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 after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Even from among yourselves will arise men speaking perversions, to draw the disciples away after themselves. Therefore be alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning you with tears. 32“Now I commit you to God and the word of His grace, which is strong to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who have been made holy. 33I coveted no one’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 the men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.
• Mark 13:34It is like a man away on a journey. After leaving his house and putting his servants in charge and giving each his task, he also commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
• Luke 21:36But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
• 2 Timothy 4:5You, however, keep a clear mind in all things, withstand hardship, do the work of proclaiming the Good News, and fulfill your service.
• Hebrews 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as ones who must give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no benefit to you.
• Revelation 16:15“Behold, I am coming like a thief! How fortunate is the one who stays alert and keeps his clothes on, lest he walk around naked and they see his shamefulness.”
• Acts 19:8Paul went into the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, debating and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
• Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
• Matthew 3:7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
• 1 Corinthians 4:14I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to warn you as my dearly loved children.
• Colossians 1:28We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Messiah.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14We urge you, brothers and sisters, correct the unruly, comfort the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
• Acts 20:7Now on the first day of the week, we gathered to break bread. Paul was talking with them, intending to leave the next day, so he prolonged his speech till midnight.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship—working night and day, so as not to burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the Good News of God.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8And we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but worked night and day with labor and hardship, so as not to burden any of you.
• Acts 20:19serving the Lord with all humility and tears and trials which fell upon me through the plots of the Jewish leaders.

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