Acts 20:31

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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

Context of Acts 20:31

29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.

Acts 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 everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
• Mark 13:34It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
• Luke 21:36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
• 2 Timothy 4:5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
• Hebrews 13:17Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
• Revelation 16:15“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
• Acts 19:8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.
• Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.
• Matthew 3:7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
• 1 Corinthians 4:14I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
• Colossians 1:28He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
• Acts 20:7On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
• Acts 20:19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.

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

• Elder
• Ephesus
• Love
• Miletus
• Minister, Christian
• Paul
• Watchfulness
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Appoint
• Bind
• Bishop
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Counsel
• Count
• Course
• Determine
• Draw
• Embrace

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