Acts 20:38
What does Acts 20:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:38 means
They grieve most because Paul said they would not see his face again. This underlines the finality of the moment. Yet they do not cling to him; they accompany him to the ship. Their sorrow coexists with submission to God’s purpose. The church’s life rests not on one man’s presence but on the Lord and the word of His grace. Paul’s departure is a living lesson in trusting Christ with both leaders and congregations. The scene closes with faithful friends walking a beloved shepherd to the next stage of obedience, confident that the Lord who purchased the church will keep it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000sorrowing 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901sorrowing 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Being sad most of all because he had said that they would not see his face again. And so they went with him to the ship.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862sorrowing most of all for the word that he had said--that they are about no more to see his face; and they were accompanying him to the ship.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Being grieved most of all for the word which he had said, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him on his way to the ship.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890specially pained by the word which he had said, that they would no more see his face. And they went down with him to the ship.
Context
The chapter ends with a poignant farewell. From the riot’s aftermath to the journey through Macedonia and Greece, from the Troas miracle to the Miletus address, Luke has traced Paul’s steady path toward Jerusalem. The elders’ sorrow and escort to the ship underscore the cost of mission and the depth of Christian bonds. This conclusion sets up the next chapter’s movement toward Jerusalem, where the Spirit’s warnings will unfold, and God’s purposes will continue through Paul’s courageous witness.
v.37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
v.38This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 20:25
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
- 1 Corinthians 16:11
let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.
- 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 15:3
They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
- Acts 21:16
And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Cæsarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
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