Lexical Summary Mituléné: Mytilene Original Word: Μιτυλήνη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mitylene. For mutilene (abounding in shellfish); Mitylene (or Mytilene), a town on the island of Lesbos -- Mitylene. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfor Mutiléné Definition Mitylene, the chief city of Lesbos NASB Translation Mitylene (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3412: ΜιτυλήνηΜιτυλήνη, Μιτυληνης, ἡ, Mitylene, the chief maritime town of the island of Lesbos in the Aegean: Acts 20:14. (Lewin, St. Paul, ii. 84f.) Topical Lexicon Mitylene: Overview Mitylene was the chief city of the island of Lesbos in the northeastern Aegean Sea. Situated on a double-harbored peninsula with fertile hinterlands and sheltered anchorages, it was renowned in antiquity for commerce, art, and learning. Classical writers praised its political influence and cultural achievements, and by the first century it possessed both Roman privileges and enduring Hellenistic traditions. Biblical Reference (Acts 20:14) The city appears once in the New Testament. During Paul’s third missionary journey Luke records: “When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene” (Acts 20:14). This brief notice situates Mitylene as a night-stop on Paul’s hurried voyage toward Jerusalem after the Ephesian uproar. Having walked across the Troad from Troas to Assos, Paul rejoined his companions, boarded the coastal vessel, and continued southward, covering roughly forty miles to Mitylene before dusk. Historical Setting in the First Century 1. Political Status: As part of the Roman province of Asia, Mitylene enjoyed a degree of municipal autonomy, minted its own coins, and served as a regional hub for shipping between Asia Minor and Macedonia. Significance in Paul’s Ministry 1. Strategic Itinerary: Paul intentionally bypassed Ephesus to avoid delayed farewells, yet his choice of the coastal route underscored his urgency to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Mitylene’s safe harbor allowed night anchorage and fresh provisioning for the crew. Later Christian Tradition and Archaeology Early Christian writers mention churches on Lesbos by the second century, implying that seeds planted during apostolic travel bore fruit. Bishops from Mitylene attended ecumenical councils, and Byzantine remains, including basilica foundations and inscriptions, attest to a vibrant Christian community. Modern excavations reveal mosaics and cemeteries dating from the fourth to sixth centuries, offering tangible evidence of sustained faith on the island. Theological and Practical Reflections 1. God’s Providence in Travel: Acts 20:14 shows the sovereign orchestration of seemingly routine port calls, weaving them into the larger redemptive plan that culminated in Paul’s witness at Jerusalem and ultimately Rome. Key Reference Acts 20:13-17 for the full travel log that frames Mitylene’s appearance. Forms and Transliterations Μιτυληνην Μιτυλήνην Mitulenen Mitulēnēn Mitylenen Mitylēnēn Mitylḗnen MitylḗnēnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |