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Acts Chapter 20

New Testament Historical 38 Verses

What is Acts 20 about?

The Spirit-empowered expansion of the church from Jerusalem to Rome under the apostles Peter and Paul. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.
3And when he had spent three months [there,] and a plot was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, [the son] of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days.
7And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
8And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.
9And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.
10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him.
11And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.
13But we going before to the ship set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.
14And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.
16For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time,
19serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
20how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,
21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
26Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
28Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
29I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
30and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
32And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build [you] up, and to give [you] the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
33I coveted no man`s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.
37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul`s neck and kissed him,
38sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.
← Acts 19Acts 21 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And after the uproar was ceased, etc.] Which Demetrius, and the craftsmen, had raised at Ephesus, and which was put an end to by the speech of the town clerk, or register keeper of the theatre: Paul called unto him the disciples; the members of the church at Ephesus, whom he convened, either at his own lodgings, or at their usual place of meeting: and embraced them; or “saluted them”; that is, with a kiss, which was sometimes done at parting, as well as at meeting; (see <442037>Acts 20:37) and so the Syriac version renders it, and “kissed” them, and so took his leave of them, and bid them farewell; the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“PAUL FULFILS HIS PURPOSE OF PROCEEDING AGAIN TO MACEDONIA AND GREECE--RETURNING THENCE, ON HIS ROUTE FOR JERUSALEM, HE REVISITS PHILIPPI AND TROAS--HIS MINISTRATIONS AT TROAS. (Act 20:1-12) departed--after Pentecost (Co1 16:8). to go into Macedonia--in pursuance of the first part of his plan (Act 19:21). From his Epistles we learn; (1) That, as might have been expected from its position on the coast, he revisited Troas (Co2 2:12; see on Act 16:8). (2) That while on his former visit he appears to have done no missionary work there, he now went expressly "to preach Christ's Gospel," and found "a door opened unto…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The uproar - The tumult excited, by Demetrius and the workmen. After it had been quieted by the town-clerk, Acts 19:40-41. Embraced them - Saluted them; gave them parting expressions of kindness. Compare the Luke 7:45 note; Romans 16:16 note; 1 Corinthians 16:20 note; 2 Corinthians 13:12 note; 1 Thessalonians 5:26 note; 1 Peter 5:14 note. The Syriac translates this, “Paul caned the disciples, and consoled them, and kissed them.” To go into Macedonia - On his way to Jerusalem, agreeably to his purpose, as recorded in Acts 19:21. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“After the tumult was ceased - So Demetrius gained nothing. Paul remained there till all was quiet. Acts 20:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“20:1-2 Paul traveled to Macedonia, where he encouraged the believers in all the towns, including Thessalonica, Philippi, and Berea. He also continued to gather the offering for the needy in Jerusalem (see Rom 15:25-28; 2 Cor 8:1–9:15). Titus met Paul in Macedonia with a report from Corinth, which prompted Paul to write 2 Corinthians and send Titus back carrying it (2 Cor 7:5-7; 8:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“after: Acts 19:23-41 embraced: Act 20:10, Act 20:37, Act 21:5, Act 21:6; Gen 48:10; Sa1 20:41, Sa1 20:42; Rom 16:16; Co1 16:20; Co2 13:12; Th1 5:26 to go: Act 19:21; Co1 16:5; Co2 7:5; Ti1 1:3 Acts 20:2”
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