⁹⁰ Paul³⁹⁷² and²⁵³² Barnabas:⁹²¹ who,³⁷⁴⁸ speaking to⁴³⁵⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ persuaded³⁹⁸² them⁸⁴⁶ to continue¹⁹⁶¹ in the³⁵⁸⁸ grace⁵⁴⁸⁵ of God.²³¹⁶

Act 13:44 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ as the³⁵⁸⁸ sabbath⁴⁵²¹ passed along²⁰⁶⁴ almost⁴⁹⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ whole³⁹⁵⁶ city⁴¹⁷² was gathered⁴⁸⁶³ to hear¹⁹¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of God.²³¹⁶

Explanatory Note # 2:

What special day is being referenced by the words literally meaning “the Day of the Sabbaths?”

The important Greek words for our purposes in Textus Receptus are:

”Acts 13:42 εις^{1519 PREP} το^{3588 T-ASN} μεταξυ^{3342 ADV} σαββατον^{4521 N-ASN}.”; and

”Acts 13:44 τω^{3588 T-DSN} δε^{1161 CONJ} ερχομενω^{2064 V-PNP-DSN} σαββατω^{4521 N-DSN}.”

What is the significance of the two Greek words indicated in red font above, both of which are translated simply by the word “next” in KJV? Might these words possibly indicate that we are dealing with two special Sabbaths joined to one another one way or another? If such were to be the case they are, of course, most helpful in establishing the exact year for the events here recorded…

Re Acts 13:44 and the Greek word “ερχομενω²⁰⁶⁴:”

I notice that the grammatical format of “ερχομενω²⁰⁶⁴” is “dat. sing. masc. & neut. part. pres.” (cf. The Analytical Greek Lexicon, Zondervan Publishing House (1970.)) As we have learnt before the dative indicates “point of time” (cf. Jay, Eric G., New Testament Greek, p. 141.) What I find significant here are the words “part. pres.” also indicated by Strong’s G2064: “Middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses.”

Could it be that the time here referenced points to another meeting within the same 24 hour Shabbat, or perhaps even to an adjoining Shabbat following immediately upon the first, i.e. within one and the same 48 hour period? Let’s consider the possibilities:

1. Suppose the term “the Day of the Sabbaths” indicates Hag Ha-Shavout (Pentecost) and that Paul is observing this day upon the First Day of the week, i.e. upon a Sunday. But then the adjoining Sabbath would precede, not follow said “Day of the Sabbaths,” would it not? Thus, this is not a valid option, is it?

2. Suppose the term “the Day of the Sabbaths” indicates Hag Ha-Shavout and that Paul is observing this day upon the Seventh Day of the week [i.e. during the period of time between sunset Friday and sunset Saturday.] But then the “next Sabbath” must follow within said “Day of the Sabbaths,” and within the same 24 hour period, must it not? This is a potentially valid option, is it not?

3. Perhaps someone would argue that “the Day of Jubilee,” aka. “the Day of Pentecost,” is to be observed on the First Day of the week [Sunday] and that it is one of the “extra Shabbats” designated in the Torah as a special day of rest and that the words “next Sabbath” points to said Day of Jubilee on the subsequent day? After studying this matter intently in the Torah and in the rest of the Holy Scriptures I have found no evidence that Hag Ha-Shavout / Pentecost should ever be observed on anything but the Seventh Day Shabbat, nor that anyone in the New Testament (cf. Explanatory Note # 24: below!) ever did observe it on any day but the Seventh Day Shabbat. Thus, I do not find this option a valid option, should I?

4. Suppose the term “the Day of the Sabbaths” indicates the Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and that Paul is observing this day upon the Sixth Day of the week, i.e. upon a Friday. The “next Sabbath” would then follow immediately upon the former while also being in immediate union with said “Day of the Sabbaths,” would it not? This then may at first seem like a potentially valid option, does it not? However, we have learned elsewhere in this study that the Greek term used in Textus Receptus for “the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread” is “τη^{3588 T-DSF} μια^{1520 A-DSF} των^{3588 T-GPN} σαββατων^{4521 N-GPN},” etc., not “τη^{3588 T-DSF} ημερα^{2250 N-DSF} των^{3588 T-GPN} σαββατων^{4521 N-GPN}.” Thus, I do not consider this a valid or likely option, or should I?

5. Suppose the term “the Day of the Sabbaths” indicates one of the Sabbaths of Omer and that Paul is observing this day upon the Seventh Day of the week [i.e. during the period of time between sunset Friday and sunset Saturday.] But then the “next Sabbath” must follow within said “Day of the Sabbaths,” and within the same 24 hour period, or else, like any weekly Sabbath, reference a subsequent Sabbath seven days later, must it not? This may seem a potentially valid option, but then there are seven consecutive Shabbats like this one, whereas the Greek words used seem to indicate a day much more definite, i.e., as literally translated, “the Day of the Sabbaths,” do they not? Thus, in the end I do not find this option likely either.

In the end I find only #2 above a valid option. I.e. the term “the Day of the Sabbaths” indicates Hag Ha-Shavout and that Paul is observing this day upon the Seventh Day of the week [i.e. during the period of time between sunset Friday and sunset Saturday.] Cf. also the analysis of Luke 4:16!

It would seem, perhaps, that the author of Acts would more likely have been using the same term, “την^{3588 T-ASF} ημεραν^{2250 N-ASF} της^{3588 T-GSF} πεντηκοστης^{4005 N-GSF},” as he used in Acts 2:1 and Acts 20:16 for describing this particular day, but apparently these are synonymous terms. Or perhaps I am in error on this particular point?

If my conclusions above are correct then the record of Acts 13:14-48 all represent events occurring within one 24 hour day, i.e. from the sunset at the beginning of “the Day of the Sabbaths” / “Hag Ha-Shavout” / “the Day of Jubilee” / “the Feast of Weeks” / “the Day of Pentecost,” until sunset about 24 hours later.

Notice the similarity between the terms “the Day of the Sabbaths” and “the Feast of Weeks!” As far as I am aware there is no NT Greek words corresponding to the English word ‘week.’ In every instance where KJV is using the word ‘week’ or ‘weeks’ the corresponding Greek word is based on the word “σάββατον” meaning Shabbat. Accordingly, the term “the Feast of Weeks” is very likely based upon the very same Greek words as the term “the Day of the Sabbaths.”

Re Acts 13:42 and the Greek word “μεταξυ³³⁴²:”

Strong’s G3342: “μεταξυ From G3326 and a form of G4862; betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective intervening, or (by implication) adjoining”

Strong’s G3326: “μετα A primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly denoting accompaniment; “amid” (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive case association, or accusative case succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 or G1537 and G1519 or G4314; less intimate than G1722, and less close than G4862)”

Strong’s G4862: “σύν A primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than G3326 or G3844), that is, by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.”

It seems to me that the use of this Greek word ‘μεταξυ’ indicates that the point in time referenced is in immediate contact with the Sabbath referenced in the prior verses. This impression seems strengthened by what is said above about the use of the Greek word ‘ερχομενω’ translated “next” in KJV, which Greek word is being used as such only in the grammatical format known as “part. pres..”

However, the exact interpretation re this matter is of minor consequence once we have ruled out the possibility that these words might indicate two adjoining 24hour days, i.e. Sabbaths.

An important note re the use of this Greek word ‘μεταξυ’ is furnished by Earnest L. Martin (cf. Earnest L. Martin, “The Star that Astonished the World,” chapter 5, Part 1 & 2.) There are good reasons for believing that this word ‘μεταξυ’ is a special reference to one of the special Shabbats of the year (during the biblical feasts) intervening between the other regular weekly Shabbats of the year during which temple services were performed by one of the 24 families of priests and Levites appointed by Samuel and David for that purpose. Because there were plenty of priests available during these special Shabbats there was no need for these temple services to be performed by those 24 courses of priests and Levites. (Cf. the discussion under “I. The timing of John the Baptist’s conception and delivery.”) Accordingly, the use of this Greek word constitutes further corroboration not only that the Shabbat referenced in Acts 13:14 is indeed the Day of Pentecost, but also that the Shabbat referenced in Acts 13:42 is a reference to the very same 24 hour day. Had those two verses somehow been written in the reverse order one might perhaps be able to conceive some evidence for these texts giving support to the recent tradition of celebrating the Day of Pentecost on a Sunday, but as it is, while considering especially that traveling such as is referenced in Acts 13:14 is not a likely Seventh Day Shabbat activity, these words used in Acts 13:14, 42 are indeed very strong additional evidence that the Day of Pentecost was observed by Jews and Christians alike on the Seventh Day of the week during the First Century.

Re the timing of the events in Acts 13:

As noted in my above analysis I have found no basis, within Acts 13:43-44, useful for establishing the exact year for the events in Acts 13. However, considering the words translated “long time” in Acts 14:3 & 28, and the supporting Greek words in Textus Receptus, I would tend to place the events recorded in Acts 13:14-48 within the first few of the years 30 CE through 40 CE.

Act 15:32 KJV+ And⁵⁰³⁷ Judas²⁴⁵⁵ and²⁵³² Silas,⁴⁶⁰⁹ being⁵⁶⁰⁷ prophets⁴³⁹⁶ also²⁵³² themselves,⁸⁴⁸ exhorted³⁸⁷⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ with¹²²³ many⁴¹⁸³ words,³⁰⁵⁶ and²⁵³² confirmed¹⁹⁹¹ them.

Act 15:33 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ after they had tarried⁴¹⁶⁰ there a space,⁵⁵⁵⁰ they were let go⁶³⁰ in³³²⁶ peace¹⁵¹⁵ from⁵⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ unto⁴³¹⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ apostles.⁶⁵²

Act 15:33 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ after they had tarried⁴¹⁶⁰ there a space,⁵⁵⁵⁰ they were dismissed⁶³⁰ in³³²⁶ peace¹⁵¹⁵ from⁵⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ unto⁴³¹⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ apostles.⁶⁵²

Act 15:34 KJV+ Notwithstanding¹¹⁶¹ it pleased¹³⁸⁰ Silas⁴⁶⁰⁹ to abide¹⁹⁶¹ there⁸⁴⁷ still.

Explanatory Note # 3

The Greek word “απελυθησαν⁶³⁰,” per Strong’s Dictionary, means “to free fully, that is, (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon, or (specifically) divorce: - (let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.” Per The Analytical Greek Lexicon this word is written in the format “3p. pl. aor.1, ind. pass.,” thus giving support to the translation “they,” i.e. that the dismissed party refers to more than one.

Accordingly, it is clear that said word is giving reference to an action, not of “Judas and Silas” (cf. Acts 15:27) who were being dismissed (i.e. the object of said dismissing action, but to the brethren, the church, in Antioch. Verse 34 makes it clear that Silas, one of the two being dismissed, chose to “abide there still,” i.e. to remain, while Judas presumably returned “unto the apostles” in Jerusalem.

The words “and confirmed them” (Acts 15:32) could be an indication that the epistle of Jude was being authored by Judas while in Antioch. I also notice that Acts 15:23-29, being either a quote or a summary of “the epistle” referenced in Acts 15:30, may well be a brief note attached to the “letters” that “they wrote.” It appears from the context (cf. Gal. 2:9) that Peter, James, and John each wrote an epistle in Jerusalem and that Luke, the author of Acts, is here either giving a summary of said three epistles, or else is here quoting a joint cover letter unto said three epistles.

Act 15:35 KJV+ Paul³⁹⁷² also¹¹⁶¹ and²⁵³² Barnabas⁹²¹ continued¹³⁰⁴ in¹⁷²² Antioch,⁴⁹⁰ teaching¹³²¹ and²⁵³² preaching²⁰⁹⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord,²⁹⁶² with³³²⁶ many⁴¹⁸³ others²⁰⁸⁷ also.²⁵³²

Act 15:36 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ some⁵¹⁰⁰ days²²⁵⁰ after³³²⁶ Paul³⁹⁷² said²⁰³⁶ unto⁴³¹⁴ Barnabas,⁹²¹ Let us go again^{1994, (1211)} and visit¹⁹⁸⁰ our²²⁵⁷ brethren⁸⁰ in²⁵⁹⁶ every³⁹⁵⁶ city⁴¹⁷² where^{1722, 3739} we have preached²⁶⁰⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord,²⁹⁶² and see how⁴⁴⁵⁹ they do.²¹⁹²

Act 15:37 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ Barnabas⁹²¹ determined¹⁰¹¹ to take with⁴⁸³⁸ them John,²⁴⁹¹ whose surname was²⁵⁶⁴ Mark.³¹³⁸

Act 15:38 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ Paul³⁹⁷² thought not good^{515, 3361} to take him with^{4838, 5126} them, who departed⁸⁶⁸ from⁵⁷⁵ them⁸⁴⁶ from⁵⁷⁵ Pamphylia,³⁸²⁸ and²⁵³² went not with^{4905, 3361} them⁸⁴⁶ to¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ work.²⁰⁴¹

Act 15:39 KJV+ And³⁷⁶⁷ the contention was so sharp between^{3948, 1096} them, that⁵⁶²⁰ they⁸⁴⁶ departed asunder⁶⁷³ one from the other:^{575, 240} and⁵⁰³⁷ so Barnabas⁹²¹ took³⁸⁸⁰ Mark,³¹³⁸ and sailed¹⁶⁰² unto¹⁵¹⁹ Cyprus;²⁹⁵⁴

Act 15:40 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ Paul³⁹⁷² chose¹⁹⁵¹ Silas,⁴⁶⁰⁹ and departed,¹⁸³¹ being recommended³⁸⁶⁰ by⁵²⁵⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ unto the³⁵⁸⁸ grace⁵⁴⁸⁵ of God.²³¹⁶

Act 15:41 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ he went through¹³³⁰ Syria⁴⁹⁴⁷ and²⁵³² Cilicia,²⁷⁹¹ confirming¹⁹⁹¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ churches.¹⁵⁷⁷

Explanatory Note # 4:

It is important to notice that at Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem within the 14 year period, as specified in Galatians 2:1, Paul was still in the company of Barnabas, while Barnabas is not named (Acts 20:4-5) among those who traveled with Paul to Jerusalem prior to Paul’s sojourn to Rome. Thus Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem (Acts 15:2-30) must be tied to the beginning of his 2^nd “mission trip” (Acts 15:40-41.) Acts 15:39-41 (cf. above) records the events associated with the separation between Paul and Barnabas. Cf. also Explanatory Note # 5: below!

It is also important to notice that there is no evidence of any prolonged time period between Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem and the beginning of his “2^nd mission trip” (which is recorded in Acts 15:40-41.) A simple study into the Greek words translated (in KJV) “tarried⁴¹⁶⁰ there a space⁵⁵⁵⁰ ” (Acts 15:33,) “continued¹³⁰⁴ in¹⁷²² Antioch,⁴⁹⁰ ” (Acts 15:35,) and “some⁵¹⁰⁰ days²²⁵⁰ after³³²⁶ ” (Acts 15:36) satisfies me that indeed there is no evidence in Acts 15:33-41 of any prolonged time periods involved.

Considering the distance between Antioch and Troas (Acts 16:1-8,) the unlikeliness of traveling far distances afoot during the heat of the summer, the arrival in Philippi prior to the Day of Sabbaths, which is most likely the same as the Feast of Weeks, Hag Ha-Shavout, and the Day of Pentecost, I find it most likely that Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem took place at the time of the Day of At-One-Ment and/or at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles of that particular year.

Act 16:11 KJV+ Therefore³⁷⁶⁷ loosing³²¹ from⁵⁷⁵ Troas,⁵¹⁷⁴ we came with a straight course²¹¹³ to¹⁵¹⁹ Samothracia,⁴⁵⁴³ and⁵⁰³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ next¹⁹⁶⁶ day to¹⁵¹⁹ Neapolis;³⁴⁹⁶

Act 16:12 KJV+ And⁵⁰³⁷ from thence¹⁵⁶⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Philippi,⁵³⁷⁵ which³⁷⁴⁸ is²⁰⁷⁶ the chief⁴⁴¹³ city⁴¹⁷² of that part³³¹⁰ of Macedonia,³¹⁰⁹ and a colony:²⁸⁶² and¹¹⁶¹ we were²²⁵⁸ in¹⁷²² that⁵⁰²⁶ city⁴¹⁷² abiding¹³⁰⁴ certain⁵¹⁰⁰ days.²²⁵⁰

Act 16:13 TLT+ And⁵⁰³⁷ on the³⁵⁸⁸ Day²²⁵⁰ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Sabbaths⁴⁵²¹ [cf. Explanatory Note # 5 below] we went¹⁸³¹ out¹⁸⁵⁴ of the³⁵⁸⁸ city⁴¹⁷² by³⁸⁴⁴ a river side,⁴²¹⁵ where³⁷⁵⁷ prayer⁴³³⁵ was wont³⁵⁴³ to be made;¹⁵¹¹ and²⁵³² we sat down,²⁵²³ and spake²⁹⁸⁰ unto the³⁵⁸⁸ women¹¹³⁵ which resorted⁴⁹⁰⁵ thither.

Explanatory Note # 5:

Considering carefully Galatians 1:18 – 2:1, Acts 15:2-4, 36-41; 20:4-5, as well as the years of reign, and the year of death, of Herod Agrippa(I,) I am forced to conclude that Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem (Acts 15:2-31) took place in the civil year beginning Tishri 1, 39 CE (cf. Explanatory Note # 4: above,) perhaps in connection with the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall of 39 CE or in connection with Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the spring of 40 CE.

If (Option #A) I am also correct in identifying “the Day of the Shabbats” as Hag Ha-Shavout / Day of Pentecost / Feast of Weeks, then I am forced to conclude also that the events at Philippi, as recorded in Acts 16:12 (probably through verse 15,) took place Sivan 10th (or 11th) or else Sivan (8th or) 9th, 40 CE [corresponding to May 23, 40 CE, or else June 20, 40 CE.]

If, on the other hand (Option #B,) “the Day of the Shabbats” does not refer to the Feast of Weeks, then the events at Philippi could have taken place as early as late fall of 39 CE.

Act 16:25 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ at²⁵⁹⁶ midnight³³¹⁷ Paul³⁹⁷² and²⁵³² Silas⁴⁶⁰⁹ prayed,⁴³³⁶ and²⁵³² sang praises⁵²¹⁴ unto God:²³¹⁶ and¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ prisoners¹¹⁹⁸ heard¹⁸⁷⁴ them.⁸⁴⁶

Act 16:26 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ suddenly⁸⁶⁹ there was¹⁰⁹⁶ a great³¹⁷³ earthquake,⁴⁵⁷⁸ so that⁵⁶²⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ foundations²³¹⁰ of the³⁵⁸⁸ prison¹²⁰¹ were shaken:⁴⁵³¹ and⁵⁰³⁷ immediately³⁹¹⁶ all³⁹⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ doors²³⁷⁴ were opened,⁴⁵⁵ and²⁵³² every one's³⁹⁵⁶ bands¹¹⁹⁹ were loosed.⁴⁴⁷

Explanatory Note # 6:

“…at midnight… a great earthquake…” This is an interesting event that could potentially be helpful in dating more exactly the events recorded in Acts 16:19-40.

Act 17:1 KJV+ Now¹¹⁶¹ when they had passed through¹³⁵³ Amphipolis²⁹⁵ and²⁵³² Apollonia,⁶²⁴ they came²⁰⁶⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Thessalonica,²³³² where³⁶⁹⁹ was²²⁵⁸ a synagogue⁴⁸⁶⁴ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews:²⁴⁵³

Act 17:2 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ Paul,³⁹⁷² as his manner was,^{2596, 1486} went in¹⁵²⁵ unto⁴³¹⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ and²⁵³² three⁽⁵¹⁴⁰⁾ sabbath days⁴⁵²¹ reasoned¹²⁵⁶ with them⁸⁴⁶ out of⁵⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ Scriptures,¹¹²⁴

Explanatory Note # 7

These three Sabbaths are consecutive to the great earthquake and the events referenced in Acts 16:19-40.

Act 17:10 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ immediately²¹¹² sent away^{1599 (5037)} Paul³⁹⁷² and²⁵³² Silas⁴⁶⁰⁹ by¹²²³ night³⁵⁷¹ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Berea:⁹⁶⁰ who³⁷⁴⁸ coming³⁸⁵⁴ thither went⁵⁴⁹ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue⁴⁸⁶⁴ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews.²⁴⁵³

Act 17:11 KJV+ These⁽³⁷⁷⁸⁾ were²²⁵⁸ more noble²¹⁰⁴ than those³⁵⁸⁸ in¹⁷²² Thessalonica,²³³² in that they³⁷⁴⁸ received¹²⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ with³³²⁶ all³⁹⁵⁶ readiness of mind,⁴²⁸⁸ and searched³⁵⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ Scriptures¹¹²⁴ daily,^{2596, 2250} whether¹⁴⁸⁷ those things⁵⁰²³ were²¹⁹² so.³⁷⁷⁹

Act 17:12 KJV+ Therefore³⁷⁶⁷ many^{4183 (3303)} of¹⁵³⁷ them⁸⁴⁶ believed;⁴¹⁰⁰ also²⁵³² of honorable²¹⁵⁸ women¹¹³⁵ which were Greeks,¹⁶⁷⁴ and²⁵³² of men,⁴³⁵ not³⁷⁵⁶ a few.³⁶⁴¹

Act 17:13 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ when⁵⁶¹³ the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ of⁵⁷⁵ Thessalonica²³³² had knowledge¹⁰⁹⁷ that³⁷⁵⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of God²³¹⁶ was preached²⁶⁰⁵ of⁵²⁵⁹ Paul³⁹⁷² at¹⁷²² Berea,⁹⁶⁰ they came²⁰⁶⁴ thither also,²⁵⁴⁶ and stirred up⁴⁵³¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ people.³⁷⁹³

Act 17:14 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ then⁵¹¹⁹ immediately²¹¹² the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ sent away¹⁸²¹ Paul³⁹⁷² to go⁴¹⁹⁸ as it were⁵⁶¹³ to¹⁹⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ sea:²²⁸¹ but^{1161 (5037)} Silas⁴⁶⁰⁹ and²⁵³² Timothy⁵⁰⁹⁵ abode⁵²⁷⁸ there¹⁵⁶³ still.

Act 17:15 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ they that conducted²⁵²⁵ Paul³⁹⁷² brought⁷¹ him⁸⁴⁶ unto²¹⁹³ Athens:¹¹⁶ and²⁵³² receiving²⁹⁸³ a commandment¹⁷⁸⁵ unto⁴³¹⁴ Silas⁴⁶⁰⁹ and²⁵³² Timothy⁵⁰⁹⁵ for to come²⁰⁶⁴ to⁴³¹⁴ him⁸⁴⁶ with all speed,^{5613, 5033} they departed.¹⁸²⁶

Act 17:16 KJV+ Now¹¹⁶¹ while Paul³⁹⁷² waited for¹⁵⁵¹ them⁸⁴⁶ at¹⁷²² Athens,¹¹⁶ his⁸⁴⁸ spirit⁴¹⁵¹ was stirred³⁹⁴⁷ in¹⁷²² him,⁸⁴⁶ when he saw²³³⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ city⁴¹⁷² wholly given to idolatry.²⁷¹²

Explanatory Note # 8

Cf. Explanatory Note # 9 below!

Act 17:17 KJV+ Therefore³⁷⁶⁷ disputed¹²⁵⁶ he⁽³³⁰³⁾ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue⁴⁸⁶⁴ with the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews,²⁴⁵³ and²⁵³² with the³⁵⁸⁸ devout persons,⁴⁵⁷⁶ and²⁵³² in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ market⁵⁸ daily^{2596, 3956, 2250} with⁴³¹⁴ them that met with³⁹⁰⁹ him.

Act 17:33 KJV+ ⁽²⁵³²⁾ So³⁷⁷⁹ Paul³⁹⁷² departed¹⁸³¹ from¹⁵³⁷ among³³¹⁹ them.⁸⁴⁶

Act 17:34 KJV+ Howbeit¹¹⁶¹ certain⁵¹⁰⁰ men⁴³⁵ cleaved²⁸⁵³ unto him,⁸⁴⁶ and²⁵³² believed:⁴¹⁰⁰ among¹⁷²² the which³⁷³⁹ was Dionysius¹³⁵⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ Areopagite,⁶⁹⁸ and²⁵³² a woman¹¹³⁵ named³⁶⁸⁶ Damaris,¹¹⁵² and²⁵³² others²⁰⁸⁷ with⁴⁸⁶² them.⁸⁴⁶

Act 18:1 KJV+ ⁽¹¹⁶¹⁾ After³³²⁶ these things⁵⁰²³ Paul³⁹⁷² departed⁵⁵⁶³ from¹⁵³⁷ Athens¹¹⁶ and came²⁰⁶⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Corinth;²⁸⁸²

Act 18:2 KJV+ And²⁵³² found²¹⁴⁷ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ Jew²⁴⁵³ named³⁶⁸⁶ Aquila,²⁰⁷ born¹⁰⁸⁵ in Pontus,⁴¹⁹³ lately⁴³⁷³ come²⁰⁶⁴ from⁵⁷⁵ Italy,²⁴⁸² with²⁵³² his⁸⁴⁸ wife¹¹³⁵ Priscilla; because that⁴²⁵² (Claudius²⁸⁰⁴ had commanded¹²⁹⁹ all³⁹⁵⁶ Jews²⁴⁵³ to depart⁵⁵⁶³ from¹⁵³⁷ Rome:)⁴⁵¹⁶ and came⁴³³⁴ unto them.⁸⁴⁶

Act 18:3 KJV+ And²⁵³² because he was¹⁵¹¹ of the³⁵⁸⁸ same craft,³⁶⁷³ he abode³³⁰⁶ with³⁸⁴⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ and²⁵³² wrought:²⁰³⁸ for¹⁰⁶³ by their occupation⁵⁰⁷⁸ they were²²⁵⁸ tentmakers.⁴⁶³⁵

Act 18:4 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ he reasoned¹²⁵⁶ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue⁴⁸⁶⁴ every^{2596, 3956} sabbath,⁴⁵²¹ and⁵⁰³⁷ persuaded³⁹⁸² the Jews²⁴⁵³ and²⁵³² the Greeks.¹⁶⁷²

Act 18:5 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when^{5613 (5037)} Silas⁴⁶⁰⁹ and²⁵³² Timothy⁵⁰⁹⁵ were come²⁷¹⁸ from⁵⁷⁵ Macedonia,³¹⁰⁹ Paul³⁹⁷² was pressed⁴⁹¹² in the³⁵⁸⁸ spirit,⁴¹⁵¹ and testified¹²⁶³ to the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ that Jesus²⁴²⁴ was Christ.⁵⁵⁴⁷

Explanatory Note # 9

It appears from this verse that, although Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, Paul did not stay in Athens long enough for those men to arrive before Paul moved on to Corinth. Cf. Acts 17:16, 33, & 18:1.

