Immediate context

The speech at Miletus falls into the so-called ‘third missionary journey’ of Paul (Acts 18.23–21.17), and within that section into the journey to Jerusalem. The intention of Paul to go to Jerusalem is noted in 19.21, following on a summary statement (19.20), although the journey itself does not begin until 20.3. At that point, the intention is to go from ‘Greece’ (? = Corinth) to Syria via Macedonia.

The journey develops as Paul visits Philippi (20.6), Troas (20.6–12), Assos (20.13), Mitylene (20.14) and Miletus (20.15). At Miletus Luke notes that ‘Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; he was eager to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost’ (20.16). This, in Luke's understanding, is why Paul then sends to Ephesus for the elders to come to Miletus and addresses them there, rather than going to Ephesus itself. The meeting with the elders then takes up 20.18–38, and the journey resumes, on to Cos, Rhodes and Patara (21.1), and then Syria (21.2–6). They then travel by ship along the coast to Ptolemais (21.7) and Caesarea (21.8–14), where several days are spent. Finally, the group travels on to Jerusalem (21.15–17).

During the journey two motifs may be noted which will affect our understanding of the Miletus episode, namely the focus on Jerusalem and the sense of divine constraint.