Acts 20 38

Acts 20:38 kjv

Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Acts 20:38 nkjv

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

Acts 20:38 niv

What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Acts 20:38 esv

being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Acts 20:38 nlt

They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 38 Meaning

Acts 20:38 describes the profound sorrow and distress felt by the Ephesian elders as they parted ways with the Apostle Paul. Their grief stemmed primarily from Paul's poignant declaration that they would not see his face again in this earthly life. This verse captures a moment of intense emotional connection between a spiritual leader and his flock, culminating in their final escort to his ship, marking the end of their physical fellowship with him.

Acts 20 38 Context

Acts 20:38 is the poignant culmination of Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:17-38). This emotionally charged encounter is significant because Paul, facing an uncertain future in Jerusalem, had gathered these leaders for what he foresaw as their last personal meeting. In his speech, he recounted his blameless ministry among them, exhorted them to shepherd the church, warned against false teachers, and emphasized selflessness and hard work. He had explicitly stated in verse 25, "And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will ever see my face again." The entire discourse is heavy with the gravity of his impending departure and the realization of permanent physical separation, underscoring the deep bond he shared with the Ephesian church leaders.

Acts 20 38 Word analysis

• Grieving (οδυνωμενοι - odynōmenoi): This participle denotes a strong, intense emotional suffering, akin to physical anguish. It's more than mere sadness; it implies deep distress and pain of mind or spirit. This highlights the profound impact Paul's departure had on them, signifying their heartfelt attachment.
• most of all (μαλιστα - malista): An intensifying adverb. It stresses that out of all the reasons for their sorrow (Paul's departure, the dangers he faced, the challenges ahead for the church), the primary and overwhelming cause of their anguish was the realization of their permanent separation from him.
• because of his statement (επι τω λογω ω ειρηκει - epi tō logō hō eirēkei):
  • λογω (logō): "Word" or "message." Here, it specifically refers to Paul's prophecy in Acts 20:25 that they would not see his face again. It emphasizes the direct and specific cause of their grief.
  • ειρηκει (eirēkei): Perfect active indicative of "to say," meaning "he had said" or "he had spoken." It highlights the finality and definitive nature of Paul's pronouncement.
• that they would not see (μηκετι μελλειν αυτους... θεωρειν - mēketi mellein autous... theōrein):
  • μηκετι (mēketi): "No longer," "no more." It establishes the permanency of the separation.
  • μελλειν (mellein): "To be about to," "to be destined to." Used with "no longer," it conveys the inevitability that their seeing of Paul's face was not to occur again. It signifies a future that would exclude Paul's personal presence.
  • θεωρειν (theōrein): "To see," "to gaze upon," "to behold." This verb implies a continuous, observant viewing, often with an emotional connection, rather than a quick glance. It underscores the loss of sustained personal fellowship and direct teaching.
• his face (το προσωπον αυτου - to prosōpon autou): "Face" (Greek: prosōpon) often represents the entire person or presence. To "see one's face" implies intimate, personal fellowship, direct instruction, and the comforting assurance of physical proximity. The loss of Paul's "face" signifies the end of their cherished personal access to him.
• And so they accompanied him (προεπεμπον δε αυτον - proepempon de auton):
  • προεπεμπον (proepempon): "To send forward," "to escort," "to accompany on a journey." This was a common custom of honor, hospitality, and affection for departing guests or leaders. It reflects their love and respect, extending their time with him for as long as possible.
• to the ship (εις το πλοιον - eis to ploion): The literal endpoint of their farewell, signifying the physical means of Paul's departure and the finality of their separation.

Acts 20 38 Bonus section

• The profound emotional response depicted here provides insight into the nature of apostolic leadership and discipleship. It was not merely doctrinal transmission but deep personal investment, fostering bonds of love and loyalty.
• Paul's prophecy (Acts 20:25) came to pass; there is no biblical record of Paul returning to Ephesus or meeting these specific elders again after this departure from Miletus. This highlights the accuracy of his divinely-inspired foresight regarding his missionary journeys.
• The scene serves as an archetype for goodbyes within the Christian community, illustrating that even with hope in Christ, physical separation and loss are natural causes for genuine sorrow. This verse implicitly affirms that godly sorrow is not incompatible with faith but is a testament to the depth of our human connections.

Acts 20 38 Commentary

Acts 20:38 encapsulates a deeply human and spiritual moment of farewell, rich in theological implications. The raw emotion expressed by the Ephesian elders—"grieving most of all" (odynōmenoi malista)—speaks volumes about the transformative power of Paul's ministry and the genuine affection forged through shared faith and discipleship. Their sorrow was not merely at his leaving, but at the finality of his stated prophecy that they would not see him again in person. This underscores the importance of face-to-face fellowship, direct teaching, and the tangible presence of a spiritual mentor in the early church. The elders' physical act of accompanying Paul "to the ship" (προεπεμπον δε αυτον εις το πλοιον) serves as a poignant visual of their lingering desire for his presence, performing a final act of devotion and honor, even as their hearts were breaking. This scene reminds us of the value of spiritual relationships and the pain of their cessation, even while pointing to the hope of a future reunion in Christ for believers.