Acts 20:7 kjv
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Acts 20:7 nkjv
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
Acts 20:7 niv
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
Acts 20:7 esv
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
Acts 20:7 nlt
On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord's Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight.
Acts 20 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 20:7 | And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread... | Passage itself |
| 1 Cor 16:2 | Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store... | First day of week, collection |
| John 20:1,19 | The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early... Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week... | Resurrection, disciples meeting |
| Luke 24:1,13 | Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning... And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village... | Resurrection, road to Emmaus |
| Acts 2:42 | And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. | Early church worship practice |
| 1 Cor 11:23-26 | For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread... For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. | Institution of the Lord's Supper |
| 1 Cor 10:16 | The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? | Meaning of breaking bread |
| Acts 21:14 | And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. | Submission to God's will |
| 1 Cor 11:20 | When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. | Distinction of Lord's Supper |
| Heb 10:25 | Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. | Importance of gathering |
| Rev 1:10 | I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, | Lord's Day mentioned in Revelation |
| Ps 118:24 | This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. | Old Testament reference to a special day |
| Deut 5:12 | Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it... | Sabbath commandment, day of rest/worship |
| John 13:1-17 | Now before the feast of the passover... | Washing of feet, servant leadership |
| Matt 28:1-10 | In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week... | Women at the tomb on the first day of week |
| Acts 18:21 | But bade him farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem... | Paul's plans |
| Acts 20:6 | And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. | Specific timeline context |
| 1 Cor 5:7-8 | Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened... Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. | Passover connection, spiritual purity |
| Acts 1:13 | And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room... | Upper room meeting |
| Acts 1:4 | And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father... | Waiting for the Holy Spirit |
| 1 Cor 12:13 | For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free... | Unity in the body of Christ |
Acts 20 verses
Acts 20 7 Meaning
The disciples gathered on the first day of the week to break bread, a common practice that signifies communion and remembrance of Christ. This was their regular meeting time.
Acts 20 7 Context
This verse occurs during Paul's third missionary journey. After spending time in Ephesus and traveling through Macedonia and Greece, Paul arrives in Troas. The disciples in Troas had gathered on the first day of the week. This specific day was chosen because it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, signifying a new beginning. The purpose of their gathering was to "break bread," which likely refers to sharing a communal meal that included the observance of the Lord's Supper, a memorial instituted by Jesus. Paul, who was with them, intended to stay for a week. The prolonged meeting on the first day of the week highlights the early church's practice of fellowship and worship, centered around Christ's resurrection and the Lord's Supper. This was a customary day for disciples to assemble and remember Christ's sacrifice and victory.
Acts 20 7 Word analysis
- And: (Greek: καί - kai) - A conjunction used to connect clauses or words, indicating addition or continuation.
- upon: (Greek: ἐν - en) - A preposition indicating "in," "on," "at," or "among." Here it signifies "on" the specific day.
- the: (Greek: τῇ - tē) - The definite article, specifying a particular instance.
- first: (Greek: μιᾷ - mia) - Feminine form of the numeral "one," indicating the initial day.
- day: (Greek: ἡμέρᾳ - hēmera) - Day, daylight, time.
- of: (Greek: τοῦ - tou) - The definite article used to show possession or relationship.
- the: (Greek: σαββάτου - sabbátou) - The Sabbath. Here, the genitive case suggests "of the week" or relating to the Sabbath timeframe. The full phrase "first day of the week" is rendered.
- when: (Greek: ὅτε - hote) - A temporal conjunction, "when."
- the: (Greek: τῶν - tōn) - The definite article, plural genitive.
- disciples: (Greek: μαθητῶν - mathētōn) - Disciples, learners, followers.
- came: (Greek: συνηγμένων - sunēgmenōn) - Present participle passive of sunagō (to gather together). It implies "having gathered together."
- together: (Implicit in sunēgmenōn) - Together.
- to: (Greek: κλάσαι - klāsai) - Infinitive of klazō (to break).
- break: (Greek: ἄρτον - arton) - Bread.
- bread: (Greek: κλάσαι ἄρτον - klāsai arton) - To break bread. This is an idiomatic expression in Greek.
- Phrase "to break bread" (κλάσαι ἄρτον - klāsai arton): This phrase in the New Testament can refer to a literal shared meal, or specifically to the Lord's Supper/Communion. Given the context of the disciples gathering on a special day and Paul being present, it strongly points to the observance of the Lord's Supper, a practice instituted by Jesus as a memorial of His sacrifice (1 Cor 11:23-26). It was also an expression of fellowship and community among believers. The practice was a core element of early Christian worship, connecting them to Christ and to one another.
Acts 20 7 Bonus Section
The emphasis on the "first day of the week" solidifies the transition from the Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday as the primary day of Christian worship. This shift is widely understood in Christian tradition to be a reflection of the New Covenant, sealed by Christ's resurrection on this day. While the Old Testament law commanded Sabbath observance, the early church progressively adopted the first day of the week as their day of assembly, honoring the resurrection event. This verse is a clear indicator of this practice already being established during the apostolic era.
Acts 20 7 Commentary
The gathering on the first day of the week for the breaking of bread demonstrates the foundational practices of the early Church. This day became significant for believers as it commemorated Christ's resurrection, the ultimate proof of His victory over sin and death. The "breaking of bread" signifies not only a communal meal but more importantly the participation in the Lord's Supper, a command from Christ Himself to remember Him. The assembly was a time of fellowship, spiritual nourishment, and reaffirmation of their faith in the resurrected Lord. Paul's presence and their extended stay indicate the importance of this community fellowship and teaching. It underscores the New Testament emphasis on corporate worship and spiritual community as vital for the life and growth of believers.