If indeed “the Day of the Sabbaths” is synonymous with “the Feast of Weeks” then these events occurred in the summer 40 CE. That these events took place in the summer and not in the winter, i.e. after the Feast of Weeks / Pentecost, seems confirmed by Paul’s traveling by sea as recorded in Acts 16:11 and Acts 17:14.

Act 18:6 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when they⁸⁴⁶ opposed themselves,⁴⁹⁸ and²⁵³² blasphemed,⁹⁸⁷ he shook¹⁶²¹ his raiment,²⁴⁴⁰ and said²⁰³⁶ unto⁴³¹⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ Your⁵²¹⁶ blood¹²⁹ be upon¹⁹⁰⁹ your own⁵²¹⁶ heads;²⁷⁷⁶ I¹⁴⁷³ am clean:²⁵¹³ from⁵⁷⁵ henceforth³⁵⁶⁸ I will go⁴¹⁹⁸ unto¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ Gentiles.¹⁴⁸⁴

Act 18:7 KJV+ And²⁵³² he departed³³²⁷ thence,¹⁵⁶⁴ and entered²⁰⁶⁴ into¹⁵¹⁹ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ man's house,³⁶¹⁴ named³⁶⁸⁶ Justus,²⁴⁵⁹ one that worshipped⁴⁵⁷⁶ God,²³¹⁶ whose³⁷³⁹ house³⁶¹⁴ joined hard^{2258, 4927} to the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue.⁴⁸⁶⁴

Act 18:8 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ Crispus,²⁹²¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ chief ruler of the synagogue,⁷⁵² believed⁴¹⁰⁰ on the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² with⁴⁸⁶² all³⁶⁵⁰ his⁸⁴⁸ house;³⁶²⁴ and²⁵³² many⁴¹⁸³ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Corinthians²⁸⁸¹ hearing¹⁹¹ believed,⁴¹⁰⁰ and²⁵³² were baptized.⁹⁰⁷

Act 18:9 KJV+ Then¹¹⁶¹ spake²⁰³⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² to Paul³⁹⁷² in¹⁷²² the night³⁵⁷¹ by¹²²³ a vision,³⁷⁰⁵ Be not afraid,^{5399, 3361} but²³⁵ speak,²⁹⁸⁰ and²⁵³² hold not thy peace:^{4623, 3361}

Act 18:10 KJV+ For¹³⁶⁰ I¹⁴⁷³ am¹⁵¹⁰ with³³²⁶ thee,⁴⁶⁷⁵ and²⁵³² no man³⁷⁶² shall set on²⁰⁰⁷ thee⁴⁶⁷¹ to hurt²⁵⁵⁹ thee:⁴⁵⁷¹ for¹³⁶⁰ I³⁴²⁷ have²⁰⁷⁶ much⁴¹⁸³ people²⁹⁹² in¹⁷²² this⁵⁰²⁶ city.⁴¹⁷²

Act 18:11 TLT+ And⁵⁰³⁷ he settled²⁵²³ in Year One,¹⁷⁶³ [of Nero’s reign] while²⁵³² for six¹⁸⁰³ months³³⁷⁶ teaching¹³²¹ among¹⁷²² them⁸⁴⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of God.²³¹⁶

Or, alternatively:

Act 18:11 TLT+ And⁵⁰³⁷ he stayed²⁵²³ Year One¹⁷⁶³ and²⁵³² Month³³⁷⁶ Six¹⁸⁰³ [of Nero’s reign] teaching¹³²¹ among¹⁷²² them⁸⁴⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of God.²³¹⁶

Explanatory Note # 10

Is KJV correct in using “continued there a year and six months?”

Or is the Greek word translated “Year One” (Gr. “ενιαυτον^{1763 N-ASM}”,) based upon Caesar Nero? Claudius died on Zif 21 or Sivan 21, 40 CE [May 21 or else June 20 or 21, 40 CE.] However, there was a co-regency between Claudius such that the 1^st civil year of Nero’s reign began Tishri 1, 39 CE (ending at the beginning of Tishri 1, 40 CE.) Or else, could it possibly reference the reign of Gallio (Acts 18:12? I have found nothing else about Gallio.)

It is interesting to notice that Paul is referencing his 1^st and 2^nd visits to Jerusalem in terms paralleling the years of reign of Claudius (cf. Gal. 1:18 & 2:1.) Thus the three years referenced in Galatians 1:18 runs parallel to Caesar Claudius’ first three years of reign. Likewise the fourteenth year referenced in Galatians 2:1 is also Caesar Claudius’ 14^th year of reign. It is certainly not inconceivable that Luke, the author of Acts, is using a similar construction in Acts 18:2, and 18:11, when giving reference first to Caesar Claudius in Acts 18:2, and then referencing “a year” [KJV,] or perhaps more correctly “Year One [of Nero’s reign]” in Acts 18:11.

Paul spent “the Day of Shabbats” in Philippe (Acts 16:13.) Subsequent to the events related in Acts 16:14-40, Paul spent the next three Sabbaths in Thessalonica. This might have brought Paul to Berea by early Tammuz (40 CE,) which is the 4^th lunar month, at the very earliest. “Six months” from thence brings us to the 9^th or 10^th month and thus also into the next civil year (beginning Tishri 1, 40 CE,) i.e. into the 2^nd civil year of Nero’s reign.

Alternatively, if “the Day of Shabbats” is not a synonym for the Feast of Weeks / Hag Ha-Shavout, then Paul’s statement, “I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem” (Acts 18:21,) may be a reference to the Feast of Tabernacles, i.e. Tishri 15-22, 40 CE, though it may appear that Paul did not arrive in Jerusalem quite in time as intended (cf. Acts 18:22?)

It is unlikely that Paul would have planned to sail in the middle of the winter, i.e. between Heshvan (the 8^th month [Oct/Nov]) and Adar (the 12^th month [Feb/Mar,]) from Corinth to Jerusalem in order to attend Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, considering the fact that sailing was quite unsafe, and therefore quite limited, during the winter months. Cf. Acts 27:12, 1 Cor. 16:6, 2 Tim.4:21, & Tit 3:12. Accordingly, I find it possible that the “many days” (KJV) referenced in Acts 16:18 lasted until the late summer or the fall of 40 CE, but not later than that sailing was still an option before the winter (cf. Acts 17:14.) I notice that Silas and Timothy preferred not to sail and it is possible that they preferred the safer route by traveling on foot (cf. Acts 17:14 and 18:5.) If so, then the “six months” (KJV) referenced in Acts 18:11 may refer to the six first lunar months of Nero’s 2^nd civil year of reign. Accordingly Luke’s words as translated in KJV “a year and six months” could reference an extent of time up to “six months” beyond “Year One” of Nero’s reign, i.e. into Adar, the Twelfth lunar month, 41 CE. However, such a constructions seem unusual and unlikely. Thus I find that…

It seems more likely that the “many days” (Acts 16:17,) the “three Sabbaths” (Acts 17:2,) and Paul’s departure “from Athens… to Corinth” had Paul teaching “the word of God among them” in the Sixth Month, i.e. Elul, of Nero’s 1^st civil year of reign (cf. “a year and six months.) If this scenario is correct then the “feast that cometh in Jerusalem” (Acts 18:21) most likely references the Feast of Tabernacles, Tishri 15-22, 40 CE. Then “after he had spent some time” in Antioch (Acts 18:22-23,) and traveled on foot from Antioch through “the country of Galatia and Phrygia” (600 miles, or 1000 km, as the crow flies) “unto Ephesus” (Acts 18:23 & 19:1) where Paul may have arrived in ‘the third month,’ i.e. in Sivan, 41 CE [May/June 41 CE] (cf. “the space of three months” (Acts 19:8)) “The space of two years” (Acts 19:10) may then be referencing the remaining part of Nero’s 2^nd year of reign. At this point we are a little over one year past the point of Caesar Claudius death, and “Paul purposed in the spirit… to… see Rome.” This intent of Paul ties well into a more friendly policy towards the Jews upon the death of Caesar Claudius. Notice “that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome” (Acts 18:2.)

That there was a change of policy towards the better for the Jews under Nero is also reflected by the fact that Aquila and Priscilla returned to Rome following their exile to Corinth in Greece and Ephesus in Turkey (cf. Acts 18:2; 18:18-19; and Romans 16:3.) Notice that Paul’s epistle to the Romans clearly was written after Paul was released from his visit to Rome as a prisoner (cf. the epilogue at the end of Rom. 16:27 “Written to the Romans from Corinthus…;” Romans 16:3; and Acts 18:2 (KJV.)) Paul could not very well have greeted anyone whom he had not yet met, and it appears as though Paul first met Aquila and Priscilla as recorded in Acts 18:2-3. I find this record being evidence that the epistles to the Romans was written after Paul’s sojourn to Rome. Further evidence is found in Paul’s words “Salute… my fellow prisoners …” (Acts 18:7.)

Acts 19:21-22 tells us that “Paul… stayed in Asia for a season,” i.e. for some time [cf. Strong’s G5550 below] before realizing his intent to “pass through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem… [and to] see Rome.” However, we see from Acts 20:1-4… through the remains of Acts, that he certainly did accomplish his purpose. Thus, I perceive Acts 19:21-41 as very likely covering the extent of time (cf. “for a season,”) from Nero’s 3^rd through his 4^th and into the first part of Nero’s 5^th year.

Re Acts 19:22 the word‘χρονον’ translated “for a season…” (KJV:)

Strong’s G5550:

“χρονον, khron'-os, Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in genitive case, and thus properly distinguished from G2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension an individual opportunity; by implication delay.”

Act 18:12 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when Gallio¹⁰⁵⁸ was the deputy⁴⁴⁵ of Achaia,⁸⁸² the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ made insurrection with one accord against^{2721, 3661} Paul,³⁹⁷² and²⁵³² brought⁷¹ him⁸⁴⁶ to¹⁹⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ judgment seat,⁹⁶⁸

Explanatory Note # 11

In Finegan’s list of Roman Consuls there is a ”Gallo” listed twice: The first time is six years prior to Nero’s first listing as ”Nerone Caesare” and the second time is thirteen years later.

Act 18:13 KJV+ Saying,³⁰⁰⁴ This³⁷⁷⁸ fellow persuadeth³⁷⁴ men⁴⁴⁴ to worship⁴⁵⁷⁶ God²³¹⁶ contrary³⁸⁴⁴ to the³⁵⁸⁸ law.³⁵⁵¹

Act 18:14 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when Paul³⁹⁷² was now about³¹⁹⁵ to open⁴⁵⁵ his mouth,⁴⁷⁵⁰ Gallio¹⁰⁵⁸ said²⁰³⁶ unto⁴³¹⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews,²⁴⁵³ If¹⁴⁸⁷ it^{(3303, 3767)} were²²⁵⁸ a⁽⁵¹⁰⁰⁾ matter of wrong⁹² or²²²⁸ wicked⁴¹⁹⁰ lewdness,⁴⁴⁶⁷ O⁵⁵⁹⁹ ye Jews,²⁴⁵³ reason³⁰⁵⁶ would that I should bear with^{430, 302} you:⁵²¹⁶

Act 18:15 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ if¹⁴⁸⁷ it be²⁰⁷⁶ a question²²¹³ of⁴⁰¹² words³⁰⁵⁶ and²⁵³² names,³⁶⁸⁶ and²⁵³² of⁽²⁵⁹⁶⁾ your⁵²⁰⁹ law,³⁵⁵¹ look³⁷⁰⁰ ye⁸⁴⁶ to it; for¹⁰⁶³ I¹⁴⁷³ will¹⁰¹⁴ be¹⁵¹¹ no³⁷⁵⁶ judge²⁹²³ of such⁵¹³⁰ matters.

Act 18:16 KJV+ And²⁵³² he drove⁵⁵⁶ them⁸⁴⁶ from⁵⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ judgment seat.⁹⁶⁸

Act 18:17 KJV+ Then¹¹⁶¹ all³⁹⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ Greeks¹⁶⁷² took¹⁹⁴⁹ Sosthenes,⁴⁹⁸⁸ the³⁵⁸⁸ chief ruler of the synagogue,⁷⁵² and beat⁵¹⁸⁰ him before¹⁷¹⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ judgment seat.⁹⁶⁸ And²⁵³² Gallio¹⁰⁵⁸ cared for³¹⁹⁹ none³⁷⁶² of those things.⁵¹³⁰

Act 18:18 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ Paul³⁹⁷² after this tarried⁴³⁵⁷ there yet²⁰⁸⁹ a good while,^{2425, 2250} and then took his leave⁶⁵⁷ of the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren,⁸⁰ and sailed thence¹⁶⁰² into¹⁵¹⁹ Syria,⁴⁹⁴⁷ and²⁵³² with⁴⁸⁶² him⁸⁴⁶ Priscilla⁴²⁵² and²⁵³² Aquila;²⁰⁷ having shorn²⁷⁵¹ his head²⁷⁷⁶ in¹⁷²² Cenchrea:²⁷⁴⁷ for¹⁰⁶³ he had²¹⁹² a vow.²¹⁷¹

Act 18:19 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ he came²⁶⁵⁸ to¹⁵¹⁹ Ephesus,²¹⁸¹ and left them^{2548, 2641} there:⁸⁴⁷ but¹¹⁶¹ he⁸⁴⁸ himself entered¹⁵²⁵ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue,⁴⁸⁶⁴ and reasoned¹²⁵⁶ with the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews.²⁴⁵³

Act 18:20 KJV+ When¹¹⁶¹ they⁸⁴⁶ desired²⁰⁶⁵ him to tarry³³⁰⁶ longer⁴¹¹⁹ time⁵⁵⁵⁰ with³⁸⁴⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ he consented¹⁹⁶² not;³⁷⁵⁶

Act 18:21 KJV+ But²³⁵ bade them farewell,^{657, 846} saying,²⁰³⁶ I³¹⁶⁵ must¹¹⁶³ by all means³⁸⁴³ keep⁴¹⁶⁰ this feast¹⁸⁵⁹ that cometh²⁰⁶⁴ in¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem:²⁴¹⁴ but¹¹⁶¹ I will return³⁴⁴ again³⁸²⁵ unto⁴³¹⁴ you,⁵²⁰⁹ if God²³¹⁶ will.²³⁰⁹ And²⁵³² he sailed³²¹ from⁵⁷⁵ Ephesus.²¹⁸¹

Explanatory Note # 12

Re verses 18-21: According to the scenario outlined in Explanatory Note # 11 above the “feast that cometh in Jerusalem” (Acts 18:21) may very well reference the Feast of Tabernacles, Tishri 15-22, 40 CE, and according to the same scenario the sailing trip referenced in verses 18-21 took place very shortly before said feast.

Re verse 17: Notice that Sosthenes is also named in 1 Cor. 1:1 as one of the brethren while also present with Paul in Macedonia at that time, i.e. prior to the Feast of Unleavened bread in 43 CE, Nero’s 4^th year of reign.

Act 18:22 KJV+ And²⁵³² when he had landed²⁷¹⁸ at¹⁵¹⁹ Caesarea,²⁵⁴² and gone up,³⁰⁵ and²⁵³² saluted⁷⁸² the³⁵⁸⁸ church,¹⁵⁷⁷ he went down²⁵⁹⁷ to¹⁵¹⁹ Antioch.⁴⁹⁰

Explanatory Note # 13

Notice the extremely brief account of Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem: “and gone up,³⁰⁵ and²⁵³² saluted⁷⁸² the³⁵⁸⁸ church¹⁵⁷⁷”

Act 18:23 KJV+ And²⁵³² after he had spent⁴¹⁶⁰ some⁵¹⁰⁰ time⁵⁵⁵⁰ there, he departed,¹⁸³¹ and went over¹³³⁰ all the³⁵⁸⁸ country⁵⁵⁶¹ of Galatia¹⁰⁵⁴ and²⁵³² Phrygia⁵⁴³⁵ in order,²⁵¹⁷ strengthening¹⁹⁹¹ all³⁹⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ disciples.³¹⁰¹

Act 18:24 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ Jew²⁴⁵³ named³⁶⁸⁶ Apollos,⁶²⁵ born¹⁰⁸⁵ at Alexandria,²²¹ an eloquent³⁰⁵² man,⁴³⁵ and⁽⁵⁶⁰⁷⁾ mighty¹⁴¹⁵ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ Scriptures,¹¹²⁴ came²⁶⁵⁸ to¹⁵¹⁹ Ephesus.²¹⁸¹

Explanatory Note # 14

The distance, as the crow flies, from Antioch to Ephesus is roughly 600 miles or 1000 kilometers! But Paul was obviously in excellent physical shape, a real marathon runner! Cf. Explanatory Note # 23 below for a timed distance example of this fact.

Act 18:25 KJV+ This man³⁷⁷⁸ was²²⁵⁸ instructed²⁷²⁷ in the³⁵⁸⁸ way³⁵⁹⁸ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord;²⁹⁶² and²⁵³² being fervent²²⁰⁴ in the³⁵⁸⁸ spirit,⁴¹⁵¹ he spake²⁹⁸⁰ and²⁵³² taught¹³²¹ diligently¹⁹⁹ the things³⁵⁸⁸ of⁴⁰¹² the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord,²⁹⁶² knowing¹⁹⁸⁷ only³⁴⁴⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ baptism⁹⁰⁸ of John.²⁴⁹¹

Act 18:26 KJV+ And⁵⁰³⁷ he³⁷⁷⁸ began⁷⁵⁶ to speak boldly³⁹⁵⁵ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue:^{4864 (1161)} whom⁸⁴⁶ when Aquila²⁰⁷ and²⁵³² Priscilla⁴²⁵² had heard,¹⁹¹ they took him unto^{4355, 846} them, and²⁵³² expounded¹⁶²⁰ unto him⁸⁴⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ way³⁵⁹⁸ of God²³¹⁶ more perfectly.¹⁹⁷

Act 18:27 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when he⁸⁴⁶ was disposed¹⁰¹⁴ to pass¹³³⁰ into¹⁵¹⁹ Achaia,⁸⁸² the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ wrote,¹¹²⁵ exhorting⁴³⁸⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ disciples³¹⁰¹ to receive⁵⁸⁸ him:⁸⁴⁶ who,³⁷³⁹ when he was come,³⁸⁵⁴ helped⁴⁸²⁰ them much⁴¹⁸³ which had believed⁴¹⁰⁰ through¹²²³ grace:⁵⁴⁸⁵

Act 18:28 KJV+ For¹⁰⁶³ he mightily²¹⁵⁹ convinced¹²⁴⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews,²⁴⁵³ and that publicly,¹²¹⁹ showing¹⁹²⁵ by¹²²³ the³⁵⁸⁸ Scriptures¹¹²⁴ that Jesus²⁴²⁴ was¹⁵¹¹ Christ.⁵⁵⁴⁷

Act 19:1 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ it came to pass,¹⁰⁹⁶ that, while Apollos⁶²⁵ was¹⁵¹¹ at¹⁷²² Corinth,²⁸⁸² Paul³⁹⁷² having passed through¹³³⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ upper⁵¹⁰ coasts³³¹³ came²⁰⁶⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Ephesus:²¹⁸¹ and²⁵³² finding²¹⁴⁷ certain⁵¹⁰⁰ disciples,³¹⁰¹

Explanatory Note # 15

Notice that this is probably only the second time Paul is recorded as visiting Ephesus. The first occasion was very brief indeed. Cf. Acts 18:19-21 and Explanatory Note # 12 above!

Act 19:2 KJV+ He said²⁰³⁶ unto⁴³¹⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ Have⁽¹⁴⁸⁷⁾ ye received²⁹⁸³ the Holy⁴⁰ Ghost⁴¹⁵¹ since ye believed?⁴¹⁰⁰ And¹¹⁶¹ they³⁵⁸⁸ said²⁰³⁶ unto⁴³¹⁴ him,⁸⁴⁶ We have not so much as^{235, 3761} heard¹⁹¹ whether¹⁴⁸⁷ there be²⁰⁷⁶ any Holy⁴⁰ Ghost.⁴¹⁵¹

Act 19:3 KJV+ And⁵⁰³⁷ he said²⁰³⁶ unto⁴³¹⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ Unto¹⁵¹⁹ what⁵¹⁰¹ then³⁷⁶⁷ were ye baptized?⁹⁰⁷ And¹¹⁶¹ they³⁵⁸⁸ said,²⁰³⁶ Unto¹⁵¹⁹ John's²⁴⁹¹ baptism.⁹⁰⁸

Act 19:4 KJV+ Then¹¹⁶¹ said²⁰³⁶ Paul,³⁹⁷² John²⁴⁹¹ verily³³⁰³ baptized⁹⁰⁷ with the baptism⁹⁰⁸ of repentance,³³⁴¹ saying³⁰⁰⁴ unto the³⁵⁸⁸ people,²⁹⁹² that²⁴⁴³ they should believe⁴¹⁰⁰ on¹⁵¹⁹ him which should come²⁰⁶⁴ after³³²⁶ him,⁸⁴⁶ that is,⁵¹²³ on¹⁵¹⁹ Christ⁵⁵⁴⁷ Jesus.²⁴²⁴

Act 19:5 KJV+ When¹¹⁶¹ they heard¹⁹¹ this, they were baptized⁹⁰⁷ in¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ name³⁶⁸⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus.²⁴²⁴

Act 19:6 KJV+ And²⁵³² when Paul³⁹⁷² had laid²⁰⁰⁷ his hands⁵⁴⁹⁵ upon them,⁸⁴⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ Holy⁴⁰ Ghost⁴¹⁵¹ came²⁰⁶⁴ on¹⁹⁰⁹ them;⁸⁴⁶ and⁵⁰³⁷ they spake²⁹⁸⁰ with tongues,¹¹⁰⁰ and²⁵³² prophesied.⁴³⁹⁵

Act 19:7 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ all³⁹⁵⁶ the men⁴³⁵ were²²⁵⁸ about⁵⁶¹⁶ twelve.¹¹⁷⁷

Act 19:8 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ he went¹⁵²⁵ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue,⁴⁸⁶⁴ and spake boldly³⁹⁵⁵ for the space of¹⁹⁰⁹ three⁵¹⁴⁰ months,³³⁷⁶ disputing¹²⁵⁶ and²⁵³² persuading³⁹⁸² the things³⁵⁸⁸ concerning⁴⁰¹² the³⁵⁸⁸ kingdom⁹³² of God.²³¹⁶

Or, alternatively, though this is uncertain:

Act 19:8 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ he went¹⁵²⁵ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ synagogue,⁴⁸⁶⁴ and spake boldly³⁹⁵⁵ over¹⁹⁰⁹ [the first] three⁵¹⁴⁰ months,³³⁷⁶ [of the sacred year, i.e. Month One, Month Two and Month Three, 41 CE] disputing¹²⁵⁶ and²⁵³² persuading³⁹⁸² the things³⁵⁸⁸ concerning⁴⁰¹² the³⁵⁸⁸ kingdom⁹³² of God.²³¹⁶

Explanatory Note # 16

If Paul’s 3rd visit to Jerusalem (Acts 18:22) after his conversion occurred at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, Tishri 15-22, 40 CE, then the “three months” above referenced (Acts 19:8) may be accurately reflected in the KJV, or else could be a reference to the Third [lunar] Month, i.e. Sivan 41 CE [May/Jun,] or even to the first three months beginning with Aviv 1, 41 CE, all within Nero’s 2^nd year of reign. Cf. Explanatory Note # 10 above for a brief outline of all the events between Paul’s 2^nd (Acts 15:1-30) and 4^th (Acts 21:15-23:33) visits to Jerusalem!

Traveling by foot from Antioch to Ephesus is quite a feat in and of itself. It is a distance of about 600 miles as the crow flies! But Paul was clearly in most excellent physical shape, and the record (Acts 20:13) proves that at this time Paul was traveling quite speedily for long distances by foot. He was a real marathon runner! He could have covered that distance in a few weeks! Apparently he traveled this distance during the winter – the summer would likely have been too hot for that much of an exercise. Cf. Explanatory Note # 25 below!

