Acts 20:25

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 20:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
Acts 20:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And now behold, etc.] This is not only a note of asseveration, but of attention, stirring up to observe what is here asserted: I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more; the sense is, that none of them should ever see him again, none of the churches of Asia, or the members of them; among whom he had been some years preaching the Gospel, the things concerning the Messiah, his kingdom and glory, and the meetness of the saints for, and their right unto the heavenly inheritance, prepared by God, and given by him to all that love him: Beza’s ancient copy reads, “the kingdom of Jesus”: this the apostle knew by divine revelation, by the same…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I know that ye all . . . shall see my face no more--not an inspired prediction of what was certainly to be, but what the apostle, in his peculiar circumstances, fully expected. Whether, therefore, he ever did see them again, is a question to be decided purely on its own evidence.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I know that ye all - Perhaps this means simply, “I have no expectation of seeing you again; I have every reason to suppose that this is my final interview with you.” He expected to visit Ephesus no more. The journey to Jerusalem was dangerous. Trials and persecutions he knew awaited him. Besides, it is evident that he designed to turn his attention to other countries, and to visit Rome; and probably he had already formed the purpose of going into Spain. See Acts 19:21; compare Romans 15:23-28. From all these considerations it is evident that he had no expectation of being again at Ephesus. It is probable, however, that he did again return to that city. See the notes on Acts 28:31. Among whom…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye shall see my face no more - He wisely inserts this, that what follows might make the deeper impression. Acts 20:27”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I know: Act 20:38; Rom 15:23 preaching: Act 8:12, Act 28:31; Mat 4:17, Mat 4:23, Mat 10:7, Mat 13:19, Mat 13:52; Luk 9:60, Luk 16:16 see: Gal 1:22; Col 2:1 Acts 20:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification