Acts 20:11 kjv
When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
Acts 20:11 nkjv
Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.
Acts 20:11 niv
Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left.
Acts 20:11 esv
And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.
Acts 20:11 nlt
Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord's Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left.
Acts 20 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 20:11 | "When he had gone up and broken bread and eaten, and talked with them for a long while, until daybreak, he departed." | N/A |
| Acts 2:42 | "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." | Early church fellowship and practice |
| Acts 2:46 | "Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and sincere hearts," | Daily communal life, including meals |
| Acts 20:7 | "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight." | Context of gathering to break bread |
| 1 Cor 11:24 | "and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”" | Significance of breaking bread |
| 1 Cor 10:16 | "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" | Breaking bread as spiritual participation |
| John 13:34-35 | "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also, and to one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”" | Love and fellowship as distinguishing mark |
| 1 Thes 5:11 | "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." | Encouragement and building up |
| Rom 15:14 | "I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are also full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another." | Mutual instruction within the church |
| 2 Tim 4:2 | "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." | Importance of continued teaching |
| Eph 4:29 | "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." | Edifying speech |
| Col 3:16 | "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." | Teaching and admonishing one another |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and the same judgment." | Unity in the church |
| 1 Cor 11:33-34 | "So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— if indeed you do not receive the Lord’s Supper in a worthy manner." | Orderliness in fellowship meals |
| Phil 2:1-4 | "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." | Mutual regard and love in fellowship |
| 1 John 1:7 | "but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." | Fellowship in the light |
| Gal 6:10 | "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." | Doing good to fellow believers |
| Heb 12:14 | "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." | Striving for peace |
| Heb 12:15 | "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled." | Avoiding bitterness, promoting purity |
| Prov 17:22 | "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." | The effect of fellowship on the spirit |
Acts 20 verses
Acts 20 11 Meaning
The verse describes Paul and his companions returning to their lodgings after a prolonged meeting. They broke bread, signifying fellowship and a shared meal, likely in continuation of the Lord's Supper, and then engaged in further conversation. The prolonged nature of this discussion, continuing "until daybreak," emphasizes the depth of their fellowship, teaching, and perhaps concern for the church in Troas.
Acts 20 11 Context
This verse occurs within the broader narrative of Paul's final journey to Jerusalem, as recounted in Acts chapter 20. Specifically, it follows a significant period spent in Troas where Paul was ministering to the believers. The previous verse (20:10) recounts the dramatic revival of Eutychus, a young man who fell from a window and was presumed dead, but was restored by Paul. The current verse, Acts 20:11, describes the aftermath of this miraculous event and the subsequent gathering. The historical context is the early Christian church's itinerant ministry and communal life. The literary context is the concluding activities of Paul with the elders from Ephesus in Troas before he proceeds on his journey. This extended time spent with the believers highlights the deep pastoral care and affection Paul had for them, and their responsive eagerness to learn from him.
Acts 20 11 Word Analysis
- ἀναβὰς (anabas): From ἀναβαίνω (anabainō), meaning "to go up," "to ascend." Here, it suggests Paul went up to an upper room or a higher part of the building, a common setting for meetings and meals.
- τὸ κλᾶσμα τοῦ ἄρτου (to klasma tou artou): Literally "the breaking of the bread." This phrase is strongly associated with the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) in the New Testament, as well as communal meals shared among believers, symbolizing fellowship and unity. It could also refer to the act of breaking bread to share it.
- καὶ φαγὼν (kai phagōn): "and having eaten." Indicates that a meal was part of the gathering, underscoring the fellowship aspect.
- διαλεξάμενος (dialexamenos): From διαλέγομαι (dialegomai), meaning "to converse," "to discuss," "to teach." This emphasizes an interactive and teaching-oriented conversation, not merely casual chat. It suggests thorough explanation and exposition.
- μετ' αὐτῶν (met' autōn): "with them." Refers to the believers in Troas gathered with Paul.
- ἐπὶ πολὺ (epi polu): "for a long time," "greatly." This adverbial phrase stresses the duration of their interaction, indicating a significant amount of time was spent together.
- ἕως ὄρθρου (heōs orthrou): "until daybreak." Explicitly states that their fellowship and teaching continued through the entire night until the beginning of a new day.
- οὕτως (houtōs): "thus," "so." Refers back to the actions described (breaking bread, eating, talking).
- ἀνεχώρησεν (anechōrēsen): "he departed," "he withdrew." The final action, indicating Paul's movement away from the place of meeting.
Acts 20 11 Bonus Section
The unbroken fellowship until daybreak, marked by shared meals and dialogue, highlights the integral role of community in the Christian life. This period of extended communion was not mere social gathering but a continuation of spiritual nourishment and pastoral care. The resurrection of Eutychus (Acts 20:9-10) likely spurred deeper reflection and a greater desire for the Word, leading to this extended session. It reflects the Apostle Paul's profound understanding that spiritual discipleship is cultivated through sustained, intimate fellowship and the careful, often lengthy, exposition of God's truth. This stands in contrast to a superficial engagement with faith. The communal sharing of bread was a physical expression of the spiritual unity that bound these believers together in Christ.
Acts 20 11 Commentary
The deep and prolonged fellowship described in this verse reveals the heart of Paul as a pastor and the communal life of the early church. The act of breaking bread, likely a sacred meal, was a focal point for spiritual communion, reinforcing the bonds of faith. Paul's extended time spent teaching and conversing until dawn underscores his dedication to edifying the believers. This demonstrates a commitment to spiritual nourishment that transcends the ordinary course of a single evening, reflecting the disciples' own devotion as seen in Acts 2:42, where they "devoted themselves... to the breaking of bread." Such sustained engagement signifies the profound spiritual hunger and thirst of the believers for the Word and fellowship, as well as Paul's sacrificial love in ministering to them. The willingness of the believers to remain throughout the night, especially after a miraculous event, shows their deep appreciation for Paul's teaching and spiritual guidance.