Acts 20:23

Acts 20:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
• New International Version (NIV)I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
• English Standard Version (ESV)except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
• New King James Version (NKJV)except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

Context of Acts 20:23

21solemnly [and wholeheartedly] testifying to both Jews and Greeks, urging them to turn in repentance to God and [to have] faith in our Lord Jesus Christ [for salvation]. 22And now, compelled by the Spirit and obligated by my convictions, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly [and emphatically] affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me. 24But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. 25“And now, listen carefully: I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see me again.

Acts 20:23 word by word

πλὴν ὅτι τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον κατὰ πόλιν διαμαρτύρεταί μοι λέγον ὅτι δεσμὰ καὶ θλίψεις με μένουσιν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Saveπλήνplēn · but/howeverG4133
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• the Holyἅγιοςhagios · holyG40
• Ghostπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• witnessethδιαμαρτύρομαιdiamarturomai · to testify solemnlyG1263
• inκατάkata · according toG2596
• every cityπόλιςpolis · cityG4172
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• bondsδεσμόςdesmon desmos · chainG1199
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• afflictionsθλῖψιςthlipsis · pressureG2347
• abideμένωmenō · to stayG3306
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for Acts 20:23

• Acts 9:16for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.”
• Acts 14:22strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
• Acts 21:4After looking up the disciples [in Tyre], we stayed there [with them] seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the [Holy] Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.
• John 16:33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one would be unsettled by these difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you know that we have been destined for this [as something unavoidable in our position].
• 2 Timothy 2:12If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us;

Commentaries on Acts 20:23

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Save that - Except that. This was all that he knew, that bonds and afflictions were to be his portion. The Holy Ghost witnesseth - Either by direct revelation to him, or by the predictions of inspired men whom Paul might meet. An instance of the latter mode occurs in Acts 21:11. It is probable that the meaning here is that the Holy Spirit had deeply impressed the mind of Paul by his direct influences, and by his experience in every city, that bonds and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-27Verses 17-27 The elders knew that Paul was no designing, self-seeking man. Those who would in any office serve the Lord acceptably, and profitably to others, must do it with humility. He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his message so as to be understood. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the gospel as a testimony to them if they received it; but as a testimony against them if they rejected it. He was a profitable preacher; one that aimed to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23the Holy Spirit warns me: See, for example, 21:10–12.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22-2322-23. And now, behold, I--"I" is emphatic here. bound in the spirit--compare Ac 19:21. This internal pressure, unattended with any knowledge of "what was to befall him there," was the result of that higher guidance which shaped all his movements.Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 20:23

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Character
• Courage
• Ephesus
• Joy
• Miletus
• Minister, Christian
• Paul
• Prudence
• Self-Denial
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Holy Ghost
• Abide
• Appoint
• Bind
• Bishop
• Counsel
• Count
• Course
• Determine
• Draw

Commentaries on Acts 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings