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.
• 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 false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 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. 32“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. 33“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes.

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 that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.
• Mark 13:34“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
• Luke 21:36Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
• 2 Timothy 4:5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
• Hebrews 13:17Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
• Revelation 16:15“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
• Acts 19:8Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God.
• Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately.
• Matthew 3:7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?
• 1 Corinthians 4:14I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
• Colossians 1:28So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
• Acts 20:7On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
• Acts 20:19I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from 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

• 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