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

Acts 20:36 describes the culmination of Paul's emotional farewell address to the Ephesian elders. After sharing his heart, warnings, and final instructions, Paul initiated a solemn act of communal prayer. This verse highlights his leadership by example, humility, and the spiritual bond he shared with the elders, as he knelt with them all to intercede before his imminent and challenging journey to Jerusalem. It emphasizes the profound reliance on God through united prayer at a moment of significant transition and separation.

Acts 20 36 Context

Acts chapter 20 narrates Paul's third missionary journey, specifically his return through Macedonia and Greece, culminating in his meeting with the Ephesian elders at Miletus. Beginning from verse 17, Paul delivers a profound and poignant farewell discourse, reflecting on his past ministry among them, proclaiming the whole counsel of God, warning them of future dangers (false teachers, wolves), and encouraging them to shepherd God's flock. He shares his expectation of suffering in Jerusalem, his desire to finish his race, and emphasizes working diligently to help the weak, citing a previously unrecorded saying of Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Verse 36 marks the conclusion of this lengthy address, transitioning from teaching to fervent intercession, an emotional climax demonstrating spiritual leadership and deep affection before their final separation.

Acts 20 36 Word analysis

• And when he had thus spoken:
  • "And when he had thus spoken" (Greek: ταῦτα εἰπὼν - tauta eipōn): Literally "having said these things." This phrase serves as a connective, indicating the conclusion of his extensive preceding discourse (Acts 20:18-35). It signifies a pivot from verbal instruction to a physical, communal act of worship and intercession. It ties the prayer directly to the impactful words he had just shared, underscoring their seriousness.
• he kneeled down:
  • "he kneeled down" (Greek: θεὶς τὰ γόνατα - theis ta gonata): Literally "having placed the knees." This posture is a strong indicator of humility, submission, deep reverence, and earnest supplication. Unlike merely standing, kneeling is a physical manifestation of an intensely focused and often desperate plea or worship before God. It's a universal ancient posture for prayer, demonstrating humility before a divine authority, and signifying intense concentration and sometimes anguish or great need. It sets a physical tone of reverence and devotion for all present. In Jewish tradition, while standing was common, kneeling was reserved for specific, deeply earnest moments. Early Christians also adopted this practice, and Paul's example here reinforces its significance in apostolic leadership and communal worship.
• and prayed:
  • "and prayed" (Greek: προσηύξατο - proseuxato): This specific Greek verb denotes a more solemn and reverent form of prayer, directed towards God. It suggests not just talking, but making an appeal or offering worship. The action is immediate, flowing directly from his words, emphasizing that prayer is the appropriate response to profound teaching and imminent spiritual challenge.
• with them all:
  • "with them all" (Greek: σὺν πᾶσιν αὐτοῖς - syn pasin autois): "With all of them." This highlights the communal nature of the prayer. Paul didn't retreat to pray alone; he included every one of the Ephesian elders present. This inclusion fosters unity, mutual participation, and shared dependence on God. It reinforces their spiritual fellowship and collective responsibility, empowering them as joint petitioners and recipients of grace. It's a powerful statement of leadership that invites co-participation in spiritual discipline.
• words-group analysis:
  • "he kneeled down, and prayed": This sequence reveals Paul's transition from an authoritative teacher and passionate leader to a humble petitioner and intercessor. It models that effective spiritual leadership doesn't just involve speaking to God's people but also speaking with God's people to God. The physical act precedes the spiritual one, creating a powerful example of both submission and dependence. This leadership posture stands in contrast to proud or self-sufficient authority.
  • "and prayed with them all": This phrase emphasizes the corporate aspect of worship and intercession. It's not a private moment, but a shared experience that strengthens the bonds of fellowship and mutual reliance on divine help. In moments of great difficulty or transition, united prayer solidifies the community's spiritual foundation and common purpose.

Acts 20 36 Bonus section

• This specific act of kneeling for prayer at a critical juncture mirrors other significant biblical moments (e.g., Jesus in Gethsemane, Stephen before martyrdom), indicating the gravitas and intensity of the moment for Paul and the elders.
• Paul's consistent life of prayer, mentioned often in his letters, is here concretely demonstrated as a living example. His leadership was characterized not only by powerful preaching and teaching but also by persistent, humble prayer.
• The absence of the specific content of this prayer allows for its universal application, focusing on the act of prayer, its posture, and its communal nature as paramount in times of challenge and transition for the church.
• The profound emotional connection preceding this verse (Acts 20:37-38), where the elders wept and embraced Paul, indicates that the prayer was a natural outflow of their deep spiritual and personal bond, sanctifying their sorrow in shared hope.
• This moment reinforces the principle that while human wisdom and counsel are important, ultimate guidance, protection, and provision come through earnest seeking of God's will together.

Acts 20 36 Commentary

Acts 20:36 captures a poignant and powerful moment of apostolic leadership. Having poured out his heart to the Ephesian elders, Paul, through his actions, embodies the very humility and devotion he has implicitly called them to. His decision to kneel, a posture of profound reverence and earnest supplication, signifies his utter reliance on God rather than self-strength. The act of praying "with them all" emphasizes unity, communal dependence, and mutual spiritual solidarity, not merely Paul praying for them but with them. This serves as a vital example for all spiritual leaders: that even after delivering weighty counsel and instructions, the ultimate recourse and strength lies in collective, humble prayer to God. It provides a transition from exhortation to intercession, grounding his previous words in divine reliance for future success and perseverance in trials.