Act 19:9 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ when⁵⁶¹³ divers⁵¹⁰⁰ were hardened,⁴⁶⁴⁵ and²⁵³² believed not,⁵⁴⁴ but spake evil²⁵⁵¹ of that way³⁵⁹⁸ before¹⁷⁹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ multitude,⁴¹²⁸ he departed⁸⁶⁸ from⁵⁷⁵ them,⁸⁴⁶ and separated⁸⁷³ the³⁵⁸⁸ disciples,³¹⁰¹ disputing¹²⁵⁶ daily^{2596, 2250} in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ school⁴⁹⁸¹ of one⁵¹⁰⁰ Tyrannus.⁵¹⁸¹

Act 19:10 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ thus⁵¹²⁴ he began¹⁰⁹⁶ upon¹⁹⁰⁹ two¹⁴¹⁷ years²⁰⁹⁴ of a movement with consequences⁵⁶²⁰ such that all³⁹⁵⁶ they which dwelt²⁷³⁰ in Asia⁷⁷³ heard¹⁹¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus,²⁴²⁴ both⁵⁰³⁷ Jews²⁴⁵³ and²⁵³² Greeks.¹⁶⁷²

Or, alternatively:

Act 19:10 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ thus⁵¹²⁴ he began¹⁰⁹⁶ upon¹⁹⁰⁹ [the completion of the first] two¹⁴¹⁷ years²⁰⁹⁴ [of Nero’s reign] a work resulting⁵⁶²⁰ in all³⁹⁵⁶ of them which dwelt²⁷³⁰ in Asia⁷⁷³ hearing¹⁹¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus,²⁴²⁴ both⁵⁰³⁷ Jews²⁴⁵³ and²⁵³² Greeks.¹⁶⁷²

Explanatory Note # 17

It was common practice among the Jews – Luke the author of Acts was a Jew, was he not? – in those days, when dating anything at all, to give reference to the Emperor, to the King, or to the procurator of the region. Translating the words “two years” while giving clear reference to the current regent at the time seems quite appropriate. Accordingly, I favor the last of the two translations of Acts 19:10 above. Even more so while considering in this context Acts 18:11 re “a year” or “Year One,” and Acts 20:31 “the space of three years” or “Year Three,” all of which apparently fits neatly into Nero’s 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd years, respectively.

[Nonetheless, before studying these particulars very closely, I could see no basis for being absolutely certain about this interpretation, especially in view of the fact that I had found no corresponding application of the words translated “after two years” in Acts 24:27, and of the words translated “two whole years” in Acts 28:30. Upon close analysis I find, however, that in both of the latter two Acts passages an entirely different Greek word is used in Textus Receptus than that which is used in Acts 19:10. Furthermore, I find that the latter Greek word “διετια¹³³³” must be redefined to agree with all known facts, and that, as a consequence, my initial hesitancy in ascertaining the above re Nero’s 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd years of reign is unwarranted!]

Cf. Explanatory Note # 10, Explanatory Note # 43, and Explanatory Note # 69!

Act 19:11 KJV+ And⁵⁰³⁷ God²³¹⁶ wrought⁴¹⁶⁰ special^{3756, 5177} miracles¹⁴¹¹ by¹²²³ the³⁵⁸⁸ hands⁵⁴⁹⁵ of Paul:³⁹⁷²

Act 19:12 KJV+ So that^{5620 (2532)} from⁵⁷⁵ his⁸⁴⁶ body⁵⁵⁵⁹ were brought²⁰¹⁸ unto¹⁹⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ sick⁷⁷⁰ handkerchiefs⁴⁶⁷⁶ or²²²⁸ aprons,⁴⁶¹² and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ diseases³⁵⁵⁴ departed⁵²⁵ from⁵⁷⁵ them,⁸⁴⁶ and⁵⁰³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ evil⁴¹⁹⁰ spirits⁴¹⁵¹ went¹⁸³¹ out of⁵⁷⁵ them.⁸⁴⁶

Act 19:13 KJV+ Then¹¹⁶¹ certain⁵¹⁰⁰ of⁵⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ vagabond⁴⁰²² Jews,²⁴⁵³ exorcists,¹⁸⁴⁵ took upon²⁰²¹ them to call³⁶⁸⁷ over¹⁹⁰⁹ them which had²¹⁹² evil⁴¹⁹⁰ spirits⁴¹⁵¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ name³⁶⁸⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus,²⁴²⁴ saying,³⁰⁰⁴ We adjure³⁷²⁶ you⁵²⁰⁹ by Jesus²⁴²⁴ whom³⁷³⁹ Paul³⁹⁷² preacheth.²⁷⁸⁴

Act 19:14 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ there were²²⁵⁸ seven²⁰³³ sons⁵²⁰⁷ of one Sceva,⁴⁶³⁰ a Jew,²⁴⁵³ and chief of the priests,⁷⁴⁹ which did⁴¹⁶⁰ so.⁵¹²⁴

Act 19:15 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ evil⁴¹⁹⁰ spirit⁴¹⁵¹ answered⁶¹¹ and said,²⁰³⁶ Jesus²⁴²⁴ I know,¹⁰⁹⁷ and²⁵³² Paul³⁹⁷² I know;¹⁹⁸⁷ but¹¹⁶¹ who⁵¹⁰¹ are²⁰⁷⁵ ye?⁵²¹⁰

Act 19:16 KJV+ And²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ man⁴⁴⁴ in¹⁷²² whom³⁷³⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ evil⁴¹⁹⁰ spirit⁴¹⁵¹ was²²⁵⁸ leaped²¹⁷⁷ on¹⁹⁰⁹ them,⁸⁴⁶ and²⁵³² overcame²⁶³⁴ them,⁸⁴⁶ and prevailed²⁴⁸⁰ against²⁵⁹⁶ them,⁸⁴⁶ so that⁵⁶²⁰ they fled¹⁶²⁸ out of¹⁵³⁷ that¹⁵⁶⁵ house³⁶²⁴ naked¹¹³¹ and²⁵³² wounded.⁵¹³⁵

Act 19:17 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ this⁵¹²⁴ was¹⁰⁹⁶ known¹¹¹⁰ to all³⁹⁵⁶ the Jews²⁴⁵³ and²⁵³² Greeks¹⁶⁷² also⁵⁰³⁷ dwelling²⁷³⁰ at Ephesus;²¹⁸¹ and²⁵³² fear⁵⁴⁰¹ fell¹⁹⁶⁸ on¹⁹⁰⁹ them⁸⁴⁶ all,³⁹⁵⁶ and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ name³⁶⁸⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus²⁴²⁴ was magnified.³¹⁷⁰

Act 19:18 KJV+ And⁵⁰³⁷ many⁴¹⁸³ that believed⁴¹⁰⁰ came,²⁰⁶⁴ and confessed,¹⁸⁴³ and²⁵³² showed³¹² their⁸⁴⁸ deeds.⁴²³⁴

Act 19:19 KJV+ ⁽¹¹⁶¹⁾ Many²⁴²⁵ of them also which used⁴²³⁸ curious arts⁴⁰²¹ brought their books together,^{4851, 976} and burned²⁶¹⁸ them before¹⁷⁹⁹ all³⁹⁵⁶ men: and²⁵³² they counted⁴⁸⁶⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ price⁵⁰⁹² of them,⁸⁴⁶ and²⁵³² found²¹⁴⁷ it fifty thousand^{4002, 3461} pieces of silver.⁶⁹⁴

Act 19:20 KJV+ So³⁷⁷⁹ mightily^{2596, 2904} grew⁸³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of God²⁹⁶² and²⁵³² prevailed.²⁴⁸⁰

Act 19:21 KJV+ ⁽¹¹⁶¹⁾ After⁵⁶¹³ these things⁵⁰²³ were ended,⁴¹³⁷ Paul³⁹⁷² purposed⁵⁰⁸⁷ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ spirit,⁴¹⁵¹ when he had passed through¹³³⁰ Macedonia³¹⁰⁹ and²⁵³² Achaia,⁸⁸² to go⁴¹⁹⁸ to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem,²⁴¹⁹ saying,²⁰³⁶ After I³¹⁶⁵ have been¹⁰⁹⁶ there,¹⁵⁶³ I³¹⁶⁵ must¹¹⁶³ also²⁵³² see¹⁴⁹² Rome.⁴⁵¹⁶

Act 19:22 KJV+ So¹¹⁶¹ he sent⁶⁴⁹ into¹⁵¹⁹ Macedonia³¹⁰⁹ two¹⁴¹⁷ of them that ministered¹²⁴⁷ unto him,⁸⁴⁶ Timothy⁵⁰⁹⁵ and²⁵³² Erastus;²⁰³⁷ but he⁸⁴⁶ himself stayed¹⁹⁰⁷ in¹⁵¹⁹ Asia⁷⁷³ for a season.⁵⁵⁵⁰

Explanatory Note # 18

Cf. Explanatory Note # 10 above!

Act 19:23 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ the same^{2596, 1565} time²⁵⁴⁰ there arose¹⁰⁹⁶ no³⁷⁵⁶ small³⁶⁴¹ stir⁵⁰¹⁷ about⁴⁰¹² that way.³⁵⁹⁸

Act 19:24 KJV+ For¹⁰⁶³ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ man named³⁶⁸⁶ Demetrius,¹²¹⁶ a silversmith,⁶⁹⁵ which made⁴¹⁶⁰ silver⁶⁹³ shrines³⁴⁸⁵ for Diana,⁷³⁵ brought³⁹³⁰ no³⁷⁵⁶ small³⁶⁴¹ gain²⁰³⁹ unto the³⁵⁸⁸ craftsmen;⁵⁰⁷⁹

Act 19:25 KJV+ Whom³⁷³⁹ he called together⁴⁸⁶⁷ with²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ workmen²⁰⁴⁰ of⁴⁰¹² like occupation,⁵¹⁰⁸ and said,²⁰³⁶ Sirs,⁴³⁵ ye know¹⁹⁸⁷ that³⁷⁵⁴ by¹⁵³⁷ this⁵⁰²⁶ craft²⁰³⁹ we have²⁰⁷⁶ our²²⁵⁷ wealth.²¹⁴²

Act 19:26 KJV+ Moreover²⁵³² ye see²³³⁴ and²⁵³² hear,¹⁹¹ that³⁷⁵⁴ not³⁷⁵⁶ alone³⁴⁴⁰ at Ephesus,²¹⁸¹ but²³⁵ almost⁴⁹⁷⁵ throughout all³⁹⁵⁶ Asia,⁷⁷³ this³⁷⁷⁸ Paul³⁹⁷² hath persuaded³⁹⁸² and turned away³¹⁷⁹ much²⁴²⁵ people,³⁷⁹³ saying³⁰⁰⁴ that³⁷⁵⁴ they be¹⁵²⁶ no³⁷⁵⁶ gods,²³¹⁶ which³⁵⁸⁸ are made¹⁰⁹⁶ with¹²²³ hands:⁵⁴⁹⁵

Act 19:27 KJV+ So that⁽¹¹⁶¹⁾ not³⁷⁵⁶ only³⁴⁴⁰ this⁵¹²⁴ our²²⁵⁴ craft³³¹³ is in danger²⁷⁹³ to be set at naught;^{2064, 1519, 557} but²³⁵ also²⁵³² that the³⁵⁸⁸ temple²⁴¹¹ of the³⁵⁸⁸ great³¹⁷³ goddess²²⁹⁹ Diana⁷³⁵ should be despised,^{1519, 3762, 3049} and¹¹⁶¹ her⁸⁴⁸ magnificence³¹⁶⁸ should³¹⁹⁵ be⁽²⁵³²⁾ destroyed,²⁵⁰⁷ whom³⁷³⁹ all³⁶⁵⁰ Asia⁷⁷³ and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ world³⁶²⁵ worshippeth.⁴⁵⁷⁶

Act 19:28 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when they heard¹⁹¹ these sayings, they were¹⁰⁹⁶ full⁴¹³⁴ of wrath,²³⁷² and²⁵³² cried out,²⁸⁹⁶ saying,³⁰⁰⁴ Great³¹⁷³ is Diana⁷³⁵ of the Ephesians.²¹⁸⁰

Act 19:29 KJV+ And²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ whole³⁶⁵⁰ city⁴¹⁷² was filled⁴¹³⁰ with confusion:⁴⁷⁹⁹ and⁵⁰³⁷ having caught⁴⁸⁸⁴ Gaius¹⁰⁵⁰ and²⁵³² Aristarchus,⁷⁰⁸ men of Macedonia,³¹¹⁰ Paul's³⁹⁷² companions in travel,⁴⁸⁹⁸ they rushed³⁷²⁹ with one accord³⁶⁶¹ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ theater.²³⁰²

Act 19:30 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when Paul³⁹⁷² would¹⁰¹⁴ have entered in¹⁵²⁵ unto¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ people,¹²¹⁸ the³⁵⁸⁸ disciples³¹⁰¹ suffered¹⁴³⁹ him⁸⁴⁶ not.³⁷⁵⁶

Act 19:31 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ certain⁵¹⁰⁰ of⁽²⁵³²⁾ the³⁵⁸⁸ chief of Asia,⁷⁷⁵ which were⁵⁶⁰⁷ his⁸⁴⁶ friends,⁵³⁸⁴ sent³⁹⁹² unto⁴³¹⁴ him,⁸⁴⁶ desiring³⁸⁷⁰ him that he would not³³⁶¹ adventure¹³²⁵ himself¹⁴³⁸ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ theater.²³⁰²

Act 19:32 KJV+ Some therefore cried one thing,^{243, 3303, 3767, 2896} and some²⁴³ another:⁵¹⁰⁰ for¹⁰⁶³ the³⁵⁸⁸ assembly¹⁵⁷⁷ was²²⁵⁸ confused;⁴⁷⁹⁷ and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ more part⁴¹¹⁹ knew¹⁴⁹² not³⁷⁵⁶ wherefore^{5101, 1752} they were come together.⁴⁹⁰⁵

Act 19:33 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ they drew⁴²⁶⁴ Alexander²²³ out of¹⁵³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ multitude,³⁷⁹³ the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ putting him forward.^{4261, 846} And¹¹⁶¹ Alexander²²³ beckoned²⁶⁷⁸ with the³⁵⁸⁸ hand,⁵⁴⁹⁵ and would²³⁰⁹ have made his defense⁶²⁶ unto the³⁵⁸⁸ people.¹²¹⁸

Act 19:34 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ when they knew¹⁹²¹ that³⁷⁵⁴ he was²⁰⁷⁶ a Jew,²⁴⁵³ all with one voice^{1096, 5456, 3391, 1537, 3956} about the space of^{5613, 1909} two¹⁴¹⁷ hours⁵⁶¹⁰ cried out,²⁸⁹⁶ Great³¹⁷³ is Diana⁷³⁵ of the Ephesians.²¹⁸⁰

Act 19:35 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when the³⁵⁸⁸ town clerk¹¹²² had appeased²⁶⁸⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ people,³⁷⁹³ he said,⁵³⁴⁶ Ye men⁴³⁵ of Ephesus,^{2180, (1063)} what⁵¹⁰¹ man⁴⁴⁴ is²⁰⁷⁶ there that³⁷³⁹ knoweth¹⁰⁹⁷ not³⁷⁵⁶ how that the³⁵⁸⁸ city⁴¹⁷² of the Ephesians²¹⁸⁰ is⁵⁶⁰⁷ a worshiper³⁵¹¹ of the³⁵⁸⁸ great³¹⁷³ goddess²²⁹⁹ Diana,⁷³⁵ and²⁵³² of the image which fell down from Jupiter?¹³⁵⁶

Act 19:36 KJV+ Seeing then³⁷⁶⁷ that these things⁵¹³⁰ cannot be spoken against,^{5607, 368} ye^{5209, (2076)} ought¹¹⁶³ to be⁵²²⁵ quiet,²⁶⁸⁷ and²⁵³² to do⁴²³⁸ nothing³³⁶⁷ rashly.⁴³¹²

Act 19:37 KJV+ For¹⁰⁶³ ye have brought⁷¹ hither these⁵¹²⁸ men,⁴³⁵ which are neither³⁷⁷⁷ robbers of churches,²⁴¹⁷ nor³⁷⁷⁷ yet blasphemers⁹⁸⁷ of your⁵²¹⁶ goddess.²²⁹⁹

Act 19:38 KJV+ Wherefore³⁷⁶⁷ if^{1487 (3303)} Demetrius,¹²¹⁶ and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ craftsmen⁵⁰⁷⁹ which are with⁴⁸⁶² him,⁸⁴⁶ have²¹⁹² a matter³⁰⁵⁶ against⁴³¹⁴ any man,⁵¹⁰⁰ the law is open,^{60, 71} and²⁵³² there are¹⁵²⁶ deputies:⁴⁴⁶ let them implead¹⁴⁵⁸ one another.²⁴⁰

Act 19:39 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ if¹⁴⁸⁷ ye inquire¹⁹³⁴ any thing⁵¹⁰⁰ concerning⁴⁰¹² other matters,²⁰⁸⁷ it shall be determined¹⁹⁵⁶ in¹⁷²² a lawful¹⁷⁷² assembly.¹⁵⁷⁷

Act 19:40 KJV+ For¹⁰⁶³ we are in danger²⁷⁹³ to⁽²⁵³²⁾ be called in question¹⁴⁵⁸ for⁴⁰¹² this day's⁴⁵⁹⁴ uproar,⁴⁷¹⁴ there being⁵²²⁵ no³³⁶⁷ cause¹⁵⁸ whereby^{4012, 3739} we may¹⁴¹⁰ give⁵⁹¹ an account³⁰⁵⁶ of this⁵⁰²⁶ concourse.⁴⁹⁶³

Act 19:41 KJV+ And²⁵³² when he had thus⁵⁰²³ spoken,²⁰³⁶ he dismissed⁶³⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ assembly.¹⁵⁷⁷

Acts 20:1 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ after the³⁵⁸⁸ uproar²³⁵¹ was ceased,³⁹⁷³ Paul³⁹⁷² called unto⁴³⁴¹ him the³⁵⁸⁸ disciples,³¹⁰¹ and²⁵³² embraced⁷⁸² them, and departed¹⁸³¹ for to go⁴¹⁹⁸ into¹⁵¹⁹ Macedonia.³¹⁰⁹

Acts 20:2 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when he had gone over¹³³⁰ those¹⁵⁶⁵ parts,³³¹³ and²⁵³² had given³⁸⁷⁰ them⁸⁴⁶ much⁴¹⁸³ exhortation,³⁰⁵⁶ he came²⁰⁶⁴ into¹⁵¹⁹ Greece,¹⁶⁷¹

Acts 20:3 TLT+ He made⁴¹⁶⁰ both⁵⁰³⁷ [Macedonia and Greece are probably here referenced by the Greek word “τε^{5037 PRT},” “both.”] in three⁵¹⁴⁰ months.³³⁷⁶ [Cf. Explanatory Note # 19 below!] And when⁽⁵²⁵⁹⁾ the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ laid wait for^{1917, 1096} him,⁸⁴⁶ as he was about³¹⁹⁵ to sail³²¹ into¹⁵¹⁹ Syria,⁴⁹⁴⁷ he purposed^{1096, 1106} to return⁵²⁹⁰ through¹²²³ Macedonia.³¹⁰⁹

Explanatory Note # 19 :

The words “three months” are in accusative, plural format, indicating “extent of time,” (cf. The Analytical Greek Lexicon, Zondervan Publishing House (1970,) and Jay, Eric G., New Testament Greek, p. 141.) Said “three months” most likely indicating the last three lunar months prior to Aviv 1, 44 CE [Jan 21, 44 through April 18, 44, the last two months being named Adar I and Adar II – as may be seen from this link.)]

Acts 20:4 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ there accompanied⁴⁹⁰² him⁸⁴⁶ into⁸⁹¹ Asia⁷⁷³ Sopater⁴⁹⁸⁶ of Berea;⁹⁶¹ and¹¹⁶¹ of the Thessalonians,²³³¹ Aristarchus⁷⁰⁸ and²⁵³² Secundus;⁴⁵⁸⁰ and²⁵³² Gaius¹⁰⁵⁰ of Derbe,¹¹⁹⁰ and²⁵³² Timothy;⁵⁰⁹⁵ and¹¹⁶¹ of Asia,⁷⁷⁴ Tychicus⁵¹⁹⁰ and²⁵³² Trophimus.⁵¹⁶¹

Explanatory Note # 20 :

Notice that the names of Paul’s travel companions are useful for distinguishing between e.g. Paul’s several visits to Jerusalem as referenced in e.g. Gal. 1:17-2:1, i.e. Paul’s 0^th, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th visits to Jerusalem following his conversion on the road to Damascus.

Paul’s visits to Jerusalem (companions named in verses in bold italic font:)

#0: Acts 9:26-30 (notice especially v. 27;)

#1: Acts 11:27-30 & 12:25;

#2: Acts 15:1-30 (in particular v.2 and v. 36-40;)

#3: Acts 18:18, 21-22; and

#4: Acts 20:4, 16 – 23:32.

Acts 20:5 KJV+ These³⁷⁷⁸ going before⁴²⁸¹ tarried³³⁰⁶ for us²²⁴⁸ at¹⁷²² Troas.⁵¹⁷⁴

Acts 20:6 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ we²²⁴⁹ sailed away¹⁶⁰² from⁵⁷⁵ Philippi⁵³⁷⁵ after³³²⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ First day²²⁵⁰ of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,¹⁰⁶ [Cf. Explanatory Note # 21 below!] and²⁵³² came²⁰⁶⁴ unto⁴³¹⁴ them⁸⁴⁶ to¹⁵¹⁹ Troas⁵¹⁷⁴ in⁸⁹¹ five⁴⁰⁰² days;²²⁵⁰ where³⁷⁵⁷ we abode¹³⁰⁴ Day²²⁵⁰ Seven²⁰³³ [of the week, Aviv 21, 44 CE [Saturday May 9, 44 CE,] cf. the Textus Receptus basis of this translation! Cf. also below!]

Explanatory Note # 21 :

Regarding the word “day,” as translated above in the phrase “the First day,” vs. “days” as translated in KJV: The Greek word used here (Acts 20:6) is “ημερας^{2250 N-APF}” and is written in the accusative plural format, indicating “extent of time” (cf. Jay, Eric G., New Testament Greek, p. 141.) However, as with the Hebrew word “שׁנתים,” which Hebrew word is commonly mistranslated "two years," this Greek word is also used - when standing alone and not attached to another numerical word - to signify a time period greater than one day, but, most often, not more than two days.

Accordingly, the words translated in KJV “after the days of unleavened bread” references, most likely, only the First Day, and part of the Second Day, of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and certainly not all “the days of unleavened bread.”

Explanatory Note # 22:

Notice how loaded this verse and the next are with constraining time references! The First Day and part of the Second Day of the seven day long Feast of Unleavened Bread is spent in Philippi. Then there is a sailing tour lasting five full days, more or less, or else said sailing tour was concluded at the end of the Fifth Day of the week. Finally the last and Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is spent sharing lessons regarding unleavened bread with the brethren in Troas, while also eating the same symbolic food, i.e. eating and breaking unleavened bread with the brethren (cf. Acts 20:7 below.) And, as if this wasn’t enough, the author of Acts identifies for us this last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread as being also the Seventh Day of the week, i.e. the weekly Shabbat! These data are very helpful indeed for limiting the years within which this event could possibly have occurred!

On the other hand it may well be argued that the sailing trip from Philippi to Troas ended at the end, not of a five day long sailing journey, but at the end of the first five days of the week, i.e. at the beginning of the Sixth Day of the week Aviv 20, 44 CE [Thursday evening as the sun was setting May 7, 44 CE.] Considering especially the distances and directions of travel during the following week as recorded in Acts 20:13 through Acts 21:3 this latter scenario may seem even a little more likely than the scenario above while considering also that the distance, as the crow flies, from Phillippi to Troas is a mere 140 miles (210 km,) or about the average distance sailed each day during the very next week, cf. Explanatory Note # 25 below.

If indeed said five days are in reference to the Fifth Day of the week, then one must also consider whether or not the Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread might not have been concurrent with the Seventh Day of the week as otherwise concluded within this study of Acts. Considering Luke’s emphatic statement “to write unto thee in order,” and as demonstrated also by his sequential records, Luke and Acts, I find that it would be inconsistent to conclude that the Sixth Day of the week was concurrent with the Seventh Day of Unleavened bread, i.e. given the order provided between the words “seven days” (Acts 20:6 KJV) and “the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7 KJV,) the corresponding sequential order being also present in Textus Receptus. As for placing the Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread on a day subsequent to the Seventh Day of the week, I find that the exact daily itinerary provided by Luke re Paul’s and Luke’s sojourn by ship arriving in Tyre in time for the subsequent Shabbat precludes the possibility that the Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread could have fallen out on any day beyond said Seventh Day of the week.

This discussion re what day(s) exactly the “five days” references may seem, perhaps, like arguing a moot point since clearly Paul spent the First Shabbat of the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Phillippi and the Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Troas, but I believe it is important to consider all the alternatives, and the implications these may have upon the meaning of words: Thus, this latter scenario, if true, gives me yet another example of how, in New Testament Greek, numbered days almost exclusively is giving reference to the days of the week, while the former scenario, if true, would give me support for the contention that stand alone usage of the plural form of “days,” i.e. without a number or other modifiers, does not reference a duration of time in excess of two days.

