Details, Details

Acts 20:2 KJV

And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, is famous for his detail. They say that he, being a physician, was compelled by training to give these details. When he wrote the Gospel According to Luke he claimed as much. Others had written of the ministry of Christ, he wanted to put that ministry in order.

We see the detailed nature of Luke in this context as he mentions exactly how long they stayed;

·       Three months in Greece

·       Five days travel to Troas followed by a

·       Seven day stay

He also lists exactly who was with them and where each was from. Details mattered to Luke.

So why did he just say they abode in Greece? Greece is an expansive region spotted by numerous cities, towns and villages. Why didn't Luke give the details as to which cities and where in Greece?

I hardly think it was because he didn't know. Even if he had not been with Paul at this time, Luke was the sort of man who could and would have researched these details. I think instead that there is a message in the broadness of the word; while we are called to specific places we also have a responsibility to the world at large. I have a specific calling but that does not mean I can ignore the rest of the world in my calling.

Paul likely visited believers throughout Greece at this time. But we don't always need to know specifically where because he, as should we, preached Christ everywhere he was.