3896. parapleó
Lexical Summary
parapleó: To sail past, to sail by

Original Word: παραπλέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: parapleó
Pronunciation: pah-rah-PLEH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ap-leh'-o)
KJV: sail by
NASB: sail past
Word Origin: [from G3844 (παρά - than) and G4126 (πλέω - sailing)]

1. to sail near

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sail by.

From para and pleo; to sail near -- sail by.

see GREEK para

see GREEK pleo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from para and pleó
Definition
to sail by or past
NASB Translation
sail past (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3896: παραπλέω

παραπλέω: 1 aorist infinitive παραπλεῦσαι; to sail by, sail past, (παρά, IV. 1): with an accusative of place, Acts 20:16. (Thucydides 2, 25; Xenophon, anab. 6, 2, 1; Hell. 1, 3, 3; Plato, Phaedr., p. 259 a.)

Topical Lexicon
Usage in Scripture

The verb appears once in the New Testament: “But Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.” (Acts 20:16). The action of “sailing past” underscores a deliberate decision within a divinely directed itinerary.

Historical Context

Acts 20 records the closing movements of Paul’s third missionary journey (circa A.D. 53–57). Having gathered contributions for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25–26; 1 Corinthians 16:1–4), Paul was eager to present this gift by Pentecost, a feast that drew Jews from throughout the Roman Empire. Skirting the harbor of Ephesus spared Paul the inevitable delays that his presence would create among beloved disciples there (cf. Acts 19:10). Instead, he summoned the Ephesian elders to nearby Miletus (Acts 20:17) for a deeply pastoral farewell.

Paul’s Missionary Strategy

1. Purpose-driven movement: Paul’s bypass of Ephesus illustrates a missionary who weighs every stop against a larger calling. Short-term loss—foregoing extended fellowship—served a greater kingdom aim, the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers expressed through the Jerusalem offering (2 Corinthians 8–9).
2. Sensitivity to timing: Pentecost symbolized harvest. Presenting Gentile gifts at this feast visually proclaimed the “firstfruits” of a worldwide gospel harvest (Acts 2:5–11; 10:44–48). The choice of timing elevated ordinary travel decisions into acts of theological testimony.

Spiritual Discernment and Avoidance

To “sail past” can signify holy restraint. Wisdom sometimes calls for bypassing legitimate opportunities when they threaten to dilute obedience (Proverbs 4:25–27). Paul discerned that revisiting Ephesus, scene of earlier revival and opposition (Acts 19:23–41), might embroil him in disputes that would hinder his Spirit-impressed deadline for Jerusalem.

Maritime Motifs in Luke–Acts

Luke portrays the gospel’s advance against the backdrop of the Mediterranean. From Peter’s voyage to Joppa (Acts 10:23–24) to Paul’s storm-tossed passage to Rome (Acts 27), the sea becomes a stage for divine sovereignty. The single occurrence of this verb contributes to the broader narrative that God governs both the winds and the missionary calendar.

Doctrinal Insights
• Providence and human planning coexist. Paul “decided” while the Spirit simultaneously directed (Acts 20:22).
• Unity of the church is worth strategic sacrifice; Paul prioritized Jerusalem despite personal warnings of suffering (Acts 20:23; 21:11–14).
• Holy days retain significance when they spotlight Christ. Paul’s Pentecost aim honored the feast’s fulfillment in the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2:1–4) without reverting to legalism (Galatians 5:1).

Practical Ministry Applications
• Leaders must occasionally decline good opportunities to fulfill God’s best.
• Time-sensitive goals—mission trips, benevolence drives, evangelistic campaigns—require disciplined travel and scheduling.
• Elders’ gatherings apart from the larger congregation, as at Miletus, provide space for candid exhortation and succession planning (Acts 20:28–32).

Related Biblical Themes

Purposeful haste: 1 Samuel 21:8; Luke 19:5–6

Avoiding distraction: Nehemiah 6:3; Mark 1:38

Stewardship of travel: Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13–15

Summary

Though used only once, the verb translated “to sail past” encapsulates a moment when apostolic resolve, Spirit-led timing, and pastoral sensitivity converged. It invites believers to navigate life’s itinerary with equal clarity of purpose and submission to the Lord who charts every course.

Forms and Transliterations
παραπλευσαι παραπλεύσαι παραπλεῦσαι παράπληκτος παραπληξία parapleusai parapleûsai
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 20:16 V-ANA
GRK: ὁ Παῦλος παραπλεῦσαι τὴν Ἔφεσον
NAS: had decided to sail past Ephesus
KJV: had determined to sail by Ephesus,
INT: Paul to sail by Ephesus

Strong's Greek 3896
1 Occurrence


παραπλεῦσαι — 1 Occ.

3895
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