Acts 20:7 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ upon¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ foremost³³⁹¹ among the³⁵⁸⁸ Shabbats⁴⁵²¹ [cf. Explanatory Note # 23 below!] when the³⁵⁸⁸ disciples³¹⁰¹ came together⁴⁸⁶³ to break²⁸⁰⁶ bread,⁷⁴⁰ Paul³⁹⁷² preached¹²⁵⁶ unto them,⁸⁴⁶ ready³¹⁹⁵ to depart¹⁸²⁶ on the³⁵⁸⁸ morrow;¹⁸⁸⁷ [i.e. in the morning hours of the First Day of the week Aviv 22, 44 CE [Sunday May 10, 44 CE ] ]and⁵⁰³⁷ continued³⁹⁰⁵ his speech³⁰⁵⁶ until³³⁶⁰ midnight.³³¹⁷

Explanatory Note # 23:

What special day is being referenced by the words “the³⁵⁸⁸ foremost³³⁹¹ among the³⁵⁸⁸ Shabbats⁴⁵²¹?” The words found in Textus Receptus signifies one unique and very special day in the year. That day is the Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. However, Acts 20:7 makes it clear that in this particular year this day was not only the Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, but it was also the Seventh Day of the week. This constellation of days occurred on Aviv 21, 44 CE [Saturday May 9, 44 CE.]

To get a better understanding of the Greek words in Textus Receptus and of their correct translation, which is “the Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,” and which words do not mean that which is suggested by KJV, “the³⁵⁸⁸ first³³⁹¹ day of the³⁵⁸⁸ week,⁴⁵²¹” please consult the brief note and the associated comprehensive study at this link!

Please notice also how the words “Paul³⁹⁷² preached¹²⁵⁶ unto them,⁸⁴⁶ ready³¹⁹⁵ to depart¹⁸²⁶ on the³⁵⁸⁸ morrow;¹⁸⁸⁷ ” further emphasizes the fact that the very foundation of Hag Ha-Shavout, the Omer Reshit sacrifice [the Waving of the Sheaf,] was in no way referenced or observed on this particular morrow of Day One, when on the contrary, Paul obviously left very early at the first light of dawn in order “to go afoot” the 30 miles to Assos, where he arrived early enough that there was yet time to sail about 140km before sunset that day. To accomplish this even with very good sailing conditions Paul must have arrived in Assos and boarded the ship quite early in the morning! There is more about this in verse 11 and under Explanatory Note # 24: below!

But if Hag Ha-Shavout / Pentecost was observed, not only by the Apostles but also by the Jews generally in New Testament times, on the Seventh Day Shabbat only, and not on the First Day of the week, then it follows that Hag Ha-Shavout / Pentecost observance on any other day than the Seventh Day Shabbat is a mistake without foundation in the Torah and without foundation in ancient tradition, does it not?!

Acts 20:8 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ there were²²⁵⁸ many²⁴²⁵ lights²⁹⁸⁵ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ upper chamber,⁵²⁵³ where³⁷⁵⁷ they were²²⁵⁸ gathered together.⁴⁸⁶³

Acts 20:9 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ there sat²⁵²¹ in¹⁹⁰⁹ a window²³⁷⁶ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ young man³⁴⁹⁴ named³⁶⁸⁶ Eutychus,²¹⁶¹ being fallen into²⁷⁰² a deep⁹⁰¹ sleep:⁵²⁵⁸ and as Paul³⁹⁷² was⁽¹⁹⁰⁹⁾ long⁴¹¹⁹ preaching,¹²⁵⁶ he sunk down²⁷⁰² with⁵⁷⁵ sleep,⁵²⁵⁸ and fell⁴⁰⁹⁸ down²⁷³⁶ from⁵⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ third loft,⁵¹⁵² and²⁵³² was taken up¹⁴² dead.³⁴⁹⁸

Acts 20:10 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ Paul³⁹⁷² went down,²⁵⁹⁷ and fell on¹⁹⁶⁸ him,⁸⁴⁶ and²⁵³² embracing⁴⁸⁴³ him said,²⁰³⁶ Trouble not yourselves;^{2350, 3361} for¹⁰⁶³ his⁸⁴⁶ life⁵⁵⁹⁰ is²⁰⁷⁶ in¹⁷²² him.⁸⁴⁶

Acts 20:11 KJV+ When¹¹⁶¹ he therefore was come up again,³⁰⁵ and²⁵³² had broken²⁸⁰⁶ bread,⁷⁴⁰ and²⁵³² eaten,¹⁰⁸⁹ and⁵⁰³⁷ talked³⁶⁵⁶ a long while,^{1909, 2425} even till⁸⁹¹ break of day,⁸²⁷ so³⁷⁷⁹ he departed.¹⁸³¹

Explanatory Note # 24:

Notice that Paul’s time of departure was at the first rays of dawn (cf. Strong’s G827!) the First Day of the week Aviv 22, 44 CE [Sunday May 10, 44 CE, ] cf. v. 13-14 below!

And once again, where is the evidence in the New Testament for Paul, for anyone among the apostles, or even among anyone of the Jews, the Pharisees, the Scribes, or even the High Priests, observing Hag Ha-Shavout on the First Day of the week, or else for chastising anyone for teaching or acting differently?

Acts 20:12 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ they brought⁷¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ young man³⁸¹⁶ alive,²¹⁹⁸ and²⁵³² were not³⁷⁵⁶ a little³³⁵⁷ comforted.³⁸⁷⁰

Acts 20:13 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ we²²⁴⁹ went before⁴²⁸¹ to¹⁹⁰⁹ ship,⁴¹⁴³ and sailed³²¹ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Assos,⁷⁸⁹ there¹⁵⁶⁴ intending³¹⁹⁵ to take in³⁵³ Paul:³⁹⁷² for¹⁰⁶³ so³⁷⁷⁹ had²²⁵⁸ he appointed,¹²⁹⁹ minding³¹⁹⁵ himself⁸⁴⁶ to go afoot.³⁹⁷⁸

Explanatory Note # 25

Date of these events: The First Day of the week Aviv 22, 44 CE [Sunday May 10, 44 CE.]

The distance covered by Paul when traveling “afoot” is about 20 miles (30km) as the crow flies. There are hills 2000 feet high between his point of departure and his destination. The distance along today’s highway is about 30 miles (50km.) If he averaged running 10km per hour this route would have taken him about 5 hours. I believe this shows that Paul was in quite excellent physical shape. The sailing distance from Troas to Assos is 60km, and then an additional 50km to Mitylene (v. 14) and then still another 90km to Chios, for a total sailing distance that First Day of the week of 200km. The Second Day sailing from Chios to Samos is a 120km sailing distance. The Third Day sailing distance from Samos to Miletus (v. 15) was only about 30km. On the Fourth Day they sailed 90km to Coos and then another 100km to Rhodes, for a total of 190km that Fourth Day (Acts 21:1.) The Fifth Day began with a sailing distance from Rhodes to Patara of 100km (Acts 21:1.) From Patara to Tyre is another 620km, for a total of 720km sailing, or an average of about 360km/day, for Days Five and Six, or perhaps a little less, if part of Day Seven was spent sailing prior to their arrival in Tyre. In Tyre they met with the brethren on the Seventh Day Shabbat. (Acts 21:2-4.)

Acts 20:14 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when⁵⁶¹³ he met⁴⁸²⁰ with us²²⁵⁴ at¹⁵¹⁹ Assos,⁷⁸⁹ we took him in,^{353, 846} and came²⁰⁶⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Mitylene.³⁴¹²

Explanatory Note # 26

Date of these events: The First Day of the week Aviv 22, 44 CE [Sunday May 10, 44 CE,] cf. Explanatory Note # 25 above!

Acts 20:15 TLT+ And we sailed thence,^{2547, 636} and came²⁶⁵⁸ the³⁵⁸⁸ next¹⁹⁶⁶ day [Sunday at sunset] over against⁴⁸¹ Chios;⁵⁵⁰⁸ and¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ next²⁰⁸⁷ day [Monday at sunset] we arrived³⁸⁴⁶ at¹⁵¹⁹ Samos,⁴⁵⁴⁴ and²⁵³² tarried³³⁰⁶ at¹⁷²² Trogyllium;⁵¹⁷⁵ and the³⁵⁸⁸ next²¹⁹² day [Tuesday at sunset] we came²⁰⁶⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Miletus.³³⁹⁹

Explanatory Note # 27:

Dating each of these events:

1. Day One accomplishment: 200 km. Arrived “over against Chios” at the beginning of the Second Day of the week Aviv 23, 44 CE [sunset Sunday May 10, 44 CE;]

2. Day Two accomplishment: 120 km. “Arrived at Samos” at the beginning of the Third Day of the week Aviv 24, 44 CE [sunset Monday May 11, 44 CE;]

3. Day Three accomplishment: 30 km. “Came to Miletus” at the beginning of the Fourth Day of the week Aviv 25, 44 CE [sunset Tuesday May 12, 44 CE.]

Re the brief stop at Miletus cf. also Explanatory Note # 25 above!

Considering the sunset to sunset reckoning of time generally used, at least by Jewish historians like Luke and Josephus, in New Testament times the term translated in KJV “next¹⁹⁶⁶ day” probably references the 24 hour period starting at sunset in any given day!

Notice in particular, re this issue of time reckoning, the events between the arrival to and the departure from Miletus. If the ship arrived at sunset there would be all night and some hours of the next day for accomplishing all that is recorded in Acts 20:17 through Acts 21:1, whereas if the arrival occurred in the morning there would likely be less time available, considering that the ship might seem less likely to sail off in the middle of the night. Consider that the distance, as the crow flies, between Miletus and Ephesus is about 30 miles (50 km.) These people seems quite light footed, do they not?

Re the words “ the³⁵⁸⁸ next¹⁹⁶⁶ day ” it may be well to consider also Strong’s G1966: ”Feminine singular participle of a compound of G1909 and εἷμι heimi (to go); supervening, that is, (G2250 or G3571 being expressed or implied) the ensuing day or night,” G1909: “ἐπί, epi, ep-ee', A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], that is, over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.” and G2250: “ἡμέρα, hēmera, hay-mer'-ah, Feminine (with G5610 implied) of a derivative of ἧμαι hēmai (to sit; akin to the base of G1476) meaning tame, that is, gentle; day, that is, (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes)”

Acts 20:16 KJV+ For¹⁰⁶³ Paul³⁹⁷² had determined²⁹¹⁹ to sail by³⁸⁹⁶ Ephesus,²¹⁸¹ because³⁷⁰⁴ he⁸⁴⁶ would¹⁰⁹⁶ not³³⁶¹ spend the time⁵⁵⁵¹ in¹⁷²² Asia:⁷⁷³ for¹⁰⁶³ he hasted,⁴⁶⁹² if¹⁴⁸⁷ it were²²⁵⁸ possible¹⁴¹⁵ for him,⁸⁴⁶ to be¹⁰⁹⁶ at¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem²⁴¹⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ day²²⁵⁰ of Pentecost.⁴⁰⁰⁵

Explanatory Note # 28:

Here is displayed for us the focus and the most immediate goal of Paul’s travel: “To be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.” To find out exactly the dates of that event in Jerusalem, and of the events surrounding it, is the object also of this particular study of mine. Praise the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer, who is making all of these details of past times available for the taking!

Notice Paul’s attitude here. He had yet close to six full weeks before the Day of Pentecost. Yet “he hasted” and seem to be somewhat in doubt as reflected by the words “if it were possible…” If indeed the sailing trip from Phillippi to Troas had taken a full five days this hesitancy would certainly be warranted, would it not? Thus this verse could be taken as an argument in favor of said five day sailing scenario, could it not? Cf. Explanatory Note # 22: above!

Acts 20:17 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ from⁵⁷⁵ Miletus³³⁹⁹ he sent³⁹⁹² to¹⁵¹⁹ Ephesus,²¹⁸¹ and called³³³³ the³⁵⁸⁸ elders⁴²⁴⁵ of the³⁵⁸⁸ church.¹⁵⁷⁷

Acts 20:18 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when⁵⁶¹³ they were come³⁸⁵⁴ to⁴³¹⁴ him,⁸⁴⁶ he said²⁰³⁶ unto them,⁸⁴⁶ Ye⁵²¹⁰ know,¹⁹⁸⁷ from⁵⁷⁵ the first⁴⁴¹³ day²²⁵⁰ that^{575, 3739} I came¹⁹¹⁰ into¹⁵¹⁹ Asia,⁷⁷³ after what manner⁴⁴⁵⁹ I have been¹⁰⁹⁶ with³³²⁶ you⁵²¹⁶ at all³⁹⁵⁶ seasons,⁵⁵⁵⁰

Acts 20:19 KJV+ Serving¹³⁹⁸ the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² with³³²⁶ all³⁹⁵⁶ humility of mind,⁵⁰¹² and²⁵³² with many⁴¹⁸³ tears,¹¹⁴⁴ and²⁵³² temptations,³⁹⁸⁶ which befell⁴⁸¹⁹ me³⁴²⁷ by¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ lying in wait¹⁹¹⁷ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews:²⁴⁵³

Acts 20:20 KJV+ And how⁵⁶¹³ I kept back⁵²⁸⁸ nothing³⁷⁶² that was profitable⁴⁸⁵¹ unto you,⁽³³⁶¹⁾ but have showed³¹² you,⁵²¹³ and²⁵³² have taught¹³²¹ you⁵²⁰⁹ publicly,¹²¹⁹ and²⁵³² from house to house,^{2596, 3624}

Acts 20:21 KJV+ Testifying¹²⁶³ both⁵⁰³⁷ to the Jews,²⁴⁵³ and²⁵³² also to the Greeks,¹⁶⁷² repentance³³⁴¹ toward¹⁵¹⁹ God,²³¹⁶ and²⁵³² faith⁴¹⁰² toward¹⁵¹⁹ our²²⁵⁷ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus²⁴²⁴ Christ.⁵⁵⁴⁷

Acts 20:22 KJV+ And²⁵³² now,³⁵⁶⁸ behold,²⁴⁰⁰ I¹⁴⁷³ go⁴¹⁹⁸ bound¹²¹⁰ in the³⁵⁸⁸ spirit⁴¹⁵¹ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem,²⁴¹⁹ not³³⁶¹ knowing¹⁴⁹² the things that shall befall⁴⁸⁷⁶ me³⁴²⁷ there:^{1722, 846}

Acts 20:23 KJV+ Save⁴¹³³ that³⁷⁵⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ Holy⁴⁰ Ghost⁴¹⁵¹ witnesseth¹²⁶³ in every city,^{2596, 4172} saying³⁰⁰⁴ that³⁷⁵⁴ bonds¹¹⁹⁹ and²⁵³² afflictions²³⁴⁷ abide³³⁰⁶ me.³¹⁶⁵

Acts 20:24 KJV+ But²³⁵ none of these things move me,^{4160, 3056, 3762} neither³⁷⁶¹ count²¹⁹² I my³⁴⁵⁰ life⁵⁵⁹⁰ dear⁵⁰⁹³ unto myself,¹⁶⁸³ so that⁵⁶¹³ I might finish⁵⁰⁴⁸ my³⁴⁵⁰ course¹⁴⁰⁸ with³³²⁶ joy,⁵⁴⁷⁹ and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ ministry,¹²⁴⁸ which³⁷³⁹ I have received²⁹⁸³ of³⁸⁴⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus,²⁴²⁴ to testify¹²⁶³ the³⁵⁸⁸ gospel²⁰⁹⁸ of the³⁵⁸⁸ grace⁵⁴⁸⁵ of God.²³¹⁶

Acts 20:25 KJV+ And²⁵³² now,³⁵⁶⁸ behold,²⁴⁰⁰ I¹⁴⁷³ know¹⁴⁹² that³⁷⁵⁴ ye⁵²¹⁰ all,³⁹⁵⁶ among¹⁷²² whom³⁷³⁹ I have gone¹³³⁰ preaching²⁷⁸⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ kingdom⁹³² of God,²³¹⁶ shall see³⁷⁰⁰ my³⁴⁵⁰ face⁴³⁸³ no more.³⁷⁶⁵

Acts 20:26 KJV+ Wherefore¹³⁵² I take you to record^{3143, 5213} this⁴⁵⁹⁴ day,²²⁵⁰ that³⁷⁵⁴ I¹⁴⁷³ am pure²⁵¹³ from⁵⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ blood¹²⁹ of all³⁹⁵⁶ men.

Acts 20:27 KJV+ For¹⁰⁶³ I have not³⁷⁵⁶ shunned⁵²⁸⁸ to⁽³³⁶¹⁾ declare³¹² unto you⁵²¹³ all³⁹⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ counsel¹⁰¹² of God.²³¹⁶

Acts 20:28 KJV+ Take heed⁴³³⁷ therefore³⁷⁶⁷ unto yourselves,¹⁴³⁸ and²⁵³² to all³⁹⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ flock,⁴¹⁶⁸ over¹⁷²² the which³⁷³⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ Holy⁴⁰ Ghost⁴¹⁵¹ hath made⁵⁰⁸⁷ you⁵²⁰⁹ overseers,¹⁹⁸⁵ to feed⁴¹⁶⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ church¹⁵⁷⁷ of God,²³¹⁶ which³⁷³⁹ he hath purchased⁴⁰⁴⁶ with¹²²³ his own²³⁹⁸ blood.¹²⁹

Acts 20:29 KJV+ For¹⁰⁶³ I¹⁴⁷³ know¹⁴⁹² this,⁵¹²⁴ that³⁷⁵⁴ after³³²⁶ my³⁴⁵⁰ departing⁸⁶⁷ shall grievous⁹²⁶ wolves³⁰⁷⁴ enter in¹⁵²⁵ among¹⁵¹⁹ you,⁵²⁰⁹ not³³⁶¹ sparing⁵³³⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ flock.⁴¹⁶⁸

Acts 20:30 KJV+ Also²⁵³² of¹⁵³⁷ your own selves^{5216, 846} shall men⁴³⁵ arise,⁴⁵⁰ speaking²⁹⁸⁰ perverse things,¹²⁹⁴ to draw away⁶⁴⁵ disciples³¹⁰¹ after³⁶⁹⁴ them.⁸⁴⁶

Acts 20:31 KJV+ Therefore¹³⁵² watch,¹¹²⁷ and remember,³⁴²¹ that³⁷⁵⁴ by the space of three years⁵¹⁴⁸ I ceased³⁹⁷³ not³⁷⁵⁶ to warn³⁵⁶⁰ every¹⁵³⁸ one¹⁵²⁰ night³⁵⁷¹ and²⁵³² day²²⁵⁰ with³³²⁶ tears.¹¹⁴⁴

Acts 20:32 KJV+ And²⁵³² now,³⁵⁶⁹ brethren,⁸⁰ I commend³⁹⁰⁸ you⁵²⁰⁹ to God,²³¹⁶ and²⁵³² to the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of his⁸⁴⁶ grace,⁵⁴⁸⁵ which is able¹⁴¹⁰ to build you up,²⁰²⁶ and²⁵³² to give¹³²⁵ you⁵²¹³ an inheritance²⁸¹⁷ among¹⁷²² all³⁹⁵⁶ them which are sanctified.³⁷

Acts 20:33 KJV+ I have coveted¹⁹³⁷ no man's³⁷⁶² silver,⁶⁹⁴ or²²²⁸ gold,⁵⁵⁵³ or²²²⁸ apparel.²⁴⁴¹

Acts 20:34 KJV+ Yea,¹¹⁶¹ ye⁸⁴⁶ yourselves know,¹⁰⁹⁷ that³⁷⁵⁴ these³⁷⁷⁸ hands⁵⁴⁹⁵ have ministered⁵²⁵⁶ unto my³⁴⁵⁰ necessities,⁵⁵³² and²⁵³² to them that were⁵⁶⁰⁷ with³³²⁶ me.¹⁷⁰⁰

Acts 20:35 KJV+ I have showed⁵²⁶³ you⁵²¹³ all things,³⁹⁵⁶ how that³⁷⁵⁴ so³⁷⁷⁹ laboring²⁸⁷² ye ought¹¹⁶³ to support⁴⁸² the³⁵⁸⁸ weak,⁷⁷⁰ and⁵⁰³⁷ to remember³⁴²¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ words³⁰⁵⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus,²⁴²⁴ how³⁷⁵⁴ he⁸⁴⁸ said,²⁰³⁶ It is²⁰⁷⁶ more³¹²³ blessed³¹⁰⁷ to give¹³²⁵ than²²²⁸ to receive.²⁹⁸³

Acts 20:36 KJV+ And²⁵³² when he had thus⁵⁰²³ spoken,²⁰³⁶ he kneeled down,^{5087, 846, 1119} and prayed⁴³³⁶ with⁴⁸⁶² them⁸⁴⁶ all.³⁹⁵⁶

Acts 20:37 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ they all wept sore,^{1096, 2425, 2805, 3956} and²⁵³² fell¹⁹⁶⁸ on¹⁹⁰⁹ Paul's³⁹⁷² neck,⁵¹³⁷ and kissed²⁷⁰⁵ him,⁸⁴⁶

Acts 20:38 KJV+ Sorrowing³⁶⁰⁰ most of all³¹²² for¹⁹⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ words³⁰⁵⁶ which³⁷³⁹ he spake,²⁰⁴⁶ that³⁷⁵⁴ they should³¹⁹⁵ see²³³⁴ his⁸⁴⁸ face⁴³⁸³ no more.³⁷⁶⁵ And¹¹⁶¹ they accompanied⁴³¹¹ him⁸⁴⁶ unto¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ ship.⁴¹⁴³

Explanatory Note # 29

The distance between Ephesus and Miletus is about 30 miles (50 km.) How were they able to realize this face to face meeting without prior arrangement? How many hours did they stay in Miletus? What hours of the day were spent in Miletus, considering also that on this same Fourth Day of the week, after leaving Miletus, they sailed 190 km before the end of the day? 190 km is a distance very similar to the greatest distance traveled each of the three days prior. It is also a little more than half the distance covered in comparison with the average for the non-stop two day journey on the long leg from Rhodes to Tyre beginning on the very next day (Acts 21:1-3.)

It seems to me that this meeting must have taken place in the beginning of the 24 hour day, i.e. during the evening hours. Perhaps there were ways of communicating across far distances using coded light signals, which would seem an easier accomplishment during the dark hours than during daylight hours? If only one party had to travel afoot across the distance this would simplify the successful accomplishment of this meeting, would it not?

[Cf. also Explanatory Note # 25 and Explanatory Note # 27 above!]

Acts 21:1 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ it⁽⁵⁶¹³⁾ came to pass,¹⁰⁹⁶ that after we²²⁴⁸ were gotten⁶⁴⁵ from⁵⁷⁵ them,⁸⁴⁶ and had launched,³²¹ we came²⁰⁶⁴ with a straight course²¹¹³ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Coos,²⁹⁷² and¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ day following¹⁸³⁶ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Rhodes,⁴⁴⁹⁹ and from thence²⁵⁴⁷ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Patara:³⁹⁵⁹

Explanatory Note # 30

Dating each of these events:

1. Day Four accomplishment: 190 km. After meeting with the brethren from Ephesus at Miletus, “came… unto Rhodes” at the beginning of the Fifth Day of the week Aviv 26, 44 CE [sunset Wednesday May 13, 44 CE.]

2. Day Five accomplishment: 100 km (for starters) to Patara.

Re the itinerary for each day please cf. Explanatory Note # 25 above!

Acts 21:2 KJV+ And²⁵³² finding²¹⁴⁷ a ship⁴¹⁴³ sailing over¹²⁷⁶ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Phoenicia,⁵⁴⁰³ we went aboard,¹⁹¹⁰ and set forth.³²¹

Acts 21:3 KJV+ Now¹¹⁶¹ when we had discovered³⁹⁸ Cyprus,²⁹⁵⁴ we⁽²⁵³²⁾ left²⁶⁴¹ it⁸⁴⁶ on the left hand,²¹⁷⁶ and sailed⁴¹²⁶ into¹⁵¹⁹ Syria,⁴⁹⁴⁷ and²⁵³² landed²⁶⁰⁹ at¹⁵¹⁹ Tyre:⁵¹⁸⁴ for¹⁰⁶³ there¹⁵⁶⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ ship⁴¹⁴³ was²²⁵⁸ to unlade⁶⁷⁰ her burden.¹¹¹⁷

[Cf. Explanatory Note # 25 above!]

Acts 21:4 TLT+ And²⁵³² finding⁴²⁹ disciples³¹⁰¹ we tarried¹⁹⁶¹ there⁸⁴⁷ Day²²⁵⁰ Seven²⁰³³ [Seventh-Day Sabbath: Sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. May 15/16, 44 CE] Those³⁷⁴⁸ told³⁰⁰⁴ Paul,³⁹⁷² through¹²²³ the³⁵⁸⁸ Spirit,⁴¹⁵¹ that he should not³³⁶¹ go up³⁰⁵ to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem.²⁴¹⁹

Explanatory Note # 31

Dating each of these events:

Day Five through Day Seven accomplishment: 720km. From Rhodes… “sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre…” “finding disciples we tarried there Day Seven” of the week. Aviv 26-28, 44 CE [Sunset Wednesday - Saturday May 13-16, 44 CE.]

Acts 21:5 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ when³⁷⁵³ we²²⁴⁸ had¹⁰⁹⁶ completed¹⁸²² the³⁵⁸⁸ days [cf. Explanatory Note # 32]²²⁵⁰ we departed¹⁸³¹ and went our way;⁴¹⁹⁸ and they all³⁹⁵⁶ brought us on our way,^{4311, 2248} with⁴⁸⁶² wives¹¹³⁵ and²⁵³² children,⁵⁰⁴³ till²¹⁹³ we were out¹⁸⁵⁴ of the³⁵⁸⁸ city:⁴¹⁷² and²⁵³² we kneeled down^{5087, 1119} on¹⁹⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ shore,¹²³ and prayed.⁴³³⁶

Explanatory Note # 32

What does the words “completed the days” refer to? Or as KJV has it “when we had accomplished¹⁸²² those days?” The language in Textus Receptus, and the context, makes it quite clear that Paul and his travel companions tarried in Tyre on the Seventh Day and not, as KJV has it, for “seven days” (Acts 21:4.) Accordingly, reference cannot be intended unto a seven day long stay that never existed, can it?

