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 given you an example that by working hard like this we should help the weak. We should remember the words that the Lord Jesus said, ‘Giving gifts is more satisfying than receiving them.’ ” 36When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. Everyone cried a lot as they put their arms around Paul and kissed him. 38The thought of not seeing Paul again hurt them most of all. Then they took Paul 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• theyἱκανόςhikanos · sufficientG2425
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• wept soreγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• wept soreκλαυθμόςklauthmos · weepingG2805
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• fellἐπιπίπτωepipiptō · to fall/press uponG1968
• onἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• Paul’sὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Paul’sΠαῦλοςPaulos · PaulG3972
• neckτράχηλοςtrachēlos · neckG5137
• and kissedκαταφιλέωkataphileō · to kissG2705
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Acts 20:37

• 1 Samuel 20:41When the boy had left, David came out from the south side ⌞of the rock⌟ and quickly bowed down three times with his face touching the ground. Then they kissed each other and cried together, but David cried the loudest.
• 2 Samuel 15:30David cried as he went up the Mount of Olives. He covered his head and walked barefoot. And all of the troops with him covered their heads and cried as they went.
• 2 Kings 20:3“Please, Lord, remember how I’ve lived faithfully and sincerely in your presence. I’ve done what you consider right.” And he cried bitterly.
• Ezra 10:1While Ezra was praying, confessing ⌞these sins⌟, crying, and throwing himself down in front of God’s temple, a large crowd of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. They also began to cry bitterly.
• Job 2:12When they saw him from a distance, they didn’t even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept, and each of them tore his own clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads.
• Psalms 126:5Those who cry while they plant will joyfully sing while they harvest.
• 2 Timothy 1:4I remember your tears and want to see you so that I can be filled with happiness.
• Revelation 7:17The lamb in the center near the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs filled with the water of life, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
• Revelation 21:4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won’t be any more death. There won’t be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first things have disappeared.”
• Genesis 45:14He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and cried with Benjamin, who was crying on his shoulder.
• Genesis 46:29Joseph prepared his chariot and went to meet his father Israel. As soon as he saw his father, he threw his arms around him and cried on his shoulder a long time.
• Romans 16:16Greet each other with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
• 1 Corinthians 16:20All the brothers and sisters ⌞here⌟ greet you. Greet each other with a holy kiss.
• 2 Corinthians 13:12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All of God’s holy people greet you.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:26Greet all the brothers and sisters 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