20:5

These men: This phrase refers to the seven men of 20:4.

went on ahead and waited for us in Troas: Troas was a city in the province of Asia. It was a coastal city on the Aegean Sea. The men had to sail on a ship across part of the Aegean Sea in order to get to Troas. Other ways to translate this are:

went ahead of us, ⌊crossed the sea,⌋ ⌊landed at⌋ ⌊the city of⌋ Troas, and waited for us there

went on ahead: It is possible that:

(1) the seven men went with Paul to Macedonia, then left him there to go ahead to Troas,

(2) the seven men left Paul in Corinth to go ahead to Troas.

The words seem to imply interpretation (2). But Luke joined Paul in this verse. Many scholars believe he was living in Macedonia at this time. This would imply interpretation (1). If possible, translate in a way that allows either interpretation.

us: This pronoun indicates that Luke was with Paul again. It is also possible that other believers traveled with Paul and Luke at this time.

Troas: See how you spelled this name in 16:11.

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