Acts 20:36
What does Acts 20:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:36 means
When Paul finishes speaking, he kneels and prays with them all. The scene shows that doctrine and duty must end in dependence. Prayer binds hearts to God and to one another, entrusting all warnings, charges, and examples to the Lord’s care. Kneeling expresses humility and urgency. The shared prayer becomes a sacred seal on the farewell, acknowledging that only God can keep the elders faithful, the flock guarded, and the mission fruitful. In the face of separation and suffering, the church’s reflex is not self-reliance but united petition to the God who hears.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And having said these words, he went down on his knees in prayer with them all.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And these things having said, having bowed his knees, with them all, he did pray,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with them all.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Context
This verse marks the transition from instruction to intercession. After a weighty address on leadership and danger, Paul leads the elders in prayer. The next verses (37–38) will narrate the emotional goodbye—tears, embraces, and grief at the prospect of never seeing Paul again. The prayerful posture frames the farewell as an act of faith, not despair, and prepares the party to accompany Paul to the ship as he continues toward Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 6:13
(for Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven);
- Ephesians 3:14
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,
- Philippians 4:6
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
- Acts 21:5
And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;
- Acts 7:60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
- Luke 22:41
And he was parted from them about a stone’s cast; and he kneeled down and prayed,
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