Acts 20:15

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An Exegetical Analysis of παραβαλεῖν in Acts 20:15

This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of παραβαλεῖν in Acts 20:15 is based on a b-greek discussion from April 6th, 2014.

The initial discussion questioned the conventional translation of the verb παραβαλεῖν εἰς τόπον as ‘come (sail) to the land’ or ‘dock briefly at,’ as found in most English versions. The argument posited that the English term “touch” in this context typically means “stop or dock briefly at,” but this might not fully capture the Greek nuance. Instead, an alternative interpretation was proposed, suggesting that the phrase, when used in the context of an open sea voyage with the preposition εἰς, signifies “to sail over open water till one sights land and then sail along parallel to the land without landing.” This specific usage is noted to occur only once in this sense within the New Testament.

The core exegetical issue revolves around the precise semantic range of the verb παραβαλεῖν when used in maritime contexts with the prepositional phrase εἰς τόπον, specifically in Acts 20:15. The traditional understanding implies a direct arrival or landing at Samos. However, the proposed alternative suggests a more nuanced nautical maneuver: sailing across open water to make landfall (sight land) and then proceeding parallel to the coastline towards a destination, without necessarily docking at the initially sighted land. This distinction significantly impacts the understanding of the apostolic travel narrative, questioning whether the party landed at Samos or merely passed by its coast on their way to Trogyllium. The lack of explicit clarification in standard reference works and English translations further highlights the need for a detailed examination of this verb’s usage.

Greek Text (Nestle 1904):

τῇ δὲ ἑτέρᾳ παρεβάλομεν εἰς Σάμον· καὶ μείναντες ἐν Τρωγυλλίῳ

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• No significant textual differences in Acts 20:15 between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT (2010). Both texts present the same wording for this verse.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes

Textual Criticism (NA28): The text of Acts 20:15, particularly the phrase παρεβάλομεν εἰς Σάμον, exhibits high textual stability across major manuscript traditions. The Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) apparatus for this verse indicates no significant variants affecting the verb παραβάλλω or its accompanying prepositional phrase. This strong agreement among manuscripts suggests that the form and presence of the verb are well-attested, focusing the exegetical task primarily on semantic and contextual interpretation rather than textual reconstruction.

Lexical Notes:

• KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament): The root βάλλω (to throw) combined with the preposition παρά (beside, alongside) gives παραβάλλω a fundamental sense of “to throw alongside” or “to place beside.” In classical Greek, it is frequently used in maritime contexts. For instance, it can refer to drawing ships alongside one another (e.g., Thucydides 3.32) or alongside a quay. Figuratively, it can mean to compare or juxtapose. While Kittel does not explicitly delve into Acts 20:15 in extensive detail for this specific nuance, the broader semantic field supports actions involving proximity or parallelism, which is crucial for the proposed interpretation. The idea of “sailing alongside” or “bringing alongside” ships is well-established in the classical usage that informs the Koine Greek of the New Testament.
• BDAG (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature): BDAG provides several definitions for παραβάλλω, including:
  • “to put in alongside, put into port, anchor” (e.g., Herod. 7.179, often with πρός or εἰς).
  • “to come (by sea), cross over” (referencing Philipp. ap. D.12.16 and Arist. Mir. 836a29, which the original post cited, and specifically Acts 20:15 for “go by sea, cross over”). This general sense often translates as “to sail across to” or “to make for.”
  • “to lie parallel to, run parallel to” is a fundamental spatial meaning, especially for land features or lines.

  The specific usage in Acts 20:15 with εἰς Σάμον is often interpreted by BDAG as a general “go by sea” or “cross over” to Samos, implying arrival. However, the lexicon also acknowledges the more literal “put in alongside” or “run parallel to.” The exegetical challenge, as highlighted in the discussion, is to ascertain whether εἰς Σάμον functions as a direct destination for landing or as a directional marker for approaching and then sailing along the coast, especially given the immediate subsequent mention of “remaining at Trogyllium.” The verb’s inherent meaning of “alongside” could allow for the latter interpretation if supported by context and nautical practice.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The phrase τῇ δὲ ἑτέρᾳ παρεβάλομεν εἰς Σάμον presents a key point of divergence in interpretation. Grammatically, παρεβάλομεν is an aorist active indicative, first person plural, from παραβάλλω. The prepositional phrase εἰς Σάμον typically denotes direction towards a destination, often implying entry into or arrival at that place. Standard translations reflect this by rendering it as “we sailed to Samos” or “we put in at Samos.”

However, the proposed alternative interpretation leverages the root meaning of παραβάλλω (“to put alongside,” “to sail parallel to”) and the potential nuance of εἰς. The argument suggests that εἰς Σάμον, in this specific maritime context, might not signify a direct landing on Samos but rather sailing *towards* and *alongside* Samos. This interpretation is strengthened by the subsequent clause: καὶ μείναντες ἐν Τρωγυλλίῳ (“and remaining at Trogyllium”). If they had landed at Samos, the transition to “remaining at Trogyllium” (a promontory on the mainland of Asia Minor, opposite Samos) would imply a departure from Samos. The proposed reading suggests a continuous journey: sailing from Chios across open water, sighting Samos, and then navigating along its coast, or the nearby coast of Asia Minor, directly to Trogyllium without disembarking on Samos itself.

Rhetorically, the traditional translation emphasizes a direct, perhaps brief, stop at Samos. The alternative interpretation, however, highlights a more sophisticated nautical maneuver, reflecting ancient seafaring practices where mariners would sail offshore to gain speed, make landfall as a navigational point, and then proceed coastwise to their ultimate destination. This would underscore the practicalities of the journey and the crew’s skill. The sequence of events – approaching Samos and then staying at Trogyllium – could be seen as a single, integrated phase of the voyage, rather than two distinct stops.

This reading of παραβαλεῖν εἰς suggests that εἰς defines the geographical objective of the open sea passage (e.g., the general area of Samos or its coast as a landmark) rather than a specific port of call. Once land (Samos or the nearby Asia Minor coast) was sighted, the ship would then “sail parallel to” or “alongside” the coast to reach Trogyllium. This grammatical and rhetorical analysis, while challenging conventional renderings, provides a plausible alternative based on the etymology of the verb and the geographical context.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The exegetical investigation into παραβαλεῖν εἰς Σάμον in Acts 20:15 reveals a potential ambiguity not fully captured by most English translations. While a direct arrival and brief stop at Samos remains a plausible interpretation, the nuance of “sailing alongside” or “approaching and then sailing parallel to” offers a richer understanding of ancient maritime practice and the journey’s specifics. Given the subsequent mention of “remaining at Trogyllium,” the alternative interpretation suggests a continuous passage where Samos serves as a navigational landmark rather than an intermediate port of call.

Considering the available lexical data and the geographical context, the following translation suggestions attempt to reflect the nuanced understanding of παραβάλλω in Acts 20:15:

1. “On the next day, we sailed across, making for Samos, and after a stay at Trogyllium…”
   This translation emphasizes the direction of travel towards Samos as a general objective without explicitly stating a landing, allowing for the interpretation of sighting land and proceeding.
2. “On the next day, we reached the vicinity of Samos, and then, after remaining at Trogyllium…”
   This option highlights the approach to Samos, suggesting arrival in its general area or coastline, but not necessarily a port call, consistent with a subsequent stop at Trogyllium.
3. “On the next day, we sailed to the coast of Samos, though not landing there, and remained at Trogyllium…”
   This suggestion directly incorporates the proposed interpretation of sailing to sight land (Samos) and then proceeding along its coast or the nearby mainland to the specified stopping point of Trogyllium, thereby differentiating between approaching and landing.