Acts 20:38

Acts 20:38 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
• New International Version (NIV)What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
• English Standard Version (ESV)being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
• New Living Translation (NLT)They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

Context of Acts 20:38

36And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Acts 20:38 word by word

ὀδυνώμενοι μάλιστα ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ ᾧ εἰρήκει ὅτι οὐκέτι μέλλουσιν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ θεωρεῖν. προέπεμπον δὲ αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Sorrowingὀδυνάωodunaō · be anguishedG3600
• most of allμάλισταmalista · especiallyG3122
• forἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• the wordsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the wordsλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• he spakeἐρῶereō · to sayG2046
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• they shouldμέλλωmellō · to ensueG3195
• seeθεωρέωtheōreō · to see/experienceG2334
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• faceπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383
• no moreοὐκέτιouketi · not any moreG3765
• Andδέde · thenG1161
• they accompaniedπροπέμπωpropempō · to help on the wayG4311
• untoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the shipπλοῖονploion · boatG4143

Cross-references for Acts 20:38

• Acts 20:25“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
• Acts 15:3So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
• Acts 21:5When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
• 1 Corinthians 16:11Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

Commentaries on Acts 20:38

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 38That they should see his face no more - This was a most solemn meeting, and a most affecting parting. The man who had first pointed out to them the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom they had been brought into so glorious a state of salvation, is now going away, in all likelihood, to be seen no more till the day in which the quick and dead shall stand before the throne of judgment. Such a scene, and its correspondent feelings, are more easily imagined than…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 38Sorrowing most of all … - This was a most tender and affectionate parting scene. It can be more easily imagined than described. We may learn from it: (1) That the parting of ministers and people is a most solemn event, and should be one of much tenderness and affection. (2) the effect of true religion is to make the heart more tender; to make friendship more affectionate and sacred; and to unite more closely the bonds of love. (3) ministers of the gospel…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. 38The occasion felt more emotional because the church at Ephesus knew they would never see Paul again (20:25).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 20:38

• Ephesus
• 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