The Seventh Day is the last day of the week. It is therefore also the day which makes the week complete. The fourth commandment teaches us to keep the Shabbat holy (Ex. 20:8,) and to sanctify it (Deut. 5:12.) The words ‘holy’ and ‘sanctify’ means clean(sing) or pure(ifying.) Inherent in those words is the idea of keeping something in order, perfect, fully functional. The word ‘seven’ also is associated with cleansing. There is the notion of “sevening one self” meaning to become clean. In the Swedish language the name of the Seventh Day is “Lördag,” which is derived from an older name “Lögardagen,” which means the day of cleansing, i.e. the holy day or the day of sanctification.

Completing the week also implies coming to the very end of it. Thus Luke, the author of acts, makes it clear that they stayed in Tyre through the end of the Sabbath hours before reentering the ship for the last leg of there journey by sea.

Accordingly, it only make sense when Luke uses the words, in reference to the Seventh Day Shabbat, “when we had completed the days,” Acts 21:5, does it not?

Another very viable interpretation of said words is that found in Hendrickson’s The Interlinear Bible: “But when it was time for us to complete the days, going out we traveled.” It is apparent from the context that the ship that Paul and his companions was traveling with was en route to Ptolemais and that it stopped temporarily in Tyre only for the purpose of unloading some of its cargo. Thus said words, “when we had completed those days,” may also very well be in reference to their journey upon that ship.

Acts 21:6 KJV+ And²⁵³² when we had taken our leave⁷⁸² one of another,²⁴⁰ we took ship;^{1910, 1519, 4143} and¹¹⁶¹ they¹⁵⁶⁵ returned⁵²⁹⁰ home again.^{1519, 2398}

Acts 21:7 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ when we²²⁴⁹ had finished¹²⁷⁴ our course⁴¹⁴⁴ from⁵⁷⁵ Tyre,⁵¹⁸⁴ we came²⁶⁵⁸ to¹⁵¹⁹ Ptolemais,⁴⁴²⁴ and²⁵³² saluted⁷⁸² the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren,⁸⁰ and abode³³⁰⁶ with³⁸⁴⁴ them⁸⁴⁶ Day²²⁵⁰ One.³³⁹¹

Explanatory Note # 33

Ptolemais is not more than perhaps 25 miles (40 km.) This distance may well have been accomplished in a couple of hours. Thus the party arrived in Ptolemais relatively early on Day One of the week, Aviv 29, 44 CE [Saturday night May 16, 44 CE.] Luke makes it clear that Paul and his companions stayed overnight with “the brethren,” leaving early the next morning, i.e. “on the morrow” [Sunday morning May 17, 44 CE.]

Acts 21:8 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ on¹⁸⁸⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ morrow¹⁸⁸⁷ we that were of Paul's company^4012, 3972 departed,¹⁸³¹ and came²⁰⁶⁴ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Caesarea:²⁵⁴² and²⁵³² we entered¹⁵²⁵ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ house³⁶²⁴ of Philip⁵³⁷⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ evangelist,²⁰⁹⁹ which was⁵⁶⁰⁷ one of¹⁵³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ seven;²⁰³³ and abode³³⁰⁶ with³⁸⁴⁴ him.⁸⁴⁶

Explanatory Note # 34

The words ”on the morrow” points to the morning hours of Day One Aviv 29, 44 CE [Sunday morning May 17, 44 CE.] Cf. also Explanatory Note # 33 above.

The words “on the morrow” is a translation of a Greek word derived from two roots, one meaning “upon” (Strong’s G1909,) the other meaning “a breeze, i.e. the morning air” (Strong’s G839.) This Greek word conveys very much the same concept as that of the Hebrew word “מחר.^{4279 “} The meaning of both those words, i.e. “מחר⁴²⁷⁹” and “επαυριον¹⁸⁸⁷” convey very much the same meaning as the English words “in the morning hours,” and “tomorrow.” There is no inherent implication in either of those words pointing to the next 24 hour period. This is important to recognize, especially since this Hebrew word is the word used in the Torah for giving reference to the time when, on the morning of the Shabbat, the Omer Reshit sacrifice is to be given.

Acts 21:9 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ the same man⁵¹²⁹ had²²⁵⁸ four⁵⁰⁶⁴ daughters,²³⁶⁴ virgins,³⁹³³ which did prophesy.⁴³⁹⁵

Acts 21:10 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ as we²²⁵⁷ tarried¹⁹⁶¹ there the major portion⁴¹¹⁹ of days²²⁵⁰ [cf. Explanatory Note # 35] there came down²⁷¹⁸ from⁵⁷⁵ Judea²⁴⁴⁹ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ prophet,⁴³⁹⁶ named³⁶⁸⁶ Agabus.¹³

Explanatory Note # 35:

These words, “we tarried there the major portion of days,” KJV provides “we tarried there many days,” are clearly referencing either:

1. The 39 days remaining until Hag Ha-Shavout, that is from the time of their arrival to Philip and his daughters in Caesarea, which was late in Day One of the week, Aviv 29, 44, until they left for Jerusalem on Day Six of the week, Sivan 11, 44 [Sunday May 17, 44 (before sunset) and Thursday night or Friday morning June 25/26, 44 CE;] or else

2. All the 49 or 50 days of the Omer, that is referencing the counting of days and weeks towards and including Hag Ha-Shavout, a reminder intended to keep alive a correct understanding of the annual count towards the Year of Jubilee.

Apparently verse 15 below resolves this issue in favor of option #1 above. Cf. Explanatory Note # 36:!

Also, remember Agabus! He is referenced also in Acts 11:28. Agabus was instrumental in laying the foundation for Paul’s 1^st visit to Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-30.)

Acts 21:11 KJV+ And²⁵³² when he was come²⁰⁶⁴ unto⁴³¹⁴ us,²²⁴⁸ he⁽²⁵³²⁾ took¹⁴² Paul's³⁹⁷² girdle,²²²³ and⁵⁰³⁷ bound¹²¹⁰ his own⁸⁴⁸ hands⁵⁴⁹⁵ and²⁵³² feet,⁴²²⁸ and said,²⁰³⁶ Thus³⁵⁹² saith³⁰⁰⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ Holy⁴⁰ Ghost,⁴¹⁵¹ So³⁷⁷⁹ shall the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ at¹⁷²² Jerusalem²⁴¹⁹ bind¹²¹⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ man⁴³⁵ that³⁷³⁹ owneth²⁰⁷⁶ this³⁷⁷⁸ girdle,²²²³ and²⁵³² shall deliver³⁸⁶⁰ him into¹⁵¹⁹ the hands⁵⁴⁹⁵ of the Gentiles.¹⁴⁸⁴

Acts 21:12 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when⁵⁶¹³ we heard¹⁹¹ these things,⁵⁰²³ both⁵⁰³⁷ we,²²⁴⁹ and²⁵³² they of that place,¹⁷⁸⁶ besought³⁸⁷⁰ him⁸⁴⁶ not³³⁶¹ to go up³⁰⁵ to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem.²⁴¹⁹

Acts 21:13 KJV+ Then¹¹⁶¹ Paul³⁹⁷² answered,⁶¹¹ What⁵¹⁰¹ mean⁴¹⁶⁰ ye to weep²⁷⁹⁹ and²⁵³² to break⁴⁹¹⁹ mine³⁴⁵⁰ heart?²⁵⁸⁸ for¹⁰⁶³ I¹⁴⁷³ am²¹⁹² ready²⁰⁹³ not³⁷⁵⁶ to be bound¹²¹⁰ only,³⁴⁴⁰ but²³⁵ also²⁵³² to die⁵⁹⁹ at¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem²⁴¹⁹ for⁵²²⁸ the³⁵⁸⁸ name³⁶⁸⁶ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² Jesus.²⁴²⁴

Acts 21:14 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when he⁸⁴⁶ would not³³⁶¹ be persuaded,³⁹⁸² we ceased,²²⁷⁰ saying,²⁰³⁶ The³⁵⁸⁸ will²³⁰⁷ of the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord²⁹⁶² be done.¹⁰⁹⁶

Acts 21:15 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ after³³²⁶ those⁵⁰²⁵ days²²⁵⁰ [Cf. Explanatory Note # 36 below!] we took up our carriages,⁶⁴³ and went up³⁰⁵ to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem.²⁴¹⁹

Explanatory Note # 36:

In this verse I find that “those⁵⁰²⁵ days²²⁵⁰,” are apparently referring back to the words “the major portion⁴¹¹⁹ of days²²⁵⁰” in v. 10 above. Since the last and most important day of the Omer count, which is the Day of Pentecost, is clearly not included in this reference (Acts 21:15) it is clear that option #1 under Explanatory Note # 35: is the only viable option.

Accordingly “those days” are the 39 days that Paul and his party stayed with Phillip and his daughters in Caesarea. Those 39 days are counted upon the basis of Day One of the week, Aviv 29, 44, the first of the 39 days being Day Two, Zif 1, 44 CE and the 39^th day being Day Five, Sivan 10, 44 CE. The party left for Jerusalem on Day Six of the week, Sivan 11, 44 CE.

Acts 21:16 KJV+ There⁽¹¹⁶¹⁾ went⁴⁹⁰⁵ with⁴⁸⁶² us²²⁵⁴ also²⁵³² certain of the³⁵⁸⁸ disciples³¹⁰¹ of⁵⁷⁵ Caesarea,²⁵⁴² and brought⁷¹ with them one⁵¹⁰⁰ Mnason³⁴¹⁶ of Cyprus,²⁹⁵³ an old⁷⁴⁴ disciple,³¹⁰¹ with³⁸⁴⁴ whom³⁷³⁹ we should lodge.³⁵⁷⁹

Acts 21:17 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ when we²²⁵⁷ were come¹⁰⁹⁶ to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem,²⁴¹⁴ [on Friday afternoon and in good time before the beginning of the Shabbat] the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ received¹²⁰⁹ us²²⁴⁸ gladly.⁷⁸⁰

Explanatory Note # 37

It only makes sense, considering the importance of keeping the Sabbath commandment, that the Apostles planned their itinerary such that they arrived at their destination in time before the Shabbat and that prior arrangements had been made for their lodging with “one Mnason of Cyprus” (v. 16) in Jerusalem. Accordingly this event may be safely dated on Day Six of the week, Sivan 11, 44 CE [Friday June 26, 44 before sunset.]

Acts 21:18 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ day following¹⁹⁶⁶ [Hag Ha-Shavout] Paul³⁹⁷² went in¹⁵²⁴ with⁴⁸⁶² us²²⁵⁴ unto⁴³¹⁴ James;²³⁸⁵ and⁵⁰³⁷ all³⁹⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ elders⁴²⁴⁵ were present.³⁸⁵⁴

Explanatory Note # 38

As before (cf. Explanatory Note # 27: above) ”the day following” gives reference to the day beginning at sunset, not primarily to the next morning.

Accordingly Paul and his party met with “James; and all the elders” in the eve beginning Hag Ha-Shavout, the Day of Pentecost, which feast occurred, as always, on the Seventh Day Shabbat, Sivan 12, 44 CE [Friday night June 26, 44 CE after sunset and Saturday June 27, 44 CE until sunset.]

Acts 21:19 KJV+ And²⁵³² when he had saluted⁷⁸² them,⁸⁴⁶ he declared¹⁸³⁴ particularly^{2596, 1520, 1538} what things³⁷³⁹ God²³¹⁶ had wrought⁴¹⁶⁰ among¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ Gentiles¹⁴⁸⁴ by¹²²³ his⁸⁴⁸ ministry.¹²⁴⁸

Acts 21:20 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when they³⁵⁸⁸ heard¹⁹¹ it, they glorified¹³⁹² the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord,²⁹⁶² and⁵⁰³⁷ said²⁰³⁶ unto him,⁸⁴⁶ Thou seest,²³³⁴ brother,⁸⁰ how many⁴²¹⁴ thousands³⁴⁶¹ of Jews²⁴⁵³ there are¹⁵²⁶ which believe;⁴¹⁰⁰ and²⁵³² they are⁵²²⁵ all³⁹⁵⁶ zealous²²⁰⁷ of the³⁵⁸⁸ law:³⁵⁵¹

Acts 21:21 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ they are informed²⁷²⁷ of⁴⁰¹² thee,⁴⁶⁷⁵ that³⁷⁵⁴ thou teachest¹³²¹ all³⁹⁵⁶ the Jews²⁴⁵³ which³⁵⁸⁸ are among²⁵⁹⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ Gentiles¹⁴⁸⁴ to forsake⁶⁴⁶ Moses,³⁴⁷⁵ saying³⁰⁰⁴ that they⁸⁴⁶ ought not³³⁶¹ to circumcise⁴⁰⁵⁹ their children,⁵⁰⁴³ neither³³⁶⁶ to walk⁴⁰⁴³ after the³⁵⁸⁸ customs.¹⁴⁸⁵

Acts 21:22 KJV+ What⁵¹⁰¹ is²⁰⁷⁶ it therefore?³⁷⁶⁷ the multitude⁴¹²⁸ must¹¹⁶³ needs³⁸⁴³ come together:⁴⁹⁰⁵ for¹⁰⁶³ they will hear¹⁹¹ that³⁷⁵⁴ thou art come.²⁰⁶⁴

Acts 21:23 KJV+ Do⁴¹⁶⁰ therefore³⁷⁶⁷ this⁵¹²⁴ that³⁷³⁹ we say³⁰⁰⁴ to thee:⁴⁶⁷¹ We²²⁵⁴ have¹⁵²⁶ four⁵⁰⁶⁴ men⁴³⁵ which have²¹⁹² a vow²¹⁷¹ on¹⁹⁰⁹ them;¹⁴³⁸

Acts 21:24 TLT+ Associate^{5128, 3880} and clarify⁴⁸ thyself with⁴⁸⁶² them, ^{5128, 846} and²⁵³² spend time¹¹⁵⁹ with¹⁹⁰⁹ them,⁸⁴⁶ that²⁴⁴³ they may remove beams [preconceived ideas] from off³⁵⁸⁷ their minds:²⁷⁷⁶ [Cf. Matt. 7:4.] and²⁵³² all³⁹⁵⁶ may know¹⁰⁹⁷ that³⁷⁵⁴ those things, whereof³⁷³⁹ they were informed²⁷²⁷ concerning⁴⁰¹² thee,⁴⁶⁷⁵ are²⁰⁷⁶ nothing;³⁷⁶² but²³⁵ that thou⁸⁴⁸ thyself also²⁵³² walkest orderly,⁴⁷⁴⁸ and keepest⁵⁴⁴² the³⁵⁸⁸ law.³⁵⁵¹

Acts 21:25 KJV+ ⁽¹¹⁶¹⁾ As touching⁴⁰¹² the³⁵⁸⁸ Gentiles¹⁴⁸⁴ which believe,⁴¹⁰⁰ we²²⁴⁹ have written¹⁹⁸⁹ and concluded²⁹¹⁹ that they⁸⁴⁶ observe⁵⁰⁸³ no³³⁶⁷ such thing,⁵¹⁰⁸ save¹⁵⁰⁸ only that they keep⁵⁴⁴² themselves⁸⁴⁶ from⁽⁵⁰³⁷⁾ things offered to idols,¹⁴⁹⁴ and²⁵³² from blood,¹²⁹ and²⁵³² from strangled,⁴¹⁵⁶ and²⁵³² from fornication.⁴²⁰²

Acts 21:26 TLT+ Then⁵¹¹⁹ Paul³⁹⁷² associated himself with³⁸⁸⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ men,⁴³⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ same²¹⁹² day²²⁵⁰ [Hag Ha-Shavout, Sivan 12, 44 CE [Saturday June 27, 44 CE,]] and, having thus purified⁴⁸ himself [come to an understanding] with⁴⁸⁶² them⁸⁴⁶ entered¹⁵²⁴ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ temple,²⁴¹¹ to signify¹²²⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ completion¹⁶⁰⁴ of the³⁵⁸⁸ [49/50 count] days²²⁵⁰ of Hag Ha-Shavout,⁴⁹ until^{2193, 3757} that an offering⁴³⁷⁶ should be offered⁴³⁷⁴ for⁵²²⁸ every¹⁵³⁸ one¹⁵²⁰ of them.⁸⁴⁶

Acts 21:27 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ when⁵⁶¹³ Day²²⁵⁰ Seven²⁰³³ [Hag Ha-Shavout, Sivan 12, 44 CE [Saturday June 27, 44 CE,]] was almost³¹⁹⁵ ended,⁴⁹³¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ which were of⁵⁷⁵ Asia,⁷⁷³ when they saw²³⁰⁰ him⁸⁴⁶ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ temple,²⁴¹¹ stirred up⁴⁷⁹⁷ all³⁹⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ people,³⁷⁹³ and²⁵³² laid¹⁹¹¹ hands⁵⁴⁹⁵ on¹⁹⁰⁹ him,⁸⁴⁶…

Explanatory Note # 39:

Notice how clearly this 27^th verse - once correctly understood and translated - confirms that the conclusion of this particular Seventh Day Shabbat was also the conclusion of Hag Ha-Shavout [the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost,] which feast was obviously observed by Paul and his companions as they “entered into the temple, to signify the completion of the [49/50 count] days of Hag Ha-Shavout” (v. 26.) (Cf. additional evidence at Acts 13:42.)

Acts 24:1 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ after³³²⁶ Day²²⁵⁰ Five⁴⁰⁰² [Thursday night] Ananias³⁶⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ high priest⁷⁴⁹ descended²⁵⁹⁷ with³³²⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ elders,⁴²⁴⁵ and²⁵³² with a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ orator⁴⁴⁸⁹ named Tertullus,⁵⁰⁶¹ who³⁷⁴⁸ informed¹⁷¹⁸ the³⁵⁸⁸ governor²²³² against²⁵⁹⁶ Paul.³⁹⁷²…

Explanatory Note # 40:

Timing of this event: after the end of Day Five of the week, Sivan 24, 44 CE [after sunset Thursday July 9, 44 CE.]

Notice that the 12 days (v.11) referenced by Paul [the Sunday following upon Hag Ha-Shavout through the second following Thursday] - when based solidly upon Textus Receptus - twice again (1. by the 12 day count and 2. by the reference to Day Five of the week) confirm (cf. Explanatory Note # 42:) that which was confirmed also in Acts 21:27, i.e. that Hag Ha-Shavout was indeed observed on the Seventh Day Shabbat by Paul, and by all those others named, none among the Jews excluded (Acts 21:17-18, 26-27.)

Hag Ha-Shavout was not observed on the First Day of the week! To learn more about the basis for Hag Ha-Shavout please consult the Torah passages referenced in this link!

Contrary to common belief, the bible is not using so called “inclusive counting.” Neither is Josephus using “inclusive counting” in his works. Inclusive counts are commonly used in Roman and Catholic systems of counting. This difference is important to recognize if one is going to be able to understand the counting of ancient authors such as the authors of the bible and Josephus. Mixing these methods leads to many and important misconceptions and errors, e.g. the common misconception that Yeshua was risen and released out of the grave “as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week” (Matt. 28:1 KJV.)

Acts 24:10 TLT+ Then¹¹⁶¹ Paul,³⁹⁷² after that the³⁵⁸⁸ governor²²³² had beckoned³⁵⁰⁶ unto him⁸⁴⁶ to speak,³⁰⁰⁴ answered,⁶¹¹ Forasmuch as I know¹⁹⁸⁷ that thou⁴⁵⁷¹ hast been⁵⁶⁰⁷ of¹⁵³⁷ many⁴¹⁸³ years²⁰⁹⁴ [Cf. Explanatory Note # 41 below!] a judge²⁹²³ unto this⁵¹²⁹ nation,¹⁴⁸⁴ I do the more cheerfully²¹¹⁵ answer⁶²⁶ for⁴⁰¹² myself:¹⁶⁸³

Explanatory Note # 41:

Once again, please notice Explanatory Note # 40 above and the fact that the apostles and those other Jews referenced in this text passage observed and concluded Hag Ha-Shavout on the Seventh Day Shabbat and not on the morrow of a Sunday!

Re the words translated “many years:”

Felix has at this point completed five years of reign as proconsul over Judea. He is in his sixth civil year of reign. Before said five years there was also Felix’s accession year. Nonetheless, the Greek word here used, “πολλων^{4183 A-GPN},” is most likely giving reference only to the five full years of reign.

The words “many years” are clearly consistent with a 44 CE placement of the events recorded in these verses of Acts. Had I known for certain, before this study, the beginning and end of Felix’s reign, then the words “many years” in conjunction with the constellation of facts inherent in Acts 20:6-7 (and Acts 20:13-21:4) would have sufficed in order for me to determine the exact year for Paul’s meeting at Pentecost in Jerusalem as here recorded, but I didn’t know. And now I have learned many things, some of which perhaps were not known to very many before…

Acts 24:11 TLT+ Because that thou⁴⁶⁷⁵ mayest¹⁴¹⁰ understand,¹⁰⁹⁷ that³⁷⁵⁴ there are^{1526, (3427)} yet but^{3756, 4119, 2228} twelve¹¹⁷⁷ days²²⁵⁰ since^{575, 3739} I went³⁰⁵ worshipping⁴³⁵² in¹⁷²² Jerusalem.²⁴¹⁹ [Cf. Explanatory Note # 42 below!]

Explanatory Note # 42:

Paul was making this speech on Day Six, i.e. after the end of Day Five of the week, Sivan 25, 44 CE [i.e. after the sunset Thursday July 9, 44 CE.] Regarding Paul’s 12 day count: Paul went worshipping on the Day of Pentecost, i.e. on the Shabbat, Day Seven of the week, Sivan 12, 44 CE [Saturday June 27, 44 CE,] cf. Acts 21:26. As with accession days and years generally, said Shabbat is not counted towards the “twelve days.” Therefore, the twelve days consist of the succeeding week of 7 days plus the completed five days of the second week following Hag Ha-Shavout. Accordingly, beginning with Day One of the week subsequent to Hag Ha-Shavout through Day Five of the subsequent week, in accord with Acts 24:1&12, I find 7+5=12 days…

Acts 24:27 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ when the remainder of the civil year¹³³³ [Tishri 1, 43 through the end of Elul, 44 CE] was filled to its brim⁴¹³⁷ Porcius⁴²⁰¹ Festus⁵³⁴⁷ came into Felix' room:^{2983, 1240, 5344} and⁵⁰³⁷ Felix,⁵³⁴⁴ willing²³⁰⁹ to show²⁶⁹⁸ the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³ a pleasure,⁵⁴⁸⁵ left²⁶⁴¹ Paul³⁹⁷² bound¹²¹⁰…

Explanatory Note # 43

Felix’s reign, which was his 6^th civil year of reign, ended at the beginning of Tishri 1, 44 CE [October 12, 44 CE]

The word translated in KJV as “after,” Gr. “πληρωθεισης^{4137 V-APP-GSF},” is defined in Strong’s G#4137 “From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.”

The word translated in KJV as “two years,” Gr. “διετιας¹³³³” is used in the New Testament twice only (Acts 24:27 and Acts 28:30.) A careful analysis of the meaning of the word “διετιας” based upon its roots and upon what I believe is now established historical facts relative to the events in Acts 24:27, suggests the following improved definition for the Greek word “διετια¹³³³,” i.e. in comparison to the definition found in Strong’s G1333.

“From 1223, 2089, and 2094; through (διά) the remaining (“yet” or “still”) part of the civil “year” (έτος.)”

Though, as best I can tell, this definition is consistent, not only with historical facts, but also with the roots from which I believe this Greek word is ultimately derived, this definition differs from the definition found in Strong’s G1333.

Having thus established a better definition of said Greek word, we will no doubt arrive also at a more correct understanding of Acts 28:30. (Cf. below.)

Acts 25:1 TLT+ “Now³⁷⁶⁷ when Festus⁵³⁴⁷ was come into¹⁹¹⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ province,¹⁸⁸⁵ after³³²⁶ Day²²⁵⁰ Three⁵¹⁴⁰ [Tishri 9+, 44 CE [Tuesday after sunset, October 20, 44 CE,]] he ascended³⁰⁵ from⁵⁷⁵ Caesarea²⁵⁴² to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem.^2414” …

Explanatory Note # 44:

Although technically and grammatically the words used in KJV, “after three days,” may be used as giving reference to Festus, perhaps as leaving Caesarea for Jerusalem three days after arriving in Caesarea for his new appointment, replacing Felix as the new procurator of Rome for this region, I believe such a construction is unlikely and unwarranted.

A much clearer picture of the events as depicted by the author of Acts emerges when applying instead the Greek words upon the days of the week as found in the year 44 CE during the week of Yom Kippurim, the Day of At-One-Ment, Tishri 10, 44 CE [Wednesday, October 21, 44 CE.]

For a more complete analysis of the facts pertaining to this passage (Acts 25:1-6 ff.) please review this link.

