In the choosing a verb for taking, one should not suggest that Paul was being in any way escorted against his will. These men were simply “accompanying him.”

In languages which clearly specify different means of travel, it may be necessary to employ here “sailed as far as Athens.” Otherwise there would have been no point in Luke having commented about Paul going to the coast.

The word here translated instructions is often translated “command,” a rendering which is too strong for the present context. The final clause of verse 15 must be rendered as direct discourse in a number of languages—for example, “went back to Berea with words from Paul, Silas and Timothy must join me as soon as possible.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .