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 shown you all things, that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept bitterly, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, 38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied 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

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• weptκλαυθμόςklauthmos · weepingG2805
• weptγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• bitterlyἱκανόςhikanos · sufficientG2425
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• fellἐπιπίπτωepipiptō · to fall/press uponG1968
• onἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• Paul’sΠαῦλοςPaulos · PaulG3972
• neckτράχηλοςtrachēlos · neckG5137
• kissedκαταφιλέωkataphileō · to kissG2705
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Acts 20:37

• 1 Samuel 20:41And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward 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, but David more so.
• 2 Samuel 15:30And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went.
• 2 Kings 20:3I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept grievously.
• Ezra 10:1Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very bitterly.
• Job 2:12And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they raised their voice, and wept; and they tore every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
• Psalms 126:5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
• 2 Timothy 1:4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
• Revelation 7:17For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
• Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.
• Genesis 45:14And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
• Genesis 46:29And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself to him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
• Romans 16:16Greet one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
• 1 Corinthians 16:20All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
• 2 Corinthians 13:12Greet one another with an holy kiss.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:26Greet all the brethren with an 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