Acts 20NKJV
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Acts20

New King James Version

1After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.

2Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece

3and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

4And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

5These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.

6But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

7Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

8There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.

9And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.

10But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”

11Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.

12And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

13Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.

14And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.

15We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.

16For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

17From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

18And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,

19serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

20how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,

21testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

23except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

24But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

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.

26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

27For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

28Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

29For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

30Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

31Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

32“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.

34Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

35I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

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,

38sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 20.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Paul's journeys. (1–6). Eutychus restored to life. (7–12). Paul travels towards Jerusalem. (13–16). Paul's discourse to the elders of Ephesus. (17–27). Their farewell. (28–38).

vv1-6

Tumults or opposition may constrain a Christian to remove from his station or alter his purpose, but his work and his pleasure will be the same, wherever he goes. Paul thought it worth while to bestow five days in going to Troas, though it was but for seven days' stay there; but he knew, and so should we, how to redeem even journeying time, and to make it turn to some good account.

vv7-12

Though the disciples read, and meditated, and prayed, and sung apart, and thereby kept up communion with God, yet they came together to worship God, and so kept up their communion with one another. They came together on the first day of the week, the Lord's day. It is to be religiously observed by all disciples of Christ. In the breaking of the bread, not only the breaking of Christ's body for us, to be a sacrifice for our sins, is remembered, but the breaking of Christ's body to us, to be food and a feast for our souls, is signified. In the early times it was the custom to receive the Lord's supper every Lord's day, thus celebrating the memorial of Christ's death. In this assembly Paul preached. The preaching of the gospel ought to go with the sacraments. They were willing to hear, he saw they were so, and continued his speech till midnight. Sleeping when hearing the word, is an evil thing, a sign of low esteem of the word of God. We must do what we can to prevent being sleepy; not put ourselves to sleep, but get our hearts affected with the word we hear, so as to drive sleep far away. Infirmity requires tenderness; but contempt requires severity. It interrupted the apostle's preaching; but was made to confirm his preaching. Eutychus was brought to life again. And as they knew not when they should have Paul's company again, they made the best use of it they could, and reckoned a night's sleep well lost for that purpose. How seldom are hours of repose broken for the purposes of devotion! but how often for mere amusement or sinful revelry! So hard is it for spiritual life to thrive in the heart of man! so naturally do carnal practices flourish there!

vv13-16

Paul hastened to Jerusalem, but tried to do good by the way, when going from place to place, as every good man should do. In doing God's work, our own wills and those of our friends must often be crossed; we must not spend time with them when duty calls us another way.

Cross References

Acts 20

Establishes first-day-of-the-week gathering for Christian worship and collection of alms.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v7Revelation 1:10thematic

Directly links 'the first day of the week' with the apostolic term 'the Lord's Day'.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v22Acts 21:11-14thematic

Parallel account of the Holy Spirit's warnings in every city regarding Paul's coming bonds in Jerusalem.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v34Acts 18:3thematic

Identifies the manual labor of Paul's hands in tentmaking to support himself and companions.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Romans 15:19thematic

Expands on Paul's ministry in 'those parts,' noting he preached as far as Illyricum.

Supported by JFB

v4Romans 16:21thematic

Identifies 'Sopater of Berea' as Sosipater, Paul's kinsman who joined in sending greetings.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v4Acts 19:29thematic

Identifies Aristarchus and Gaius as Paul's travel companions previously caught in the Ephesian riot.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v101 Kings 17:21thematic

Elijah stretching himself over the dead child matches Paul's physical action of falling upon Eutychus.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v102 Kings 4:34thematic

Elisha laying upon the dead child parallels Paul's bodily embrace to restore life.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v16Acts 19:21thematic

Records Paul's prior, settled plan to travel through Macedonia/Achaia and then on to Jerusalem.

Supported by JFB

v28Ephesians 1:7thematic

Parallels Christ's purchasing of the church with redemption through His own blood.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v28John 21:15-17thematic

Christ's command to Peter to 'feed my sheep' parallels Paul's charge to the elders.

Supported by JFB

v29Matthew 7:15thematic

Christ's foundational warning concerning false prophets who are inwardly 'ravening wolves.'

Supported by Matthew Henry

v331 Samuel 12:3-5thematic

Samuel's final public protestation of financial integrity closely mirrors Paul's farewell appeal.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v37Romans 16:16allusion

Underpins the cultural custom of physical kissing and embracing as a sign of Christian fellowship.

Supported by Matthew Poole