Acts 20 36

Acts 20:36 kjv

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

Acts 20:36 nkjv

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Acts 20:36 niv

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

Acts 20:36 esv

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Acts 20:36 nlt

When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 36 Meaning

When Paul had spoken these things, having welcomed all of them, he knelt down and prayed. This verse highlights a moment of deep spiritual intimacy and humble submission in the face of parting. It demonstrates Paul’s prayerful reliance on God and his care for the spiritual well-being of the Ephesian elders, even as they separated.

Acts 20 36 Context

The preceding verses describe Paul's emotional farewell to the Ephesian elders, whom he had shepherded for three years. He recounts his ministry among them, his unsparing proclamation of the gospel, and his personal example of service and self-sacrifice (Acts 20:18-35). The elders, deeply moved, wept as he spoke of his impending departure and assured them that they would see his face no more.

Acts 20 36 Word Analysis

• Καὶ (kai): And. A simple conjunction connecting this action to the previous description of their weeping and embrace.
• ὅτε (hote): When. Indicates a specific time or occasion.
• οὗτος (houtos): This. Refers back to Paul and his preceding speech and interactions.
• τοὺς πάντας (tous pantas): All of them. Emphasizes the unity of the group with whom he was parting, signifying the complete fellowship present.
• εἰπών (eipōn): Having spoken. The perfect participle indicates the action of speaking was completed before the subsequent action of kneeling.
• ἀσπασάμενος (aspasamenos): Having embraced/greeted. Aorist participle showing this was a customary act of fellowship and affection that followed the speech. The embrace itself would have conveyed deep emotion and reassurance.
• γυνή (gunē): Wife. While the English word is "wife," the Greek here is a pronoun (implied feminine or plural) and likely refers to the elders themselves, or perhaps some with them. Correction: The Greek is 'they all'. No 'wife' is present here in the text of Acts 20:36. Let's re-evaluate: The structure "τῶν δὲ πάντων" (tōn de pantōn) uses the genitive plural, referring to "all of them." It is a collective reference.
• γόνυ (gonu): Knee. A posture of deep humility, supplication, and reverence. This is a deliberate, formal act of worship and prayer.
• θέντες (thentes): Having placed/put. The aorist participle indicating the action of placing their knees down was completed.
• προσηύξαντο (prosēuxanto): They prayed. The aorist indicative verb, signifying the act of prayer itself. This prayer was a formal communal action, likely concluding the assembly.

Words Group Analysis:

• "Having spoken these things, having welcomed all of them": This phrase encapsulates the culmination of Paul's farewell discourse. The "speaking" refers to his final words of exhortation and instruction, while "welcoming all of them" signifies a final embrace or affectionate reception, underscoring the deep bond formed.
• "he knelt down and prayed": This is the critical action. The singular "he" (referring to Paul, although some translations might render it to include the group depending on Greek textual variations which seem not to be the case for the Majority Text) kneeling portrays his personal submission to God, even in the midst of immense emotion and public setting. The communal "prayed" indicates a shared act of devotion, bringing closure to their time together through direct communication with the divine. The posture of kneeling was common for prayer in Jewish and early Christian tradition, signifying reverence, humility, and petition.

Acts 20 36 Bonus Section

The emotional intensity of this parting, described with "weeping," "embracing," and the poignant realization of not seeing Paul's face again (Acts 20:37-38), serves as a testament to the genuine human connections formed within the early church, guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul's selfless ministry and deep affection are mirrored in this concluding prayer, illustrating a pattern of leadership characterized by spiritual integrity, emotional investment, and absolute dependence on God. This act prepares the elders for the ongoing challenges they would face in leading the Ephesian church, anchoring them in prayer.

Acts 20 36 Commentary

Paul, after a profoundly moving and tearful farewell, exhibits remarkable spiritual composure. Despite the sorrow of separation from those he deeply loved and ministered to, he leads them in a final act of unified worship. The kneeling posture is not merely a physical act but a profound expression of humility before God and an acknowledgment of divine sovereignty over their lives and ministries. It underlines that true apostolic work is sustained by prayer and submitted to God's will, not by human strength or sentiment alone. This moment emphasizes that parting is never final for believers; they are committed to God's perpetual care. This final prayer solidifies their spiritual bond in Christ and commits their future to divine guidance.