Acts 20:7

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 20:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Acts 20:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.

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 upon the first day of the week, etc.] Or Lord’s day, (<660110>Revelation 1:10) and which Justin Martyr calls Sunday; on which day, he says f994, all, both in city and country, met in one place for religious worship; and on this day, it appears from hence, and from other places, that the apostles and primitive churches did meet together for religious exercises; (see <432019>John 20:19,26 <461602>1 Corinthians 16:2) and so they did at Troas at this time, as follows: when the disciples came together to break bread; not to eat a common meal, or to make a feast, or grand entertainment for the apostle and his company, before they departed; but, as the Syriac version renders it, “to break the…”
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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
“upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together--This, compared with Co1 16:2, and other similar allusions, plainly indicates that the Christian observance of the day afterwards distinctly called "the Lord's Day," was already a fixed practice of the churches. Paul preached--discoursed. The tense implies continued action--"kept discoursing."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And upon the first day of the week - Showing thus that this day was then observed by Christians as holy time. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10. To break bread - Evidently to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Compare Acts 2:46. So the Syriac understands it, by translating it, “to break the eucharist”; that is, the eucharistic bread. It is probable that the apostles and early Christians celebrated the Lord’s Supper on every Lord’s day. And continued his speech until midnight - The discourse of Paul continued until the breaking of day, Acts 20:11. But it was interrupted about midnight by the accident that occurred to Eutychus. The fact that Paul was about to leave them on the next day,…”
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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
“To break bread - That is, to celebrate the Lord's Supper; continued his discourse - Through uncommon fervour of spirit. Acts 20:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:7-12 On the first day of the week the early church commemorated Jesus’ resurrection (see Mark 16:9; cp. John 20:19; Rev 1:10). • This was Paul’s last visit to Troas, which included gathering to share in the Lord’s Supper. This meal probably included both communion and a common meal (cp. Acts 2:42, 46; Jude 1:12). • The remarkable feature of this gathering was the understated miraculous restoration of Eutychus, the young man who fell asleep on a windowsill and dropped three stories to his death (cp. Acts 9:36-41).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the first: Joh 20:1, Joh 20:19, Joh 20:26; Co1 16:2; Rev 1:10 the disciples: Co1 11:17-21, Co1 11:33, Co1 11:34 to break: Act 20:11, Act 2:42, Act 2:46; Luk 22:19, Luk 24:35; Co1 10:16, Co1 11:20-34 and continued: Act 20:9, Act 20:11, Act 20:31, Act 28:23; Neh 8:3, Neh 9:3; Co1 15:10; Ti2 4:2 Acts 20:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification