Christian Standard Bible
Acts 20:31
31Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.
Acts 20:31 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
- New International Version (NIV)So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Context of Acts 20:31
29I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. 32“And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
Read all of Acts 20Acts 20:31 word by word
διὸ γρηγορεῖτε μνημονεύοντες ὅτι τριετίαν νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην μετὰ δακρύων νουθετῶν ἕνα ἕκαστον.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
- watchγρηγορέωgrēgoreuō · to keep watchG1127
- and rememberμνημονεύωmnēmoneuō · to rememberG3421
- thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- by the space of three yearsτριετίαtrietia · three yearsG5148
- I ceasedπαύωpauō · to ceaseG3973
- notοὐou · noG3756
- to warnνουθετέωnoutheteō · to admonishG3560
- everyἕκαστοςhekastos · eachG1538
- oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
- nightνύξnux · nightG3571
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
- withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
- tearsδάκρυ, δάκρυονdakru dakruon · teardropG1144
Cross-references for Acts 20:31
- Matthew 13:25But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left.
- Mark 13:34“It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert.
- Luke 21:36But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”
- 2 Timothy 4:5But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
- Hebrews 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
- Revelation 16:15“Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.”
- Acts 19:8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
- Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me.
- Matthew 3:7When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
- 1 Corinthians 4:14I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.
- Colossians 1:28We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
- Acts 20:7On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and toiled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
- Acts 20:19serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews.
Commentaries on Acts 20:31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31Therefore watch, and remember - The only way to abide in the truth is to watch against evil, and for good; and to keep in mind the heavenly doctrines originally received. Unwatchfulness and forgetfulness are two grand inlets to apostasy. By the space of three years - . The Greek word here does not necessarily mean three whole years: it may be months more or less. In Acts 19:8, Acts 19:10, we have an account of his spending two years and three months among…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 31Therefore watch - Matthew 24:42. In view of the dangers which beset yourselves Acts 20:28, the danger from people not connected with the church Acts 20:29, and the danger which will arise from the love of power among yourselves Acts 20:30, be on your guard. Observe the approach of danger, and set yourselves against it. Remember - Recall my counsels and admonitions in reference to these dangers. By the space of three years - In Acts 19:10, we are told that…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 28-38Verses 28-38 If the Holy Ghost has made ministers overseers of the flock, that is, shepherds, they must be true to their trust. Let them consider their Master's concern for the flock committed to their charge. It is the church He has purchased with his own blood. The blood was his as Man; yet so close is the union between the Divine and human nature, that it is there called the blood of God, for it was the blood of Him who is God. This put such dignity…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-38Paul’s message to the elders (leaders) of the church in Ephesus describes his life and work among them. He also calls these leaders to show the same kind of commitment as they continue the ministry. In this message, Paul points to his own life as an example. He shows his honesty and care for people (20:18–21, 26, 31). He also speaks about what will happen in the future (20:22–23, 25, 29–30). He warns them about false teachers (people who teach wrong ideas…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3131. by the space of three years--speaking in round numbers; for it was nearer three than two years. I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears--What an appeal to be able to make! "And if this was an apostle's part, how much more a pastor's!" [Bengel].Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 20:31
In the dictionaries
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
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries