Devine Scripture

Acts 20:37

What does Acts 20:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 20:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 20:37 means

The elders weep greatly, embrace Paul, and kiss him. Their grief reflects real love formed through shared years of ministry, instruction, and hardship. Such affection is not sentimentalism but evidence of the gospel’s power to knit hearts together. The outward displays—falling on his neck, multiple kisses—fit the culture’s expressions of deep respect and sorrow. Love does not lessen obedience to God’s call but makes parting costly. This verse shows that Christian leadership is relational at its core, and that faithful service leaves behind not merely structures, but people profoundly changed and bound in Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they were all weeping, falling on Paul's neck and kissing him,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there came a great weeping to all, and having fallen upon the neck of Paul, they were kissing him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there was much weeping among them all. And falling on the neck of Paul, they kissed him,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they all wept sore; and falling upon the neck of Paul they ardently kissed him,

Context

Following prayer, the farewell becomes tangible and emotional. Verse 37 captures the communal grief; verse 38 will specify that their deepest sorrow is over Paul’s word that they would see him no more, and then they escort him to the ship. These closing scenes round out the chapter, moving from doctrine and warnings to love and loss under God’s hand, as Paul continues the journey that will bring him to Jerusalem and further trials.

v.36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.

v.37This passage

v.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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 46:29

    And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen; and he presented himself unto him, and fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:26

    Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.

  • Psalms 126:5

    They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

  • Genesis 45:14

    And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

  • Ezra 10:1

    Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together unto him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very sore.

  • Revelation 21:4

    and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.

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