Acts 20:37

Acts 20:37 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
• New International Version (NIV)They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

Context of Acts 20:37

35I have shewed you all things, that thus labouring [we] ought to come in aid of the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36And having said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore; and falling upon the neck of Paul they ardently kissed him, 38specially pained by the word which he had said, that they would no more see his face. And they went down with him to the ship.

Acts 20:37 word by word

ἱκανὸς δὲ κλαυθμὸς ἐγένετο πάντων, καὶ ἐπιπεσόντες ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον τοῦ Παύλου κατεφίλουν αὐτόν,Read the interlinear

• neckτράχηλοςtrachēlos · neckG5137
• PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos · PaulG3972

Cross-references for Acts 20:37

• 1 Samuel 20:41The lad went, and David arose from the side of the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times; and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
• 2 Samuel 15:30But David went up by the ascent of the Olives, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot; and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
• 2 Kings 20:3Ah! Jehovah, remember, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done what is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept much.
• Ezra 10:1And while Ezra prayed, and made confession, weeping and falling down before the house of God, there were gathered to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children; for the people wept very much.
• Job 2:12And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice and wept. And they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward the heavens.
• Psalms 126:5They that sow in tears shall reap with rejoicing:
• 2 Timothy 1:4earnestly desiring to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
• Revelation 7:17because the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall shepherd them, and shall lead them to fountains of waters of life, and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.
• Revelation 21:4And he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall not exist any more, nor grief, nor cry, nor distress shall exist any more, for the former things have passed away.
• Genesis 45:14And he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept on his neck.
• Genesis 46:29Then Joseph yoked his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and he presented himself to him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
• Romans 16:16Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the assemblies of Christ salute you.
• 1 Corinthians 16:20All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
• 2 Corinthians 13:12Salute one another with a holy kiss.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

Commentaries on Acts 20:37

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 37Fell on Paul's neck - Leaned their heads against his shoulders, and kissed his neck. This was not an unusual custom in the east.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 37Wept sore - Wept much. Greek: “There was a great weeping of all.” And fell on Paul‘s neck - Embraced him, as a token of tender affection. The same thing Joseph did when he met his aged father Jacob, Genesis 46:29. And kissed him - This was the common token of affection. See the Matthew 26:48 note; Luke 15:20 note; Romans 16:16 note; 1 Corinthians 16:20 note.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. 36-3836-38. he kneeled down and prayed with them all, &c.--Nothing can be more touching than these three concluding verses, leaving an indelible impression of rare ministerial fidelity and affection on the apostle's part, and of warm admiration and attachment on the part of these Ephesian presbyters. Would to God that such scenes were more frequent in the Church!Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 20:37

• Ephesus
• Kiss
• Miletus
• Minister, Christian
• Paul
• Prudence

In the dictionaries

• Appoint
• Bind
• Bishop
• Counsel
• Count
• Course
• Determine
• Draw
• Embrace
• Grievous

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