Acts 25:6 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ when he [Festus] had tarried¹³⁰⁴ among¹⁷²² them⁸⁴⁶ past⁴¹¹⁹ the end²²²⁸ of Day²²⁵⁰ Ten¹¹⁷⁶ [Tishri 10+; past the conclusion of Day of At-One-Ment] he went down²⁵⁹⁷ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Caesarea;²⁵⁴² and the³⁵⁸⁸ next morning¹⁸⁸⁷ [Tishri 11 [Thursday AM, Oct 22, 44 CE]] sitting²⁵²³ on¹⁹⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ judgment seat⁹⁶⁸ commanded²⁷⁵³ Paul³⁹⁷² to be brought.⁷¹

Act 25:6 GNT+ διατριψας^{1304 V-AAP-NSM} δε^{1161 CONJ} εν^{1722 PREP} αυτοις^{846 P-DPM} ημερας^{2250 N-APF} πλειους^{4119 A-APF-C} η^{2228 PRT} δεκα^{1176 A-NUI} καταβας^{2597 V-2AAP-NSM} εις^{1519 PREP} καισαρειαν^{2542 N-ASF} τη^{3588 T-DSF} επαυριον^{1887 ADV} καθισας^{2523 V-AAP-NSM} επι^{1909 PREP} του^{3588 T-GSN} βηματος^{968 N-GSN} εκελευσεν^{2753 V-AAI-3S} τον^{3588 T-ASM} παυλον^{3972 N-ASM} αχθηναι^{71 V-APN}

Explanatory Note # 45:

“…past the end of Day Ten:”

That is, past the end of: “The 10^th day of the lunar month,” more than likely “Tishri 10,” “the Tenth Day of the Seventh Month,” “the Day of At-One-Ment,” considering that there is no other biblical feast day associated with the number ten.

I have found that in the New Testament, when giving reference to an event in the evening after sunset this construction is being frequently used: “After the end of Day #X.” Thus, in the beginning of Day #X+1 reference is still being given to Day #X. In this instance Day #X and Day #X+1 are the two days recognized as Tishri 10&11, 44 CE [We/Th Oct 21/22, 44 CE.]

“…the next morning:”

That is Tishri 11, 44 CE [Thursday Oct 22, 44 CE.]

Notice that if one were to consider applying this text to a year when Tishri 10 fell out on the Sixth Day of the week, i.e. Friday, then the words “the next morning” would point to the Seventh Day Shabbat. But I do not find it likely that the Jews here referenced, Paul not excluded, would consider showing up in the Roman Court in Caesarea before Festus on a Seventh Day Shabbat. Accordingly this passage is potentially useful for limiting our search for the exact timing of this event.

Notice the use of the Greek word in Textus Receptus, “ἐπαύριον,” which word corresponds to the Hebrew word “מחר,” and which clearly indicates the time of “the morning breeze.” This word is used, in the Scriptures, just like the English “tomorrow” and is referencing the time following the dark hours of night and the most immediately available dawn. I have found no instance in the Scriptures where either of these Hebrew and Greek words are being used in reference to a point in time beyond the next sunset, i.e. unless such time of “the morning breeze” is already in past time for a given day.

Cf. Strong’s G1887 :”From G1909 and G839; occurring on the succeeding day, that is, (G2250 being implied) tomorrow;” and

Strong’s G839: ”From a derivative of the same as G109 (meaning a breeze, that is, the morning air); properly fresh, that is, (adverbially with ellipsis of G2250) tomorrow.”

Notice that if, on the other hand, the Greek word here used, “ἐπαύριον,” were to be applied in the same manner as is the Hebrew word “מחר,” when used as a basis for observing Omer Reshit and Hag Ha-Shavout on the first day following a Shabbat, then, if Tishri 10 were to fall out upon a Thursday or a Friday, as potentially it does in 45, 46 and 47 CE, Festus, Paul, and “the Jews” referenced in Acts 25:7, perhaps including also “the high priest and the chief of the Jews” referenced in Acts 25:2, would all have met at court in Caesarea either on a Shabbat “morning,” or else on Sunday “morning” after traveling the 70 mile distance (as the crow flies) between Jerusalem and Caesarea. How likely is that?

Notice also the beauty of this long series of very specific and most exact dates as provided by Luke, the author of Acts, when applying these time references to this 44 CE scenario for the Apostolic Church Council in Jerusalem! This beauty is almost totally destroyed when those time references are applied onto any other year.

Act 26:19 KJV+ Whereupon,³⁶⁰⁶ O king⁹³⁵ Agrippa,⁶⁷ I was¹⁰⁹⁶ not³⁷⁵⁶ disobedient⁵⁴⁵ unto the³⁵⁸⁸ heavenly³⁷⁷⁰ vision:³⁷⁰¹

Act 26:20 KJV+ But²³⁵ showed⁵¹⁸ first⁴⁴¹² unto them³⁵⁸⁸ of¹⁷²² Damascus,¹¹⁵⁴ and²⁵³² at Jerusalem,²⁴¹⁴ and⁵⁰³⁷ throughout¹⁵¹⁹ all³⁹⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ coasts⁵⁵⁶¹ of Judea,²⁴⁴⁹ and²⁵³² then to the³⁵⁸⁸ Gentiles,¹⁴⁸⁴ that they should repent³³⁴⁰ and²⁵³² turn¹⁹⁹⁴ to¹⁹⁰⁹ God,²³¹⁶ and do⁴²³⁸ works²⁰⁴¹ meet⁵¹⁴ for repentance.³³⁴¹

Explanatory Note # 46

Compare Paul’s words re Jerusalem in verse 20 with Galatians 1:16 and notice how that Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus made reality of Paul’s claim of taking his orders directly from his Lord. That is the One identifying himself as “Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Acts 26:15:)

Gal 1:16 TLT+ To reveal⁶⁰¹ his⁸⁴⁸ Son⁵²⁰⁷ in¹⁷²² me,¹⁶⁹⁸ that²⁴⁴³ I might preach²⁰⁹⁷ him⁸⁴⁶ among¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ heathen¹⁴⁸⁴ directly.²¹¹² I conferred⁴³²³ not³⁷⁵⁶ with flesh⁴⁵⁶¹ and²⁵³² blood:¹²⁹

Gal 1:17 KJV+ Neither³⁷⁶¹ went I up⁴²⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem²⁴¹⁴ to⁴³¹⁴ them which were apostles⁶⁵² before⁴²⁵³ me;¹⁷⁰⁰ but²³⁵ I went⁵⁶⁵ into¹⁵¹⁹ Arabia,⁶⁸⁸ and²⁵³² returned⁵²⁹⁰ again³⁸²⁵ unto¹⁵¹⁹ Damascus.¹¹⁵⁴

Act 27:1 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when⁵⁶¹³ it was determined²⁹¹⁹ that we²²⁴⁸ should sail⁶³⁶ into¹⁵¹⁹ Italy,²⁴⁸² they delivered^{3860 (5037)} Paul³⁹⁷² and²⁵³² certain⁵¹⁰⁰ other²⁰⁸⁷ prisoners¹²⁰² unto one named³⁶⁸⁶ Julius,²⁴⁵⁷ a centurion¹⁵⁴³ of Augustus'⁴⁵⁷⁵ band.⁴⁶⁸⁶

Explanatory Note # 47

Re “Julius, a centurion of Augustus band:”

Cf. the following quotes out of Tacitus’ The Histories re a certain Julius Priscus, a centurion [under Nero and Galba] until accepting the pretorship over the Pretorian Guard under Emperor Vitellius in the last third of 53 CE:

“92. To command the Pretorian Guard he [Caesar Vitellius in late 53 CE/ed.] had selected Publilius Sabinus, who had been prefect of an auxiliary cohort, and Julius Priscus, at the moment a centurion.” (Tacitus, Cornelius, The Histories, The chapter entitled “Rome Under Vitellius,” Book Two:92.)

“55. Vitellius was like a sleeper awakened. He ordered Julius Priscus and Alfenus Varus to hold the Apennines with fourteen pretorian cohorts and all the available cavalry units.” (Tacitus, Cornelius, The Histories, The chapter entitled “The March On Rome,” Book Three:55)

“10… Julius Priscus, the prefect of the pretorian cohorts under Vitellius, committed suicide less from compulsion than a sense of shame” [The shame apparently due to his association with Vitellius who was now despised and killed.] (Tacitus, Cornelius, The Histories, The chapter entitled “A Divided Senate,” Book Four:10)

Also cf. the following quotes out of Suetonius’ The Lives of the Twelve Caesars re a certain Julius Vindex who at that time governed the province as pro-praetor:

“XL. The world, after tolerating such an emperor [Nero] for little less than fourteen years, at length forsook him; the Gauls, headed by Julius Vindex, who at that time governed the province as pro-praetor, being the first to revolt.” (C. Suetonius Tranquillus, THE LIVES OF THE TWELVE CAESARS, NERO CLAUDIUS CAESAR:XL.)

Act 27:2 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ entering into¹⁹¹⁰ a ship⁴¹⁴³ of Adramyttium,⁹⁸ we launched,³²¹ meaning³¹⁹⁵ to sail⁴¹²⁶ by the³⁵⁸⁸ coasts⁵¹¹⁷ of²⁵⁹⁶ Asia;⁷⁷³ one Aristarchus,⁷⁰⁸ a Macedonian³¹¹⁰ of Thessalonica,²³³¹ being⁵⁶⁰⁷ with⁴⁸⁶² us.²²⁵⁴

Act 27:3 TLT+ And⁵⁰³⁷ on Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day of the Feast of Tabernacles^{3588, 2087} we touched²⁶⁰⁹ at¹⁵¹⁹ Sidon.⁴⁶⁰⁵ And⁵⁰³⁷ Julius²⁴⁵⁷ courteously⁵³⁶⁴ entreated⁵⁵³⁰ Paul,³⁹⁷² and gave him liberty²⁰¹⁰ to go⁴¹⁹⁸ unto⁴³¹⁴ his friends⁵³⁸⁴ to refresh himself.^{5177, 1958}

Explanatory Note # 48

The Greek word used in Textus Receptus, “τη³⁵⁸⁸ ετερα²⁰⁸⁷,” literally means “the different.” It is well known that the number eight, as in the 8^th Day of the week or the 1^st Day of the subsequent week, represents something new and different from that which was before.

Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day of the Feast of Tabernacles, is not truly considered part of the Feast of Tabernacles, but is a Feast day in and of itself, i.e. something new and different. Thus it makes sense for Luke, the author of Acts, to use this Greek word in this setting. The context in time, and the special occasion motivating the event recorded as “And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself,” is evidence that this is indeed what the meaning of the Greek words “τη³⁵⁸⁸ ετερα²⁰⁸⁷” is in this setting.

Accordingly I find that the event referenced in Acts 27:3 most likely took place on Tishri 22, 44 CE [November 2, 44 CE.]

More re the Greek word “ετερα²⁰⁸⁷”

The Greek word “ετερα²⁰⁸⁷” is used 99 times in the New Testament Textus Receptus, but only three of these are in reference to time, i.e. Luke 6:6, Acts 20:15, and Acts 27:3:

Acts 20:15 is using this word apparently for the purpose of indicating the beginning of the next day of the same week and is thus not in reference to the Eighth Day of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Luke 6:6 on the other hand is most likely also in reference to the Eighth Day of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Act 27:4 KJV+ And when we had launched from thence,^{2547, 321} we sailed under⁵²⁸⁴ Cyprus,²⁹⁵⁴ because the³⁵⁸⁸ winds⁴¹⁷ were¹⁵¹¹ contrary.¹⁷²⁷

Act 27:5 KJV+ And⁵⁰³⁷ when we had sailed over¹²⁷⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ sea³⁹⁸⁹ of²⁵⁹⁶ Cilicia²⁷⁹¹ and²⁵³² Pamphylia,³⁸²⁸ we came²⁷¹⁸ to¹⁵¹⁹ Myra,³⁴⁶⁰ a city of Lycia.³⁰⁷³

Act 27:6 KJV+ And there²⁵⁴⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ centurion¹⁵⁴³ found²¹⁴⁷ a ship⁴¹⁴³ of Alexandria²²² sailing⁴¹²⁶ into¹⁵¹⁹ Italy;²⁴⁸² and he put¹⁶⁸⁸ us²²⁴⁸ therein.^{1519, 846}

Act 27:7 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when we had sailed slowly¹⁰²⁰ many²⁴²⁵ days,²²⁵⁰ and²⁵³² scarce³⁴³³ were come¹⁰⁹⁶ over against²⁵⁹⁶ Cnidus,²⁸³⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ wind⁴¹⁷ not³³⁶¹ suffering⁴³³⁰ us,²²⁴⁸ we sailed under⁵²⁸⁴ Crete,²⁹¹⁴ over against²⁵⁹⁶ Salmone;⁴⁵³⁴

Act 27:8 TLT+ And,⁵⁰³⁷ hardly³⁴³³ passing³⁸⁸¹ it,⁸⁴⁶ came²⁰⁶⁴ unto¹⁵¹⁹ a⁵¹⁰⁰ place⁵¹¹⁷ which is called²⁵⁶⁴ The Fair Havens²⁵⁶⁸; nigh¹⁴⁵¹ whereunto³⁷³⁹ was²²⁵⁸ the city⁴¹⁷² of Lasea.²⁹⁹⁶

Act 27:9 KJV+ Now¹¹⁶¹ when much²⁴²⁵ time⁵⁵⁵⁰ was spent,¹²³⁰ and²⁵³² when sailing⁴¹⁴⁴ was⁵⁶⁰⁷ now²²³⁵ dangerous,²⁰⁰⁰ because⁽²⁵³²⁾ the³⁵⁸⁸ fast³⁵²¹ was now already past,^{3928, 2235} Paul³⁹⁷² admonished³⁸⁶⁷ them,

Explanatory Note # 49

The words “the fast” are almost certainly in this instance in reference to the Day of At-One-Ment, i.e. Ethanim/Tishri 10, 44 CE [October 21, 44 CE,] especially considering the herein established very late Day of At-One-Ment in relation to beginning of winter on November 11 as defined by Pliny the Elder. Cf. Explanatory Note # 51 through Explanatory Note # 58 below!

Act 27:10 KJV+ And said³⁰⁰⁴ unto them,⁸⁴⁶ Sirs,⁴³⁵ I perceive²³³⁴ that³⁷⁵⁴ this voyage⁴¹⁴⁴ will³¹⁹⁵ be¹⁵¹⁰ with³³²⁶ hurt⁵¹⁹⁶ and²⁵³² much⁴¹⁸³ damage,²²⁰⁹ not³⁷⁵⁶ only³⁴⁴⁰ of the³⁵⁸⁸ lading⁵⁴¹⁴ and²⁵³² ship,⁴¹⁴³ but²³⁵ also²⁵³² of our²²⁵⁷ lives.⁵⁵⁹⁰

Act 27:11 KJV+ Nevertheless¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ centurion¹⁵⁴³ believed³⁹⁸² the³⁵⁸⁸ master²⁹⁴² and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ owner of the ship,³⁴⁹⁰ more³¹²³ than²²²⁸ those things which were spoken³⁰⁰⁴ by⁵²⁵⁹ Paul.³⁹⁷²

Act 27:12 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ because the³⁵⁸⁸ haven³⁰⁴⁰ was⁵²²⁵ not commodious⁴²⁸ to⁴³¹⁴ winter in,³⁹¹⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ more part⁴¹¹⁹ advised^{5087, 1012} to depart³²¹ thence also,²⁵⁴⁷ if by any means¹⁵¹³ they might¹⁴¹⁰ attain²⁶⁵⁸ to¹⁵¹⁹ Phenice,⁵⁴⁰⁵ and there to winter;³⁹¹⁴ which is an haven³⁰⁴⁰ of Crete,²⁹¹⁴ and lieth⁹⁹¹ toward²⁵⁹⁶ the southwest³⁰⁴⁷ and²⁵³² northwest.⁵⁵⁶⁶

Explanatory Note # 50

Re “toward the southwest and northwest:” Phenice or Phoenix is located on the southwest coast of the northwest end of Crete.

Act 27:13 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when the south wind³⁵⁵⁸ blew softly,⁵²⁸⁵ supposing¹³⁸⁰ that they had obtained²⁹⁰² their purpose,⁴²⁸⁶ loosing^{142, 788} thence, they sailed close by³⁸⁸¹ Crete.²⁹¹⁴

Act 27:14 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ not³⁷⁵⁶ long⁴¹⁸³ after³³²⁶ there arose⁹⁰⁶ against²⁵⁹⁶ it⁸⁴⁶ a tempestuous⁵¹⁸⁹ wind,⁴¹⁷ called²⁵⁶⁴ Euroclydon.²¹⁴⁸

Explanatory Note # 51

Euroclydon is a tempestuous “easterly or northeasterly” storm wind that is closely associated with the winter. The Greek word Euro means “east.” Pliny the Elder, the Roman historian, has narrowly defined the beginning and end for this and other special winds of the year. In his book The Natural History he states:

“…at the setting of the Vergiliæ[1], the winter commences, which usually happens on the third of the Ides of November[2] . This is the period of the winter north wind,… which is in the opposite direction to Africus[3].”

(Pliny the Elder, The Natural History (eds. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A.,) Chapter 47.)

Considering the fact that in all likelihood Euroclydon, as referenced in Acts 27:14, is one and the same as the “winter north wind” referenced by Pliny the Elder, I find that the event related by the words “there arose… a tempestuous wind” and recorded in Acts 27:14 most likely occurred on, or quite close to, November 11, 44 CE [Heshvan 1, 44 CE. Heshvan 2 is obviated by verse 27 as shown in Explanatory Note # 55 below.]

Act 27:15 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when the³⁵⁸⁸ ship⁴¹⁴³ was caught,⁴⁸⁸⁴ and²⁵³² could¹⁴¹⁰ not³³⁶¹ bear up⁵⁰³ into the³⁵⁸⁸ wind,⁴¹⁷ we let her drive.^{1929, 5342}

Act 27:16 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ running under⁵²⁹⁵ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ island³⁵¹⁹ which is called²⁵⁶⁴ Clauda,²⁸⁰² we had much work^{2480, 3433} to come by^{1096, 4031} the³⁵⁸⁸ boat:⁴⁶²⁷

Explanatory Note # 52

The small island Clauda is located at E24^° N35^° and Malta is located at E14^°30’ N36^°. Accordingly, Malta is located in a direction just slight north from true west from Clauda. If the ship Paul was sailing upon was drifting straight along with the wind the wind would have been between east and east south east, but it is certainly possible that the captain was attempting what he could to reach a more northerly latitude, thus making up for the apparently southerly touch of the wind. On the other hand, who is to say that the Euroclydon is not the name for any storm wind coming from an easterly direction as indicated by the roots of the word Euroclydon itself.

Act 27:17 KJV+ Which³⁷³⁹ when they had taken up,¹⁴² they used⁵⁵³⁰ helps,⁹⁹⁶ undergirding⁵²⁶⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ ship;⁴¹⁴³ and,⁵⁰³⁷ fearing⁵³⁹⁹ lest³³⁶¹ they should fall¹⁶⁰¹ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ quicksands,⁴⁹⁵⁰ struck sail,^{5465, 4632} and so³⁷⁷⁹ were driven.⁵³⁴²

Act 27:17 GNT+ ην^{3739 R-ASF} αραντες^{142 V-AAP-NPM} βοηθειαις^{996 N-DPF} εχρωντο^{5530 V-INI-3P} υποζωννυντες^{5269 V-PAP-NPM} το^{3588 T-ASN} πλοιον^{4143 N-ASN} φοβουμενοι^{5399 V-PNP-NPM} τε^{5037 PRT} μη^{3361 PRT-N} εις^{1519 PREP} την^{3588 T-ASF} συρτην^{4950 N-ASF} εκπεσωσιν^{1601 V-2AAS-3P} χαλασαντες^{5465 V-AAP-NPM} το^{3588 T-ASN} σκευος^{4632 N-ASN} ουτως^{3779 ADV} εφεροντο^{5342 V-IPI-3P}

Act 27:17 TLT+ Which³⁷³⁹ when they had taken up,¹⁴² they used⁵⁵³⁰ helps,⁹⁹⁶ undergirding⁵²⁶⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ ship;⁴¹⁴³ and,⁵⁰³⁷ fearing⁵³⁹⁹ lest³³⁶¹ they should fall¹⁶⁰¹ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ Syrtis⁴⁹⁵⁰ struck sail,^{5465, 4632} and so³⁷⁷⁹ were driven.⁵³⁴²

Explanatory Note # 53

The word in Textus Receptus is Syrtis (Gr. σύρτις.) Most likely this is a reference to Syrtis Minor and not to Syrtis Major, considering that the captain of the ship most likely knew the direction of the wind and the direction from Clauda towards Sicily, Malta, Syrtis Minor, and Syrtis Major, respectively, but not necessarily the exact speed and location of the ship from moment to moment. Based on what is known about the direction of the ship’s drift, from Clauda to Malta, the direction of the Euroclydon was coming out of true east or slightly towards E.S.E.. Consequently Syrtis Major, located in a southwesterly direction, was not a likely threat, whereas Syrtis Minor, located straight west from Clauda, was very much in the direction of travel and a real threat to the ship and its travelers.

Act 27:18 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ we²²⁵⁷ being exceedingly⁴⁹⁷¹ tossed with a tempest,⁵⁴⁹² the³⁵⁸⁸ next¹⁸³⁶ day they lightened the ship;^{4160, 1546}

Explanatory Note # 54

From the context, starting with verse 14, it appears as though “the next day” is referencing the day subsequent to the beginning of the Euroclydon referenced in verse 14, i.e. on, or quite close to, Heshvan 2 or 3, 44 CE [November 12, 44 CE. Heshvan 3 is obviated by verse 27 as shown in Explanatory Note # 55 below.]

Act 27:19 KJV+ And²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ third⁵¹⁵⁴ day we cast out⁴⁴⁹⁶ with our own hands⁸⁴⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ tackling⁴⁶³¹ of the³⁵⁸⁸ ship.⁴¹⁴³

Explanatory Note # 55

The Textus Receptus Greek is using the dat. sing. fem. format for the words “the third,” thus indicating “point of time.” Based upon the Greek language generally being used in the Textus Receptus I would expect “the third” to mean most likely “the Third Day of the week,” or else, if the context so dictates, “the Third day of the lunar month.” Considering 1. the fact that the 14^th day is being referenced in verse 27 below, and that November 11, 44 CE (cf. Explanatory Note # 51) fell out on a Wednesday, I find that in this verse (19,) the correct translation must be, most likely, “the Third day of the lunar month,” “the Third day of the Eight month,” “Bul Third, 44 CE,” or “Heshvan Third, 44 CE.”

But this conclusion also helps limiting the dates possible as referenced in Explanatory Note # 51 and Explanatory Note # 54 above allowing us to reference the days of those verses as Heshvan 1 and Heshvan 2, respectively.

Accordingly, the events recorded in Acts 27:19 occurred, most likely, on the Sixth Day of the week, the Third Day of the Eighth Moon, 44 CE [November 13, 44 CE.]

Act 27:20 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when neither³³⁸³ sun²²⁴⁶ nor³³⁸³ stars⁷⁹⁸ in¹⁹⁰⁹ many⁴¹¹⁹ days²²⁵⁰ appeared,²⁰¹⁴ and⁵⁰³⁷ no³⁷⁵⁶ small³⁶⁴¹ tempest⁵⁴⁹⁴ lay on¹⁹⁴⁵ us, all³⁹⁵⁶ hope¹⁶⁸⁰ that we²²⁴⁸ should be saved⁴⁹⁸² was then³⁰⁶³ taken away.⁴⁰¹⁴

Explanatory Note # 56

The statement “neither sun nor stars in many days appeared” constitutes further corroboration that indeed the New Moon for the Eight Moon, 44 CE, was determined by default, starting at the end of the 30^th day of Tishri, and, because of foul weather, not on actual observation. Had the weather not been inclement the New Moon would otherwise fairly likely have been visible one day earlier.

Act 27:21 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ after⁽⁵²²⁵⁾ long⁴¹⁸³ abstinence⁷⁷⁶ Paul³⁹⁷² stood forth²⁴⁷⁶ in¹⁷²² the midst³³¹⁹ of them,⁸⁴⁸ and said,^{2036 (5599)} Sirs,⁴³⁵ ye should¹¹⁶³ have⁽³³⁰³⁾ hearkened³⁹⁸⁰ unto me,³⁴²⁷ and not³³⁶¹ have loosed³²¹ from⁵⁷⁵ Crete,²⁹¹⁴ and⁵⁰³⁷ to have gained²⁷⁷⁰ this⁵⁰²⁶ harm⁵¹⁹⁶ and²⁵³² loss.²²⁰⁹

Act 27:22 KJV+ And²⁵³² now³⁵⁶⁹ I exhort³⁸⁶⁷ you⁵²⁰⁹ to be of good cheer:²¹¹⁴ for¹⁰⁶³ there shall be²⁰⁷¹ no³⁷⁶² loss⁵⁸⁰ of any man's life⁵⁵⁹⁰ among¹⁵³⁷ you,⁵²¹⁶ but⁴¹³³ of the³⁵⁸⁸ ship.⁴¹⁴³

Act 27:23 KJV+ For¹⁰⁶³ there stood by³⁹³⁶ me³⁴²⁷ this⁵⁰²⁶ night³⁵⁷¹ the angel³² of God,²³¹⁶ whose³⁷³⁹ I am,¹⁵¹⁰ and²⁵³² whom³⁷³⁹ I serve,³⁰⁰⁰

Explanatory Note # 57

Considering the context of verses 23-27 and, in particular the first two words of verse 27, translated “But¹¹⁶¹ when⁵⁶¹³” in KJV, but, per Strong’s Dictionary, probably more correctly translated “And¹¹⁶¹ in that manner⁵⁶¹³,” I conclude that, most likely, “this night” is referencing the same “fourteenth night” as referenced in verse 27 [the night of November 23 and 24, 44 CE.] As the most likely alternative, the thirteenth night of Bul/Heshvan [the night of November 22 and 23, 44 CE] may be referenced by Paul in this verse.

