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 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 45:14 | "And he fell on his brother Joseph's neck and wept..." | Shows emotional reunions/partings in Scripture. |
| Job 2:11 | "When Job’s three friends heard of all this calamity that had befallen him..." | Friends' grief at their companion's suffering. |
| Ps 31:12 | "I am forgotten as though I were dead..." | Feelings of abandonment or being forgotten. |
| Ps 137:1 | "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept..." | Expressions of deep sorrow and lamentation. |
| Isa 13:7 | "Therefore all hands will be feeble, and all knees will turn to water..." | Physical manifestation of intense fear/grief. |
| Luke 19:41 | "And when he drew near the city, he wept over it..." | Jesus' sorrow over Jerusalem. |
| John 11:35 | "Jesus wept." | Shortest verse, showing Jesus' deep empathy. |
| Acts 18:18 | "Paul stayed there for a considerable time..." | Previous parting situations of Paul. |
| Acts 19:21 | "Now when these things had come to pass, Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia..." | Paul's plans to travel, implying departures. |
| Acts 20:25 | "And now, behold, I know that all you among whom I have gone proclaiming the kingdom will see my face no more." | The direct statement preceding this verse. |
| Acts 20:28 | "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers..." | Paul's instruction to the elders regarding flock care. |
| Acts 20:31 | "Therefore be watchful, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish each one with tears." | Paul's emotional investment and weeping during ministry. |
| Rom 1:9 | "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers," | Paul's constant remembrance and prayer for others. |
| Rom 9:2 | "that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart." | Paul's deep emotional pain for his countrymen. |
| 1 Cor 16:7 | "For I hope to see you for a while as I pass on my way..." | Paul's desire for future meetings. |
| 2 Cor 1:3 | "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort," | God as the source of comfort in affliction. |
| Phil 1:8 | "For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with affection of Christ Jesus." | Paul's deep affection for believers. |
| Phil 2:19-23 | "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered by news of you." | Sending others to check on churches, showing care. |
| 1 Thess 2:17 | "But we, brethren, having been snatched away from you for a brief time, in person not in heart, rejoiced even more eagerly..." | Experience of separation but continued spiritual connection. |
| 1 Thess 3:10 | "...night and day praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and might complete what is lacking in your faith?" | Desire to see believers again to strengthen them. |
| 2 Tim 1:4 | "as I recall your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy." | Similar sentiment of longing for a joyful reunion. |
| Philemon 1:20 | "Yes, brother, may I have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ." | Personal appeal for comfort and spiritual refreshment. |
Acts 20 verses
Acts 20 38 Meaning
This verse expresses profound sorrow and grief experienced by Paul's Ephesian companions at their final meeting, particularly for his words about not seeing them again. It highlights the deep emotional bond and mutual affection between the apostle and the believers he ministered to. The verse emphasizes the pain of separation and the anticipation of future reunion through the "face to face" meeting in the heavenly realm, or possibly a future earthly meeting.
Acts 20 38 Context
The immediate context of Acts 20:38 is Paul's farewell address to the elders of the Ephesian church at Miletus. He has just declared that they will see his face no more (Acts 20:25) and exhorted them to remain faithful. This verse records the emotional reaction of the Ephesian elders to his words. Historically, Paul's ministry involved extensive travel and significant emotional investment in the churches he planted. This particular parting was poignant because of the strong relationship he had cultivated with the Ephesians over a three-year ministry. The Ephesian church was a significant center for early Christianity, and its leaders would have felt the impact of Paul's departure deeply.
Acts 20 38 Word analysis
δραστοῦντες (drastountes): This is a present participle of a verb meaning "to groan" or "to be deeply grieved." It signifies an audible expression of pain or distress.
ἐπιπίπτοντες (epipiptontes): This present participle comes from a verb meaning "to fall upon" or "to fall over." When combined with "groaning," it suggests a heavy, overwhelming sadness that caused them to fall upon or around Paul, a physical manifestation of their distress.
τῷ (tō): The definite article, dative singular masculine, referring to "neck" (scalc to be added in the next word).
φαμῳ (phamō): Dative singular of φάων (phaōn), an poetic or rare form of cổ (phaios) which means "neck." It indicates the physical action of falling upon the neck, a gesture of intense affection, sorrow, and longing for embrace or connection, common in ancient cultures during partings.
φιλοῦντες (philountes): This present participle from φιλέω (phileō) means "loving" or "kissing." Here it denotes an action of affection or affectionate demonstration, often involving embrace and tears.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "groaning and falling on his neck": This phrase paints a vivid picture of intense, uninhibited grief and affection. The groaning is an inward and outward expression of deep sorrow, while falling on the neck is a physical action that signifies extreme emotional attachment, lament, and the pain of separation, often implying a desire to hold on and not let go.
Acts 20 38 Bonus section
The physical gesture of falling on someone's neck is repeated in Scripture in moments of reunion and reconciliation, such as Joseph and Jacob (Gen 45:14) or Paul and the Roman believers he anticipated seeing (Rom 15:24, though this verse discusses a future, not past, event). The inclusion of "kissing" (though implied by the context of such actions) further emphasizes the warmth and intimacy of their relationship. This display of emotion stands in contrast to Stoic ideals of emotional detachment and shows the vibrant, relational aspect of New Testament faith.
Acts 20 38 Commentary
The reaction of the Ephesian elders underscores the profound personal relationships Paul forged during his ministry. Their groaning and falling on his neck wasn't mere sentimentality but a heartfelt expression of genuine love, sorrow, and shared experience. This deeply human response to parting reflects the nature of the early church, where leaders and apostles were not distant figures but mentors with whom believers shared intimate fellowship and emotional bonds. Their grief also highlights their understanding of the significant spiritual loss their church faced with Paul's impending departure, especially in light of his warnings about future wolves.