Acts continues · the third journey
From Ephesus
to Jerusalem’s door
Follow Apollos, Paul’s long Ephesian ministry, the uproar over Artemis, the return through Macedonia and Troas, and the farewell at Miletus.
01
Before Paul returns to Ephesus
Apollos is taught the way of God more perfectly
After the second journey · stated only as “some time”Paul remains at Antioch for an unstated period and then strengthens Galatia and Phrygia. Meanwhile, Acts introduces Apollos and preserves the work of Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus.
Antioch
Paul departs after spending some time there
Acts 18:22–23
King James Version“And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.The route is stated, but “some time” cannot be converted into an exact number of months.
Placement under reviewEphesus
Apollos teaches diligently what he knows
Acts 18:24–25
King James Version“And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus… and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Acts describes both his strength in Scripture and the limit of his present understanding.
The synagogue
Aquila and Priscilla instruct Apollos
Acts 18:26–28
King James Version“Whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Apollos then goes to Achaia and mightily convinces the Jews by the Scriptures that Jesus is Christ.
02
Paul’s long Ephesian ministry
All they which dwelt in Asia hear the word
Working placement: CY 3975–3978 · about AD 53–56 · boundaries under reviewActs supplies three months in the synagogue and two years in the school of Tyrannus. Paul later describes the whole Ephesian labor as “by the space of three years,” so the notices are shown together without pretending they began on a known month.
Paul reaches Ephesus
About twelve disciples receive fuller instruction
Acts 19:1–7
King James Version“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus… and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Paul finds them acquainted only with John’s baptism and directs them to Jesus.
Three months
Paul reasons in the synagogue
Acts 19:8–9
King James Version“And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.When some speak evil of that way, Paul separates the disciples.
Two years
Paul teaches daily in the school of Tyrannus
Acts 19:9–10
King James Version“Disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.This is the longest precisely stated teaching interval within the Ephesian account.
During the Ephesian work
God works special miracles by Paul
Acts 19:11–12
King James Version“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Acts distinguishes God as the worker and Paul’s hands as the instrument.
The name of Jesus magnified
The sons of Sceva flee wounded
Acts 19:13–17
King James Version“Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them… so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Fear falls on Jews and Greeks at Ephesus, and the name of the Lord Jesus is magnified.
Public renunciation
Books of curious arts are burned
Acts 19:18–20
King James Version“Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men… So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Acts values the books at fifty thousand pieces of silver without converting the amount into a modern currency.
03
The Ephesian uproar
The gospel strikes the trade surrounding Artemis
Near the close of Paul’s Ephesian stay · exact month not statedDemetrius openly connects the preaching against handmade gods with danger to the silversmiths’ income and the magnificence of Artemis. UNESCO’s archaeological description confirms the importance of the temple and Great Theatre to Roman Ephesus; it is supporting context, not a substitute for Acts.
Paul’s purpose
Jerusalem and Rome come into view
Acts 19:21–22
King James Version“After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Paul purposes in the spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia, go to Jerusalem, and afterward see Rome.
No small stir
Demetrius gathers the craftsmen
Acts 19:23–27
King James Version“This Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Demetrius argues that both their craft and the temple of the great goddess Diana are in danger.
The theatre
The city is filled with confusion
Acts 19:28–34
King James Version“Great is Diana of the Ephesians… And the whole city was filled with confusion.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.The crowd rushes with one accord into the theatre, taking Gaius and Aristarchus.
The townclerk answers
The assembly is dismissed
Acts 19:35–41
King James Version“For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar… And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.The townclerk directs lawful complaints toward the courts and warns the crowd against an indefensible riot.
04
Macedonia, Greece, and Troas
Paul retraces the churches and turns homeward
Working placement: about AD 56–57 · CY 3978–3979After the uproar, Paul travels through Macedonia and spends three months in Greece. A plot changes the return route, while Acts supplies unusually clear feast, travel, and day-count markers on the road to Troas.
Macedonia
Paul gives the disciples much exhortation
Acts 20:1–2
King James Version“And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Acts preserves the movement without listing every city revisited.
Three months
A plot changes Paul’s return route
Acts 20:3–4
King James Version“And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.The three-month duration is exact; its opening and closing civil dates are not.
After unleavened bread
Five travel days bring the company to Troas
Acts 20:5–6
King James Version“And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.This passage supplies a feast marker, five travel days, and a seven-day stay.
The first day of the week
Paul continues his speech until midnight
Acts 20:7
King James Version“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them… and continued his speech until midnight.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Paul is ready to depart on the morrow.
Troas
Eutychus is restored alive
Acts 20:9–12
King James Version“And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.The disciples bring the young man alive and are not a little comforted.
05
Miletus and the road to Jerusalem
Paul takes leave of the Ephesian elders
Journey’s close · stated intervals retainedPaul avoids a further stop at Ephesus because he hastens toward Jerusalem, then calls the Ephesian elders to Miletus. His farewell explains the length and character of his ministry before the company continues through Tyre and Caesarea.
Miletus
Paul calls for the elders of Ephesus
Acts 20:16–18
King James Version“For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus… And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Paul hastens, if possible, to be at Jerusalem for Pentecost.
Paul’s own summary
Three years of warning are remembered
Acts 20:28–31
King James Version“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.This describes the whole Ephesian labor and should not be added mechanically to the three months and two years as a separate interval.
The farewell
The elders sorrow at Paul’s departure
Acts 20:36–38
King James Version“And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.They accompany him unto the ship.
Tyre
The company remains seven days
Acts 21:3–6
King James Version“And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days… And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.The disciples, wives, and children accompany them out of the city.
Caesarea
Agabus binds himself with Paul’s girdle
Acts 21:10–14
King James Version“So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.Paul answers that he is ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Jerusalem ahead
The company prepares to go up
Acts 21:15–17
King James Version“And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.”Read the full chapter →Tap the reference again to close.The third journey ends. Paul’s arrest and imprisonment begin the next page.
Chronology register
The stated time markers remain visible
Acts gives enough detail to define the journey’s shape while still leaving several civil-year boundaries open.
Paul’s stay at Antioch after the second journey is real but unnumbered. No month count is supplied.
Three synagogue months and two years at Tyrannus belong within Paul’s broader three-year summary.
About AD 53–57 / CY 3975–3979 is shown as a working placement, not a spreadsheet date silently declared settled.
The duration is explicit. The exact month in which it begins remains open.
Unleavened bread, five sailing days, seven days at Troas, and the first day of the week retain Acts’ own order.
The third journey closes at Acts 21:17. The arrest that follows belongs to the next section.
The road narrows toward Jerusalem
Paul knows bonds await him, yet he continues.
The journey moves from years of public teaching at Ephesus to a tearful farewell at Miletus. At Caesarea, Agabus makes the coming danger visible; Paul proceeds knowing that Jerusalem will open the next stage of his witness.