Act 27:24 KJV+ Saying,³⁰⁰⁴ Fear⁵³⁹⁹ not,³³⁶¹ Paul;³⁹⁷² thou⁴⁵⁷¹ must¹¹⁶³ be brought before³⁹³⁶ Caesar:²⁵⁴¹ and,²⁵³² lo,²⁴⁰⁰ God²³¹⁶ hath given⁵⁴⁸³ thee⁴⁶⁷¹ all³⁹⁵⁶ them that sail⁴¹²⁶ with³³²⁶ thee.⁴⁶⁷⁵

Act 27:25 KJV+ Wherefore,¹³⁵² sirs,⁴³⁵ be of good cheer:²¹¹⁴ for¹⁰⁶³ I believe⁴¹⁰⁰ God,²³¹⁶ that³⁷⁵⁴ it⁽³⁷⁷⁹⁾ shall be²⁰⁷¹ even as^{2596, 3739, 5158} it was told²⁹⁸⁰ me.³⁴²⁷

Act 27:26 KJV+ Howbeit¹¹⁶¹ we²²⁴⁸ must¹¹⁶³ be cast¹⁶⁰¹ upon¹⁵¹⁹ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ island.³⁵²⁰

Act 27:27 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ when in that manner⁵⁶¹³ the night³⁵⁷¹ of the fourteenth⁵⁰⁶⁵ of Bul came,¹⁰⁹⁶ as we²²⁵⁷ were being tossed about¹³⁰⁸ in¹⁷²² Adriatic Sea,⁹⁹ about²⁵⁹⁶ midnight^{3319, 3571} the³⁵⁸⁸ shipmen³⁴⁹² deemed⁵²⁸² that they⁸⁴⁸ drew near⁴³¹⁷ to some⁵¹⁰⁰ land;⁵⁵⁶¹

Explanatory Note # 58

More than likely “the fourteenth night” is here referencing the first half of the Third Day of the week, Bul (Heshvan) 14, 44 CE [the night of November 23 and 24, 44 CE.]

Act 27:28 KJV+ And²⁵³² sounded,¹⁰⁰¹ and found²¹⁴⁷ it twenty¹⁵⁰¹ fathoms:³⁷¹² and¹¹⁶¹ when they had gone a little further,^{1339, 1024} they sounded¹⁰⁰¹ again,³⁸²⁵ and²⁵³² found²¹⁴⁷ it fifteen¹¹⁷⁸ fathoms.³⁷¹²

Act 27:29 KJV+ Then⁵⁰³⁷ fearing⁵³⁹⁹ lest³³⁸¹ we should have fallen¹⁶⁰¹ upon¹⁵¹⁹ rocks,^{5138, 5117} they cast⁴⁴⁹⁶ four⁵⁰⁶⁴ anchors⁴⁵ out¹⁵³⁷ of the stern,⁴⁴⁰³ and wished²¹⁷² for the day.^{2250, (1096)}

Act 27:30 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ as the³⁵⁸⁸ shipmen³⁴⁹² were about²²¹² to flee⁵³⁴³ out of¹⁵³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ ship,⁴¹⁴³ when²⁵³² they had let down⁵⁴⁶⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ boat⁴⁶²⁷ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ sea,²²⁸¹ under color⁴³⁹² as though⁵⁶¹³ they would³¹⁹⁵ have cast¹⁶¹⁴ anchors⁴⁵ out of¹⁵³⁷ the foreship,⁴⁴⁰⁸

Act 27:31 KJV+ Paul³⁹⁷² said²⁰³⁶ to the³⁵⁸⁸ centurion¹⁵⁴³ and²⁵³² to the³⁵⁸⁸ soldiers,⁴⁷⁵⁷ Except³³⁶² these³⁷⁷⁸ abide³³⁰⁶ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ ship,⁴¹⁴³ ye⁵²¹⁰ cannot^{1410, 3756} be saved.⁴⁹⁸²

Act 27:32 KJV+ Then⁵¹¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ soldiers⁴⁷⁵⁷ cut off⁶⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ ropes⁴⁹⁷⁹ of the³⁵⁸⁸ boat,⁴⁶²⁷ and²⁵³² let¹⁴³⁹ her⁸⁴⁶ fall off.¹⁶⁰¹

Act 27:33 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ while^{891, 3739} the day²²⁵⁰ was³¹⁹⁵ coming on,¹⁰⁹⁶ Paul³⁹⁷² besought³⁸⁷⁰ them all⁵³⁷ to take³³³⁵ meat,⁵¹⁶⁰ saying,³⁰⁰⁴ This day⁴⁵⁹⁴ is the fourteenth⁵⁰⁶⁵ day²²⁵⁰ that ye have tarried⁴³²⁸ and continued¹³⁰⁰ fasting,⁷⁷⁷ having taken⁴³⁵⁵ nothing.³³⁶⁷

Explanatory Note # 59

Re “This day is the fourteenth day…” please cf. Explanatory Note # 58 above!

Act 27:34 KJV+ Wherefore¹³⁵² I pray³⁸⁷⁰ you⁵²⁰⁹ to take⁴³⁵⁵ some meat:⁵¹⁶⁰ for¹⁰⁶³ this⁵¹²⁴ is⁵²²⁵ for⁴³¹⁴ your⁵²¹² health:⁴⁹⁹¹ for¹⁰⁶³ there shall not an hair²³⁵⁹ fall⁴⁰⁹⁸ from¹⁵³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ head²⁷⁷⁶ of any³⁷⁶² of you.⁵²¹⁶

Act 27:35 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when he had thus⁵⁰²³ spoken,²⁰³⁶ he⁽²⁵³²⁾ took²⁹⁸³ bread,⁷⁴⁰ and gave thanks²¹⁶⁸ to God²³¹⁶ in presence¹⁷⁹⁹ of them all:³⁹⁵⁶ and²⁵³² when he had broken²⁸⁰⁶ it, he began⁷⁵⁶ to eat.²⁰⁶⁸

Act 27:36 KJV+ Then¹¹⁶¹ were¹⁰⁹⁶ they all³⁹⁵⁶ of good cheer,²¹¹⁵ and they⁸⁴⁸ also²⁵³² took⁴³⁵⁵ some meat.⁵¹⁶⁰

Act 27:37 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ we were²²⁵⁸ in all³⁹⁵⁶ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ ship⁴¹⁴³ two hundred threescore and sixteen^{1250, 1440, 1803} souls.⁵⁵⁹⁰

Act 27:38 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when they had eaten enough,^{2880, 5160} they lightened²⁸⁹³ the³⁵⁸⁸ ship,⁴¹⁴³ and cast out¹⁵⁴⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ wheat⁴⁶²¹ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ sea.²²⁸¹

Act 27:39 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when³⁷⁵³ it was¹⁰⁹⁶ day,²²⁵⁰ they knew¹⁹²¹ not³⁷⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ land:¹⁰⁹³ but¹¹⁶¹ they discovered²⁶⁵⁷ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ creek²⁸⁵⁹ with⁽²¹⁹²⁾ a shore,¹²³ into¹⁵¹⁹ the which³⁷³⁹ they were minded,¹⁰¹¹ if¹⁴⁸⁷ it were possible,¹⁴¹⁰ to thrust in¹⁸⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ ship.⁴¹⁴³

Explanatory Note # 60

Re the timing of the words “when it was day” please cf. Explanatory Note # 58 and Explanatory Note # 59 above!

Act 27:40 KJV+ And²⁵³² when they had taken up⁴⁰¹⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ anchors,⁴⁵ they committed¹⁴³⁹ themselves unto¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ sea,²²⁸¹ and⁽²⁶⁰⁾ loosed⁴⁴⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ rudder⁴⁰⁷⁹ bands,²²⁰² and²⁵³² hoisted up¹⁸⁶⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ mainsail⁷³⁶ to the³⁵⁸⁸ wind,⁴¹⁵⁴ and made²⁷²² toward¹⁵¹⁹ shore.¹²³

Act 27:41 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ falling⁴⁰⁴⁵ into¹⁵¹⁹ a place⁵¹¹⁷ where two seas met,¹³³⁷ they ran the ship aground;^{2027, 3588, 3491} and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ forepart^{4408 (3303)} stuck fast,²⁰⁴³ and remained³³⁰⁶ unmovable,⁷⁶¹ but¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ hinder part⁴⁴⁰³ was broken³⁰⁸⁹ with⁵²⁵⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ violence⁹⁷⁰ of the³⁵⁸⁸ waves.²⁹⁴⁹

Act 27:42 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ soldiers'⁴⁷⁵⁷ counsel¹⁰¹² was¹⁰⁹⁶ to²⁴⁴³ kill⁶¹⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ prisoners,¹²⁰² lest any of them^{3361, 5100} should swim out,¹⁵⁷⁹ and escape.¹³⁰⁹

Act 27:43 KJV+ But¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ centurion,¹⁵⁴³ willing¹⁰¹⁴ to save¹²⁹⁵ Paul,³⁹⁷² kept²⁹⁶⁷ them⁸⁴⁶ from their purpose;¹⁰¹³ and⁵⁰³⁷ commanded²⁷⁵³ that they which could¹⁴¹⁰ swim²⁸⁶⁰ should cast⁶⁴¹ themselves first⁴⁴¹³ into the sea, and get¹⁸²⁶ to¹⁹⁰⁹ land:¹⁰⁹³

Act 27:44 KJV+ And²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ rest,³⁰⁶² some³⁷³⁹ on¹⁹⁰⁹ boards,⁴⁵⁴⁸ and¹¹⁶¹ some^{3739 (3303)} on¹⁹⁰⁹ broken pieces⁽⁵¹⁰⁰⁾ of⁵⁷⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ ship.⁴¹⁴³ And²⁵³² so³⁷⁷⁹ it came to pass,¹⁰⁹⁶ that they escaped all safe^{1295, 3956} to¹⁹⁰⁹ land.¹⁰⁹³

Explanatory Note # 61

Re the timing of the words “it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” please cf. Explanatory Note # 58, Explanatory Note # 59 and Explanatory Note # 60 above!

Act 28:1 KJV+ And²⁵³² when they were escaped,¹²⁹⁵ then⁵¹¹⁹ they knew¹⁹²¹ that³⁷⁵⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ island³⁵²⁰ was called²⁵⁶⁴ Melita.³¹⁹⁴

Act 28:2 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ barbarous people⁹¹⁵ showed³⁹³⁰ us²²⁵⁴ no³⁷⁵⁶ little⁵¹⁷⁷ kindness:⁵³⁶³ for¹⁰⁶³ they kindled³⁸¹ a fire,⁴⁴⁴³ and received⁴³⁵⁵ us²²⁴⁸ every one,³⁹⁵⁶ because¹²²³ of the³⁵⁸⁸ present²¹⁸⁶ rain,⁵²⁰⁵ and²⁵³² because¹²²³ of the³⁵⁸⁸ cold.⁵⁵⁹²

Act 28:7 KJV+ ⁽¹¹⁶¹⁾ In¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ same quarters^{4012, 1565, 5117} were⁵²²⁵ possessions⁵⁵⁶⁴ of the³⁵⁸⁸ chief man⁴⁴¹³ of the³⁵⁸⁸ island,³⁵²⁰ whose name³⁶⁸⁶ was Publius;⁴¹⁹⁶ who³⁷³⁹ received³²⁴ us,²²⁴⁸ and lodged³⁵⁷⁹ us three⁵¹⁴⁰ days²²⁵⁰ courteously.⁵³⁹⁰

Act 28:7 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ parts about⁴⁰¹² that¹⁵⁶⁵ place, ⁵¹¹⁷ which were⁵²²⁵ lands⁵⁵⁶⁴ of the³⁵⁸⁸ chief⁴⁴¹³ of the³⁵⁸⁸ island, ³⁵²⁰ whose name³⁶⁸⁶ was Publius, ⁴¹⁹⁶ who,³⁷³⁹ upon receiving³²⁴ us²²⁴⁸ on Day Three of the week, ^5140,2250 courteously⁵³⁹⁰ made arrangements for our lodging.³⁵⁷⁹

Explanatory Note # 62

Who was Publius?

There are a number of men named Publius being referenced in ancient sources:

Tacitus mentions twenty men with that name: Publius Vitellius, Publius Quirinus, Publius Marcius, Publius Scipio, Publius Vellasus, Publius Petronius, Publius Rutilius, Publius Dolabella, Publius Suillius, Publius Clodius, Publius Atellius Hister, governor of Pannonia, Publius Ostorius, Publius Celer, Publius Anteius, Publius Suilius, Publius Marius, Publius Gallus, Publius Egnatius, Publius Cornelius, and Publius Ventidius, found in that order in his works, or as ordered alphabetically: Publius Anteius, Publius Atellius Hister, governor of Pannonia, Publius Celer, Publius Clodius, Publius Cornelius, Publius Dolabella, Publius Egnatius, Publius Gallus, Publius Marcius, Publius Marius, Publius Ostorius, Publius Petronius, Publius Quirinus, Publius Rutilius, Publius Scipio, Publius Suilius, Publius Suillius, Publius Vellasus, Publius Ventidius, and Publius Vitellius.

Among the Publius named by Tacitus, I find one that may possibly be the same one as the one referenced in Acts 28:7. He had been “banished to an island” by Emperor Tiberius upon a charge of bribery. His name is Publius Suillius. He was a “a venal creature of the emperor Claudius whose friendship he long used, with success, never for good.”

“In another case, that of Publius Suillius, formerly quaestor to Germanicus, who was to be expelled from Italy on a conviction of having received money for a judicial decision, he held that the man ought to be banished to an island, and so intensely strong was his feeling that he bound the Senate by an oath that this was a State necessity. The act was thought cruel at the moment, but subsequently it redounded to his honour when Suillius returned from exile. The next age saw him in tremendous power and a venal creature of the emperor Claudius whose friendship he long used, with success, never for good.” (The Annals by Cornelius Tacitus, BOOK IV:31)

The same man, as it appears, is mentioned again by Tacitus under the reign of Nero: “Publius Suilius. He had been terrible and venal, while Claudius reigned.” Under Nero this Publius “Suilius was banished to the Balearic isles,” which isles include e.g. Mallorca and which are located outside the east coast of Spain. This banishment occurred during the year when “Nero entered on his third consulship with Valerius Messala,” which is, according to the Roman consulship lists most commonly available, the same as Nero’s 3^rd or 4^th year of reign, or 42 CE per my current calculations.

34. Nero entered on his third consulship with Valerius Messala…

42. A man who had struggled with various calamities and earned the hate of many, was then impeached and condemned, but not without angry feelings towards Seneca. This was Publius Suilius. He had been terrible and venal, while Claudius reigned, and when times were changed, he was not so much humbled as his enemies wished, and was one who would rather seem a criminal than a suppliant. With the intent of crushing him, so men believed, a decree of the Senate was revived, along with the penalty of the Cincian law against persons who had pleaded for hire. Suilius spared not complaint or indignant remonstrance; free-spoken because of his extreme age as well as from his insolent temper, he taunted Seneca with his savage enmity against the friends of Claudius, under whose reign he had endured a most righteously deserved exile. "The man," he said, "familiar as he was only with profitless studies, and with the ignorance of boyhood, envied those who employed a lively and genuine eloquence in the defence of their fellow citizens. He had been Germanicus's quaestor, while Seneca had been a paramour in his house. Was it to be thought a worse offence to obtain a reward for honest service with the litigant's consent, than to pollute the chambers of the imperial ladies? By what kind of wisdom or maxims of philosophy had Seneca within four years of royal favour amassed three hundred million sesterces? At Rome the wills of the childless were, so to say, caught in his snare while Italy and the provinces were drained by a boundless usury. His own money, on the other hand, had been acquired by industry and was not excessive. He would suffer prosecutions, perils, anything indeed rather than make an old and self-earned position of honour to bow before an upstart prosperity."

43. Persons were not wanting to report all this to Seneca, in the exact words, or with a worse sense put on it. Accusers were also found who alleged that our allies had been plundered, when Suilius governed the province of Asia, and that there had been embezzlement of public monies. Then, as an entire year had been granted to them for inquiries, it seemed a shorter plan to begin with his crimes at Rome, the witnesses of which were on the spot. These men charged Suilius with having driven Quintus Pomponius by a relentless prosecution into the extremity of civil war, with having forced Julia, Drusus's daughter, and Sabina Poppaea to suicide, with having treacherously ruined Valerius Asiaticus, Lusius Saturninus and Cornelius Lupus, in fact, with the whole-sale conviction of troops of Roman knights, and with all the cruelty of Claudius. His defence was that of all this he had done nothing on his own responsibility but had simply obeyed the emperor, till Nero stopped such pleadings, by stating that he had ascertained from his father's notebooks that he had never compelled the prosecution of a single person.

Suilius then sheltered himself under Messalina's orders, and the defence began to collapse. "Why," it was asked, "was no one else chosen to put his tongue at the service of that savage harlot? We must punish the instruments of atrocious acts, when, having gained the rewards of wickedness, they impute the wickedness to others."

And so, with the loss of half his property, his son and grand-daughter being allowed to retain the other half, and what they had inherited under their mother's or grandmother's will being also exempted from confiscation, Suilius was banished to the Balearic isles. Neither in the crisis of his peril nor after his condemnation did he quail in spirit. Rumour said that he supported that lonely exile by a life of ease and plenty. When the accusers attacked his son Nerullinus on the strength of men's hatred of the father and of some charges of extortion, the emperor interposed, as if implying that vengeance was fully satisfied.

49. I should not mention a very trivial decree of the Senate which allowed the city of Syracuse to exceed the prescribed number in their gladiatorial shows, had not Paetus Thrasea spoken against it and furnished his traducers with a ground for censuring his motion.

(The Annals by Cornelius Tacitus, BOOK XIII:34, 42-43, 49)

Considering…

1. that the events referenced in Acts 28 took place in the winter of 44/45 CE, Nero’s 6^th year of reign, that is two to three years after Publius Suilius’ banishment by Nero, and

2. the familiarity this Publius Suilius must have acquired over the years of his life and his two banishments,

it seems not unlikely that this Publius Suilius is indeed the same Publius being referenced in Acts 28:7.

Explanatory Note # 63

Can Paul’s meeting with Publius at Melita be exactly pinpointed in time?

What is the significance in re to timing of the words in Acts 28:7: “…lodged³⁵⁷⁹ us three⁵¹⁴⁰ days²²⁵⁰ courteously.⁵³⁹⁰ ?”

Is it possible that the reference to “three days” is not the duration Paul was being lodged by Publius, but is the point in time when “Publius; who received us, and lodged us,” made arrangements for lodging Paul and all the other men who had been shipwrecked, and for the duration of their stay at the island of Melita?

In effect is it possible that the reference to “three days” means simply the Third Day? If so then which Third Day is being referenced? Consider that a shipwrecking event is not an every day occurrence! Consider how much of an excitement and interest such an event is likely to stir up among the small population of a small island like Melita/Malta, which island is no more than 15 miles (25 km) across! Certainly the word of the shipwreck would spread like wildfire and very many would run to watch the event for themselves, wouldn’t you? Certainly Publius, the proprietor of the land in that area and “the chief man of the island” would not likely fail to be there either, would he? Would there likely be a delay for even a day before Publius being there along with all the others? Not likely!

Accordingly, Acts 28:7 is more appropriately rendered as per TLT+ above.

More importantly, perhaps, is that, by giving, in effect, a concurrent reference to the day of the week and to the day of the lunar month, Luke is here providing for us another confirmation of this date in terms of an astronomical time frame.

Accordingly these confirmatory events occurred on “Day Three of the week” (Acts 28:7,) “the Fourteenth Day” (Acts 27:27, 33) of Bul/Heshvan, 44 CE [November 24, 44 CE.] Cf. Paul's itinerary below!

Act 28:8 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ it came to pass,¹⁰⁹⁶ that the³⁵⁸⁸ father³⁹⁶² of Publius⁴¹⁹⁶ lay²⁶²¹ sick⁴⁹¹² of a fever⁴⁴⁴⁶ and²⁵³² of a bloody flux:¹⁴²⁰ to⁴³¹⁴ whom³⁷³⁹ Paul³⁹⁷² entered in,¹⁵²⁵ and²⁵³² prayed,⁴³³⁶ and laid²⁰⁰⁷ his hands⁵⁴⁹⁵ on him,⁸⁴⁶ and healed²³⁹⁰ him.⁸⁴⁶

Act 28:9 KJV+ So³⁷⁶⁷ when this⁵¹²⁷ was done,¹⁰⁹⁶ others³⁰⁶² also,²⁵³² which had²¹⁹² diseases⁷⁶⁹ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ island,³⁵²⁰ came,⁴³³⁴ and²⁵³² were healed:²³²³

Act 28:10 KJV+ Who³⁷³⁹ also²⁵³² honored⁵⁰⁹² us²²⁴⁸ with many⁴¹⁸³ honors;⁵⁰⁹¹ and²⁵³² when we departed,³²¹ they laded²⁰⁰⁷ us with such things as were necessary.^{4314, 5532}

Act 28:11 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ after³³²⁶ three⁵¹⁴⁰ months³³⁷⁶ we departed³²¹ in¹⁷²² a ship⁴¹⁴³ of Alexandria,²²² which had wintered³⁹¹⁴ in¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ isle,³⁵²⁰ whose sign³⁹⁰² was Castor and Pollux.¹³⁵⁹

Act 28:11 GNT+ μετα^{3326 PREP} δε^{1161 CONJ} τρεις^{5140 A-APM} μηνας^{3376 N-APM} ηχθημεν^{71 V-API-1P} εν^{1722 PREP} πλοιω^{4143 N-DSN} παρακεχειμακοτι^{3914 V-RAP-DSM} εν^{1722 PREP} τη^{3588 T-DSF} νησω^{3520 N-DSF} αλεξανδρινω^{222 A-DSN} παρασημω^{3902 N-DSN} διοσκουροις^{1359 N-DPM}

Explanatory Note # 64

What exactly is being meant by “after three months?”

The Greek word “μηνας^{3376 N-APM}” is here written in acc. pl. format. Per New Testament Greek by Eric G. Jay “Greek expresses time by placing the noun of time in the appropriate case, the accusative for extent of time, the genitive for time within which (though the genitive has other temporal uses as well) and the dative for point of time.” Accordingly, the usage within this text should be referencing “extent of time.” However, considering the context, I cannot exclude the possibility that the numbered month of the annual calendar is here being referenced.

If I attempt to apply this time reference purely as duration of time while using contemporaneous Jewish manners in referencing time, I would add three months on top of Bul/Heshvan, the Eighth lunar Month of the Year, thus arriving at the beginning of Adar 1, the Twelfth Moon, 45 CE [|Tu March 9 (or We 10,) 45 CE.]

If, on the other hand, I apply this time reference “μετα³³²⁶ δε¹¹⁶¹ τρεις⁵¹⁴⁰ μηνας³³⁷⁶” (lit. “and after month(s) three,” as generally referenced using a biblical / Hebrew calendar, I arrive at the beginning of Tammuz 1, the Fourth lunar Month of the Year 45 CE [Mo July 5 or possibly June (Sa 5 or) Su 6, 45 CE.] This being already the mid, or at least the early, part of the summer it may appear somewhat out of place with the reference to the “ship… which had wintered…” found in verse 11. However, the ship may have been requiring repairs that were not finished before that time of the year and shipping otherwise may not have been very frequently available from this small island. Thus, this option is certainly not inconceivable, is it? So which of these two options, if any, is more likely being referenced by the author?

[My final answer, found under Acts 28:13 below, is in favor of the latter option, i.e. Month Three of the year, but prior to arriving at that final answer please consider…]

More below at:

Explanatory Note # 65…

Cf. Paul's itinerary below!

Act 28:12 KJV+ And²⁵³² landing²⁶⁰⁹ at¹⁵¹⁹ Syracuse,⁴⁹⁴⁶ we tarried¹⁹⁶¹ there three⁵¹⁴⁰ days.²²⁵⁰

Act 28:12 GNT+ και^{2532 CONJ} καταχθεντες^{2609 V-APP-NPM} εις^{1519 PREP} συρακουσας^{4946 N-APF} επεμειναμεν^{1961 V-AAI-1P} ημερας^{2250 N-APF} τρεις^{5140 A-APF}

Act 28:12 TLT+ And²⁵³² mooring²⁶⁰⁹ at¹⁵¹⁹ Syracuse,⁴⁹⁴⁶ we tarried¹⁹⁶¹ through the completion of the first Three Days of the week.^5140,2250

Explanatory Note # 65

Will this reference to ”three days” possibly contribute towards further understanding the reference to ”three months” referenced in verse 11 above?

The Greek words in this 12th verse are ”ημερας^{2250 N-APF} τρεις^{5140 A-APF} .” This is acc. pl. format (although the word “”ημερας²²⁵⁰” taken by itself may also be gen. sing. format.) I have found that in New Testament Greek this usage may at least sometimes be understood in terms of an event “within the first three days of the week,” i.e. a usage similar to the common English expression “being within the top 1/3 of the class” which, albeit technically possible, is not intended to imply also “being within the top ¼ of the class.” If applied in this instance I would take this passage to mean that the ship stopped at Syracuse, leaving from there after the Third Day of the week, but without saying anything about when it arrived there, perhaps on the Third Day, perhaps earlier. Because Syracuse is not far from Melita, only about 100 miles (150 km,) and since this distance can easily be covered within one day of sailing (cf. Explanatory Note # 66) under favorable winds and circumstances, any of the above options (cf. Explanatory Note # 64) seems quite possible. However, Tuesday March 9 and Monday July 5 may seem more attractive solutions to me than the other less likely options.

