Acts 20 37

Acts 20:37 kjv

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

Acts 20:37 nkjv

Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,

Acts 20:37 niv

They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.

Acts 20:37 esv

And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,

Acts 20:37 nlt

They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 37 Meaning

Acts 20:37 depicts a profoundly emotional farewell scene where the Ephesian elders express their deep love, sorrow, and devotion to the Apostle Paul. Their actions of weeping profusely, embracing him by falling on his neck, and repeatedly kissing him demonstrate the intense bond forged through shared faith and Paul's impactful, self-sacrificial ministry among them. It reflects the bittersweet nature of Christian fellowship and the pain of parting, especially with the anticipation that they might not see him again.

Acts 20 37 Context

Acts 20:37 occurs during Paul's farewell meeting with the elders from the church in Ephesus, whom he had specifically called to Miletus (Acts 20:17). This entire chapter describes Paul's journey back to Jerusalem and his deep conviction about his impending suffering, including possible imprisonment and death. The specific context leading to this verse is Paul's lengthy and poignant valedictory address to these elders (Acts 20:18-35). He reminds them of his blameless and dedicated ministry among them, full of humility, tears, and trials. He then charges them to shepherd the flock of God and warns them of future dangers from "savage wolves" (false teachers) who would not spare the flock (Acts 20:29). Paul commends them to God and the word of His grace, which is able to build them up. He then models sacrificial giving, recalling Jesus' words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This powerful, heartfelt sermon, full of deep theological instruction, pastoral warning, and personal example, culminates in a kneeling prayer (Acts 20:36), immediately followed by the outpouring of emotion described in verse 37. Their sorrow is particularly acute because Paul has just stated that they would "see my face no more" (Acts 20:25) and "You will see my face no more" (Acts 20:38), highlighting their profound grief at the thought of a final earthly separation. This emotional climax underscores the deep, relational nature of Christian ministry and community.

Acts 20 37 Word analysis

• And they all (Πάντες - Pantes): "All" emphasizes the universality of the emotional reaction among the elders present, not just a few. This communal weeping highlights a shared spiritual connection and affection for Paul across the leadership.

• wept (ἔκλαιον - eklaion): This is an imperfect tense verb (from κλαίω - klaio), suggesting continuous or repeated weeping. It wasn't a fleeting tear, but a prolonged, intense expression of sorrow, grief, and emotional distress. It conveys deep lamentation, often audible.

• sore (ἱκανῶς - hikanōs): Although some texts omit it, many ancient manuscripts include this adverb, meaning "sufficiently, intensely, much, greatly." When present, it amplifies the verb "wept," emphasizing the great extent and profound depth of their lamentation. Their tears flowed freely and without restraint, indicative of extreme sorrow.

• and fell (ἐπιπεσόντες - epipesontes): An aorist participle (from ἐπιπίπτω - epipipto), meaning "falling upon." This action is immediate and deliberate. It implies a collapse onto Paul, often seen in the ancient world as a gesture of profound emotion—either grief, joy, or submission. Here, it signifies the overwhelming nature of their sorrow and affection.

• on Paul's neck (ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον τοῦ Παύλου - epi ton trachēlon tou Paulou): This specific physical gesture is deeply significant in the ancient Near East and Hellenistic world. It indicates an embrace of deep affection, love, reconciliation, or profound farewell. It's an intimate and symbolic act, as seen in many biblical reunion narratives, emphasizing deep interpersonal bonding. It shows a complete surrender to the emotion of the moment, seeking close physical proximity as a comfort in parting.

• and kissed him (κατεφίλουν - katephiloun): This is an imperfect tense verb (from καταφιλέω - kataphileo), meaning "kissed repeatedly, kissed fervently, kissed down upon." The prefix "kata-" intensifies the verb "phileo" (to kiss), implying a showering of kisses, an expression of strong, deep love, devotion, respect, and regret. This wasn't a formal peck, but an passionate and affectionate outpouring of their hearts, conveying reverence and deep attachment.

• Wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him: This phrase vividly portrays an emotionally overwhelming scene. The sequence of actions—weeping leading to an embrace and repeated kissing—indicates a complete release of suppressed emotion. It underscores the extraordinary impact Paul had on these spiritual leaders and the depth of the mutual love that characterized their relationships in the early church. It illustrates Christian love not as mere intellectual assent but as profound, deeply felt human connection rooted in shared faith and ministry, especially in the face of anticipated loss.

Acts 20 37 Bonus section

The intense physical demonstration of emotion—the embrace around the neck and repeated kisses—was a common expression of profound affection and farewell in the ancient Near East, not specific to any one culture but widely understood. Its presence here testifies to the cultural context of the New Testament while elevating these actions to a spiritual demonstration of fellowship in Christ. The choice of the Greek verb "καταφιλέω" (kataphileo) instead of the more common "φιλέω" (phileo) for "kiss" further underscores the fervency and multitude of kisses, much like Judas's "κατεφίλησεν" in betrayal, where the intensifier serves to denote an extreme act. Here, it denotes extreme love and devotion, mirroring the emotional depth. The elders’ overwhelming grief reveals the value they placed not only on Paul’s apostolic teaching but also on his person and the relationship he meticulously built through sincere service and pastoral care. This farewell is effectively the last opportunity for intimate connection they believed they would have with him, hence the torrent of emotion.

Acts 20 37 Commentary

Acts 20:37 encapsulates one of the most poignant moments in Paul's ministry, serving as a powerful illustration of the profound bonds formed within the early Christian community. It showcases the genuine, unfiltered human emotion that undergirds authentic spiritual leadership and discipleship. The Ephesian elders, deeply impacted by Paul's transparent, tearful, and sacrificial ministry, responded with an equally deep and tearful farewell. Their collective weeping, embracing, and fervent kissing were not just social customs, but heartfelt expressions of sorrow over Paul's departure and the grim prospect of never seeing him again on earth, as he had implied (Acts 20:25, 38).

This scene highlights several vital aspects:

1. The relational nature of ministry: It wasn't just Paul's doctrine, but his life, his tears (Acts 20:19), and his evident love that resonated so deeply with these leaders. Ministry is not merely informational but deeply relational, forging bonds of love and loyalty.
2. The cost of discipleship: Both for the minister and the disciples, the journey involves real emotion, real sacrifice, and sometimes, real pain of separation.
3. Authentic Christian love: The intensity of their grief signifies a love that transcends duty, a spiritual family bond forged in shared faith, hardship, and gospel proclamation. This love is tangible and expressed overtly, in contrast to the detached or merely formal interactions found in some religious settings.

In a practical sense, this verse encourages believers to cultivate deep, authentic relationships within the church, where expressions of love, sorrow, and devotion are not hidden. It reminds leaders that genuine impact often involves shared vulnerability and tears.