More below at: Explanatory Note # 66…

Cf. Paul's itinerary below!

Act 28:13 KJV+ And from thence³⁶⁰⁶ we fetched a compass,⁴⁰²² and came²⁶⁵⁸ to¹⁵¹⁹ Rhegium:⁴⁴⁸⁴ and²⁵³² after³³²⁶ one³³⁹¹ day²²⁵⁰ the south wind³⁵⁵⁸ blew,¹⁹²⁰ and we came²⁰⁶⁴ the next day¹²⁰⁶ to¹⁵¹⁹ Puteoli:⁴²²³

Act 28:13 TLT+ And from thence³⁶⁰⁶ in a round about way⁴⁰²² arriving²⁶⁵⁸ into¹⁵¹⁹ Rhegium:⁴⁴⁸⁴ and²⁵³² after³³²⁶ Day One of the week^2250,3391 the south wind³⁵⁵⁸ blew,¹⁹²⁰ and we came²⁰⁶⁴ on the Second Day of the week¹²⁰⁶ to¹⁵¹⁹ Puteoli:⁴²²³

Explanatory Note # 66

Verse 13 is clearly using two references in time to the days of the week, i.e. to the First and Second day of the week, respectively. This is a clear indication that sailing from Syracuse to Rhegium (a distance of less than 100 miles (150 km)) took several days, probably from the beginning of the Fourth Day [Tuesday night] through most of the remainder of the week. Evidently the winds were not very favorable. In contrast we find that the much longer (2½ x) distance from Rhegium to Puteoli (perhaps 250 miles (400 km)) was accomplished from one day to the next, i.e. from the First Day to the Second Day of the week.

Notice that the direction of travel was essentially the same and that accordingly there was a considerable change in weather conditions. Perhaps this is going to prove helpful towards resolving the above issue as to the meaning of the “three months” in verse 12 above? Pliny the Elder in his The Natural History has written considerably about many particulars re nature, specifically in re to the dates associated with particular winds:

“After the eighth day before the Calends of March⁴ , Favonius is called by some Chelidonias⁵ , from the swallows making their appearance. The wind, which blows for the space of nine days, from the seventy-first day after the winter solstice⁶ , is sometimes called Ornithias, from the arrival of the birds⁷ . In the contrary direction to Favonius is the wind which we name Subsolanus, and [p. 1076] this is connected with the rising of the Vergiliæ, in the 25th degree of Taurus, six days before the Ides of May⁸ , which is the time when south winds prevail: these are opposite to Septemtrio. The dog-star rises in the hottest time of the summer, when the sun is entering the first degree of Leo⁹ ; this is fifteen days before the Calends of August. The north winds, which are called Prodromi¹⁰ , precede its rising by about eight days. But in two days after its rising, the same north winds, which are named Etesiæ¹¹ , blow more constantly during this period; the vapour from the sun, being increased twofold by the heat of this star, is supposed to render these winds more mild; nor are there any which are more regular. After these the south winds become more frequent, until the appearance of Arcturus¹² , which rises eleven days before the autumnal equinox.” [Pliny the Elder, The Natural History (eds. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A.,) BOOK II: CHAP. 47.--THE PERIODS OF THE WINDS.]

⁴ corresponding to the 22nd of February.

⁵ a chelidôn, hirundo.

⁶ This will be either on March 2nd or on February 26th, according as we reckon from December the 21st, the real solstitial day, or the 17th, when, according to the Roman calendar, the sun is said to enter Capricorn.

⁷ "quasi Avicularem dixeris." Hardouin, in Lemaire, i. 334.

⁸ Corresponding to the 10th of May.

⁹ According to the Roman calendar, this corresponds to the 20th July, but, according to the text, to the 17th. Columella says, that the sun enters Leo on the 13th of the Calends of August; xi. 2. [Per Starry Night Backyard software the sun enters Leo on July 16 (settings for Rome in July, 45 CE.)]

¹⁰ "quasi præcursores;" Hardouin, in Lemaire, i. 335. Cicero refers to these winds in one of his letters to Atticus; xiv. 6.

¹¹ etêsiai, ab etos, annus.

¹² This will be on the 13th of September, as, according to our author, xviii. 24, the equinox is on the 24th.

N. Septemtrio.	S. Notos or Auster.
N.N.E. Boreas or Aquilo.	S.S.W. Libonotos.
E.N.E. Cæcias.	W.S.W. Libs or Africus.
E. Apeliotes or Subsolanus.	W. Zephyrus or Favonius.
E.S.E. Eurus or Vulturnus.	W.N.W. Argestes or Corus.
S.S.E. Euronotus or Phœnices.	N.N.W. Thrascias.

[Pliny the Elder, The Natural History (eds. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A.,) BOOK II: CHAP. 46. (47.)--THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF WINDS.]

From the above quotes I understand Pliny the Elder as saying:

1. That in the middle of the summer, between July 10 (or 12; cf. footnote #9 above) and through July 19 (or 22) there exists a northerly wind, “Prodromi.” Following the Prodromi “the same north winds… are named Etesiæ…,” which winds “blow more constantly … nor are there any which are more regular. After these [Prodromi and Etesiæ] the south winds [again] become more frequent, until the appearance of Arcturus¹² [September 13; cf. footnote 12 above,] which rises eleven days before the autumnal equinox [September 24.]”

Clearly before, and apparently also to a degree in the beginning and end of, these northerly winds between July 10 and September 13, Pliny describes southerly winds. He is using the words “which is the time when south winds prevail” for describing the winds prior to July 10, and the words “After these the south winds become more frequent” for describing the winds closer to, but still prior to, September 13. After September 13 comes the “Corus,” the W.N.W., which apparently are similar to the winds of early spring:

2. In the spring from about February 26 through March 6 there is a westerly wind (cf. footnote #6 above.)

3. The period between about March 6 and until May 10 is associated with an easterly wind preceding the southerly winds described in 1. above (cf. footnotes #6 & #8 above.)

I have no way of telling how reliable the above patterns of winds are, nor how much they were relied upon by the sailors navigating in the Mediterranean. However, Pliny’s description is at least a hint that the southerly winds described in Acts 28:13 points to a date after May 8. If that is correct then I would lean towards resolving my original question - as to the meaning of the Greek words corresponding to “three months,” as translated in KJV – in favor of a more correct, and indeed linguistically more likely, “Month Three of the year.” (Cf. Explanatory Note # 64.)

Accordingly, I conclude that Paul most likely left the island Melita the Second Day of the week, Tammuz 1 (the 4^th lunar Month,) 45 CE [Sunday night July 4 or Monday July 5, 45 CE.] After mooring briefly in Syracuse the ship then left Syracuse on the Fourth Day of the week, Tammuz 3, 45 CE. After some circumnavigation, or tacking while sailing to windward, the ship reached Rhegium in time to depart from there after the end of Day One of the week [Sunday night, July 11, 45 CE.] Puteoli was reached on the Second Day of the week, Tammuz 8, 45 CE [Monday July 12, 45 CE.]

Does this last date, July 12, and the southerly wind referenced in Acts 28:13, contradict Pliny’s reference to July 11 as the day when the northerly winds begin? How exact are the winds referenced by Pliny the Elder? They are not as constant as later, are they?! Consider also the editor’s footnote (cf. below; re these northerly winds) found attached to a letter by Pliny the Younger (from the 6^th year of Emperor Trajan:)

“Note 2. A north wind in the Grecian seas, which rises yearly sometime in July, and continues to the end of August; though others extend it to the middle of September. They blow only in the daytime. Varenius’ Geogr. v. i. p. 513. M.” (Pliny the Younger, “XIV. To the Emperor Trajan,” “Note 2.”)

Notice the statement “A north wind… in July… blow only in the daytime!” If true also for the time and the places referenced in Acts 28:13-17, then there may have been no problem using southerly winds during the nights, would there?

Accordingly we now have the following:

Itinerary for Paul’s journey from Caesarea to Rome:

Departure out of	Arrival unto	Biblical date	Julian date	Reference
Caesarea	Sidon	Ethanim/Tishri 22, 44 CE	November 2, 44 CE	Acts 27:1-3
Sidon		Ethanim/Tishri 22, 44 CE	November 2, 44 CE	Acts 27:3
Fair Havens	Euroclydon	Bul/Heshvan 1, 44 CE	November 11, 44 CE	Acts 27:8, 14, (27)
	Melita	3^rd Day, Bul 14, 44 CE	November 24, 44 CE	Acts 27:27, 33; 28:1, 7
Melita		2^nd Day, Tammuz 1, 45 CE	Sunday night July 4, or Monday July 5, 45 CE	Acts 28:11
Syracuse		4^th Day, Tammuz 3, 45 CE	Tuesday night, July 6, 45 CE	Acts 28:12
Rhegium		2^nd Day, Tammuz 8, 45 CE	Sunday night, July 11, 45 CE	Acts 28:13
	Puteoli	2^nd Day, Tammuz 8, 45 CE	Monday, July 12, 45 CE	Acts 28:13
Puteoli		1^st Day, Tammuz 14, 45 CE	Sunday, July 18, 45 CE	Acts 28:14
	Rome	3^rd Day, Tammuz 16, 45 CE	Monday night, July 19, or Tuesday, July 20, 45 CE	Acts 28:17
Rome		Tishri 1, 45 CE	October 1, 45 CE	Acts 28:30

Act 28:14 KJV+ Where³⁷⁵⁷ we found²¹⁴⁷ brethren,⁸⁰ and were desired³⁸⁷⁰ to tarry¹⁹⁶¹ with¹⁹⁰⁹ them⁸⁴⁶ seven²⁰³³ days:²²⁵⁰ and²⁵³² so³⁷⁷⁹ we went²⁰⁶⁴ toward¹⁵¹⁹ Rome.⁴⁵¹⁶

Act 28:14 GNT+ ου^{3757 ADV} ευροντες^{2147 V-2AAP-NPM} αδελφους^{80 N-APM} παρεκληθημεν^{3870 V-API-1P} επ^{1909 PREP} αυτοις^{846 P-DPM} επιμειναι^{1961 V-AAN} ημερας^{2250 N-APF} επτα^{2033 A-NUI} και^{2532 CONJ} ουτως^{3779 ADV} εις^{1519 PREP} την^{3588 T-ASF} ρωμην^{4516 N-ASF} ηλθομεν^{2064 V-2AAI-1P}

Act 28:14 TLT+ Where³⁷⁵⁷ we found²¹⁴⁷ brethren,⁸⁰ and were desired³⁸⁷⁰ to tarry¹⁹⁶¹ with¹⁹⁰⁹ them⁸⁴⁶ Day²²⁵⁰ Seven²⁰³³ and²⁵³² after that³⁷⁷⁹ we went²⁰⁶⁴ toward¹⁵¹⁹ Rome.⁴⁵¹⁶

Explanatory Note # 67

The grammatical format of the Greek words translated ”seven days” is gen. sing. OR acc. pl.. I see no basis for interpreting this to reference a randomly applied seven day duration, but it is very natural for the Sabbath keepers to look forwards to being together on the Seventh Day Shabbat. Accordingly, the gen. sing. format referencing “time within which” an event occurs is preferred, and the text translated as in the TLT version above.

Act 28:15 KJV+ And from thence,²⁵⁴⁷ when the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ heard¹⁹¹ of⁴⁰¹² us,²²⁵⁷ they came¹⁸³¹ to¹⁵¹⁹ meet⁵²⁹ us²²⁵⁴ as far as⁸⁹¹ Appii⁶⁷⁵ Forum,⁵⁴¹⁰ and²⁵³² The Three⁵¹⁴⁰ Taverns:⁴⁹⁹⁹ whom³⁷³⁹ when Paul³⁹⁷² saw,¹⁴⁹² he thanked²¹⁶⁸ God,²³¹⁶ and took²⁹⁸³ courage.²²⁹⁴

Act 28:16 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ when³⁷⁵³ we came²⁰⁶⁴ to¹⁵¹⁹ Rome,⁴⁵¹⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ centurion¹⁵⁴³ delivered³⁸⁶⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ prisoners¹¹⁹⁸ to the³⁵⁸⁸ captain of the guard:⁴⁷⁵⁹ but¹¹⁶¹ Paul³⁹⁷² was suffered²⁰¹⁰ to dwell³³⁰⁶ by²⁵⁹⁶ himself¹⁴³⁸ with⁴⁸⁶² a soldier⁴⁷⁵⁷ that kept⁵⁴⁴² him.⁸⁴⁶

Act 28:17 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ it came to pass,¹⁰⁹⁶ that after³³²⁶ three⁵¹⁴⁰ days²²⁵⁰ Paul³⁹⁷² called the chief of the Jews together:^{4779, 3588, 5607, 4413, 3588, 2453}

Act 28:17 GNT+ εγενετο^{1096 V-2ADI-3S} δε^{1161 CONJ} μετα^{3326 PREP} ημερας^{2250 N-APF} τρεις^{5140 A-APF} συγκαλεσασθαι^{4779 V-AMN} τον^{3588 T-ASM} παυλον^{3972 N-ASM} τους^{3588 T-APM} οντας^{5607 V-PXP-APM} των^{3588 T-GPM} ιουδαιων^{2453 A-GPM} πρωτους^{4413 A-APM} συνελθοντων^{4905 V-2AAP-GPM}

Act 28:17 TLT+ And,¹¹⁶¹ beginning¹⁰⁹⁶ after³³²⁶ Day²²⁵⁰ Three,⁵¹⁴⁰ Paul³⁹⁷² called for a meeting⁴⁷⁷⁹ of those³⁵⁸⁸ being⁵⁶⁰⁷ the most influential⁴⁴¹³ among the³⁵⁸⁸ Jews²⁴⁵³…

Explanatory Note # 68

“…after Day Three…,” or as KJV has it “after [the first] three days [of the week,]” is a clear reference in time requiring an established reference frame before it can possibly make any reasonable sense. I for one do not believe that the Holy Scriptures are using vain and meaningless babblings, and especially not in regards to time. In these last eleven verses we have found seven distinct time references. With the Lord’s guidance I’ve been able to deduce what appears to be the exact dates in terms of a calendar familiar to us today.

This verse, the 17^th, makes it quite clear that Paul had arrived in Rome by the end of the Third Day of the week, does it not? Well, some may argue that KJV is correctly translated and is giving reference to the third day after Paul’s arrival in Rome. If that is true then the passage can only be meaningful if we know the date of Paul’s arrival in Rome, but that is not given in verse 16 or elsewhere, is it? I.e. unless this is in fact given in verse 17 by these very words, “after Day Three,” is that not so?

Or else someone may argue that this is the third day after Paul’s arrival in Puteoli. Is this a possible option? Considering the distance between Puteoli [close to Naples] and Rome, a distance of about 150 miles (240 km,) is it possible that this distance could have been traveled by foot by a company consisting of prisoners and their guards/soldiers, some 276 individuals, within “three days?” Could this party possibly have been able to travel some 50 miles (80 km) per day for three days straight? Based upon what I have learnt about Paul’s physique, I would tend to say that “Yes, for Paul this would be possible if he did it alone” (cf. Explanatory Note # 25,) but I do not have any basis at all for believing that the company with which Paul was traveling could even possibly have done so.

I do not find any basis within this text passage indicating that the beginning of the “three days” would be either the traveling party’s arrival at, or the departure from Appii Forum (about 40 miles [70 km] southeast of Rome [cf. SDA Bible Commentary, vol.8, p. 372]) or The Three Taverns (about 30 miles [55 km] southeast of Rome [cf. SDA Bible Commentary, vol.8, p. 1092.]) This distance is otherwise not too far for a group such as this to travel within three days, is it?

But what are the grounds for presuming, as some scholars seem to have presumed, that this entire distance, or even any part of it, was traveled by foot? Again, remember who Paul was traveling with! Soldiers and mostly prisoners, some 276 of them altogether (cf. Acts 27:37)! It would certainly make little sense to assume without more that the one in charge of this group would choose to travel such a distance by foot under such circumstances, would it? Looking at the map [below; cf. SDA Bible Commentary, vol.8, Map XX:A1] both Appii Forum and The Three Taverns appears located not very far from the coast line, and what is more likely than that the ship carrying the travelers were stopping by these places on its way to Rome?

Traveling the 150 miles (240 km) distance from Puteoli to Rome on foot would have taken, as far as I understand, a minimum of five days even for a very well trained army, what about a group of prisoners such as this? Why not travel by ship, unless the winds were contrary? And didn’t they have the option of rowing the ships using slaves even if the winds were not favorable? I contend that most likely the time reference within verse 17, “Day Three,” or else “three days,” is referencing the Third Day of the week following immediately upon that week which is being referenced in verses 13 and 14, i.e. the verses containing Greek words that may be translated, as in TLT+: “Day One,” “Day Two,” and “Day Seven.”

Conclusion:

I find that, more likely than not, Paul arrived in Rome on Day Three of the week, Tammuz 16, 45 CE [Monday night, July 19, or Tuesday, July 20, 45 CE.] Cf. Paul's itinerary above!

Act 28:30 KJV+ And¹¹⁶¹ Paul³⁹⁷² dwelt³³⁰⁶ two whole years^{1333, 3650} in¹⁷²² his own²³⁹⁸ hired house,³⁴¹⁰ and²⁵³² received⁵⁸⁸ all³⁹⁵⁶ that came in¹⁵³¹ unto⁴³¹⁴ him,⁸⁴⁶

Act 28:30 GNT+ εμεινεν^{3306 V-AAI-3S} δε^{1161 CONJ} ο^{3588 T-NSM} παυλος^{3972 N-NSM} διετιαν^{1333 N-ASF} ολην^{3650 A-ASF} εν^{1722 PREP} ιδιω^{2398 A-DSM} μισθωματι^{3410 N-DSN} και^{2532 CONJ} απεδεχετο^{588 V-INI-3S} παντας^{3956 A-APM} τους^{3588 T-APM} εισπορευομενους^{1531 V-PNP-APM} προς^{4314 PREP} αυτον^{846 P-ASM}

Acts 28:30 TLT+ And¹¹⁶¹ Paul³⁹⁷² dwelt³³⁰⁶ for the remainder of that civil year¹³³³ [until the beginning of Tishri 1, 45 CE] wholly³⁶⁵⁰ in¹⁷²² his own²³⁹⁸ hired house,³⁴¹⁰ and²⁵³² received⁵⁸⁸ all³⁹⁵⁶ that came in¹⁵³¹ unto⁴³¹⁴ him⁸⁴⁶;

Explanatory Note # 69

Re “for the remainder of that civil year¹³³³:”

The Greek word “διετια,¹³³³” here used for the second and last time in the New Testament, is translated in KJV as “two years” (cf. Acts 24:27 and Acts 28:30.) Upon careful analysis and consideration I have found that this Greek word is more correctly translated as in TLT+ above, “for the remainder of that civil year.” Cf. Explanatory Note # 43 for further considerations and links.

Considering the events recorded in Acts chapters 27 and 28 I find that Paul was shipped from Caesarea in the late fall 44 CE and that the ship was wrecked against an island where Paul and his fellow travelers were stranded until spring of that civil year. Thus, Paul did not arrive in Rome until the spring or summer of 45 CE (cf. Paul's itinerary above!) Following Paul’s arrival in Rome we learn from Acts 28:30 that Paul “dwelt for the remainder of that civil year in his own hired house.” This brings us to the beginning of Tishri 1, 45 CE, which year is also the beginning of Nero’s 7^th year of reign.

This gives Paul time to leave Rome before the first comet appearing during Nero’s reign, and thus also before the bloodshed of aristocrats in Rome that followed upon that comet sighting. Nero’s persecutions of Christians did not begin until after the burning of Rome some three years later in 48 CE. Apparently the first of two comets recorded as seen in Rome during the reign of Nero was seen in 46 CE. In those days comets and eclipses were considered serious omens touching upon the reigns of the current regent:

“A brilliant comet now appeared.” “The general belief is that a comet means a change of emperor. So people speculated on Nero’s successor as though Nero were already dethroned.” Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, Penguin Books, p. 324. Cf. Tacitus, The Annals, Volume 14, Loeb Classical Library, 14.22, and Tacitus, Cornelius, The Annals, Book XIV:22.

“omens of impending misfortune.” Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, Penguin Books, p. 367. See also: Tacitus, The Annals, Volume 5, Loeb Classical Library, 15.47. Cf. Tacitus, Cornelius, The Annals, Book XV:47.

Then there was the burning of Rome, perhaps in 48 or 49 CE?:

“A disaster followed, whether accidental a or treacherously contrived by the emperor, is uncertain, as authors have given both accounts, worse, however, and more dreadful than any which have ever happened to this city by the violence of fire… At last, after five days, an end was put to the conflagration at the foot of the Esquiline hill, by the destruction of all buildings on a vast space, so that the violence of the fire was met by clear ground and an open sky. But before people had laid aside their fears, the flames returned, with no less fury this second time, and especially in the spacious districts of the city… Some persons observed that the beginning of this conflagration was on the 19 th of July” Tacitus, Cornelius, The Annals, Book XV:38, 40, 41, cf. Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, p. 367; Tacitus, The Annals, Loeb Classical Library, 15.47.

“At the close of the year [of the burning of Rome/ed.] people talked much about prodigies, presaging impending evils. Never were lightning flashes more frequent, and a comet too appeared, for which Nero always made propitiation with noble blood.” Tacitus, Cornelius, The Annals, Book XV:47, cf. Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, p. 367; Tacitus, The Annals, Loeb Classical Library, 15.47.

“Nero showed no greater mercy to the common folk, or to the very walls of Rome. Once, in the course of a general conversation, someone quoted the line:

When I am dead, may fire consume the earth,

But Nero said that the first part of the line should read: ‘While I yet live,’ and soon converted this fancy into fact. Pretending to be disgusted by the drab old buildings and narrow, winding streets of Rome, he brazenly set fire to the City; and though a group of ex-consuls caught his attendants, armed with oakum and blazing torches, trespassing on their property, they dared not interfere. He also coveted the sites of several granaries, solidly built in stone, near the Golden House; having knocked down their walls with siege engines, he set the interiors ablaze. This terror lasted for six days and seven nights, causing many people to take shelter in the tombs. Nero’s men destroyed not only a vast number of tenements, but mansions which had belonged to famous generals and were still decorated with their triumphal trophies; temples, too, dating back to the time of the kingship, and others dedicated during the Punic and Gallic wars – in fact, every ancient monument of historical interest that had hitherto survived. Nero watched the conflagration from the Tower of Maecenas, enraptured by what he called ‘the beauty of the flames’; then put on his tragedian’s costume and sang The Fall of Ilium from beginning to end. He offered to remove corpses and rubble free of charge, but allowed nobody to search among the ruins even of his own mansion; he wanted to collect as much loot as possible himself. Then he opened a Fire Relief Fund and insisted on contributions, which bled the provincials white and practically beggared all private citizens.” Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, (translated by Robert Graves,) p. 231-2. Cf. Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars, Loeb Classical Library, 6.36.

“Tacitus tells us that the fire that destroyed Rome began on July 19, yet he does not make any association between the comet and the fire. …Tacitus notes that the second comet was seen near the end of the year and was interpreted as a bad omen for events occurring after the burning of Rome. Furthermore, Tacitus states that Nero killed members of the aristocracy to atone for this comet sighting.” Conte, Ronald L., Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary, p. 204-5, with footnotes to: Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, p. 367; Tacitus, The Annals, Loeb Classical Library, 15.47.

There were massacres by Nero upon the aristocracy:

“Tacitus tells us that this comet was “atoned for by Nero, as usual, by aristocratic blood….” Conte, Ronald L., Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary, p. 204-5, with footnotes to: Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, p. 367; Tacitus, The Annals, Loeb Classical Library, 15.47. Cf. quote from Tacitus above!

Conclusion:

I find that the paucity of references in the New Testament to any of the above referenced conflagrations in Rome is consistent with, and confirmation of, Paul being released from his detainment as a prisoner sometime around Tishri 1, 45 CE.

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[1] Aka. the Pleiades. Cf.:

“…the morning rising of the Vergiliae (Pleiades, 10 May)… III idus Nov (11 Nov) Vergiliae sets” http://www.

ancientsites.com/aw/Article/328920

;

“Lat., Vergiliae, the centre, Arab., vertex, Lat., Vergiliae, of the revolving, rolled… Gen 29:10… Hebr. root גל” [cf. Strong’s H1556-1561] (http://philologos.org/__eb-mazzaroth/203.htm;)

“the Pleiades became the ancestresses of divine or heroic families. They were called Vergiliae (probably connected with veT, spring) by the Romans” (http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/P/PL/PLEIADES.htm;) and

“Our writers call these stars Vergiliae, because they rise after spring. They have still greater honour than the others, too, because their rising is a sign of summer, their setting of winter - a thing is not true of the other constellations." - Hyginus, Astronomica 2.21” (http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NymphaiPleiades.html.)

[2] The corresponding footnote adds: ” ¹³ This corresponds to the 11th of November... ” Cf. “…the morning rising of the Vergiliae (Pleiades, 10 May)… III idus Nov (11 Nov) Vergiliae sets” http://www.ancientsites.com/aw/Article/328920.

[3] ”W.S.W. Libs or Africus… ai\y, Africus...;” its opposite is E.N.E., and ” S.S.W. Libonotos.... aibo/notoj, Austroafricus....;” its opposite is “N.N.E. Boreas or Aquilo.” “…The winds that bring snow are Aquilo.” Accordingly I find that the “winter north wind” (cf. (Pliny the Elder, The Natural History (eds. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A.,) Chapters 46, 47, and 48.)