Acts 20
Through Macedonia and Greece
1After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
3When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.
7On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight.
8There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together.
9A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead.
10Paul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”
11When he had gone up, had broken bread and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.
12They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
13But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.
14When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and came to Mitylene.
15Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.
16For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
17From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the assembly.
18When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,
19serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
20how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,
21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
22Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;
23except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.
24But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
25“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.
26Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,
27for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
28Take heed, therefore, to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.
29For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
32Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33I coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing.
34You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
35In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
38sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Paul concludes his third missionary journey by traveling through Macedonia and Greece, accompanied by representatives from various churches. During a farewell gathering in Troas, he miraculously restores young Eutychus to life after the man falls from a window during Paul's lengthy sermon. The chapter culminates with Paul's emotional farewell address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, where he reflects on his ministry, warns of future challenges, and commends them to God's care as he prepares for his final journey to Jerusalem.
Context
This chapter transitions from Paul's successful third missionary journey to his final, fateful journey to Jerusalem, setting up the arrest and trials that will dominate the remainder of Acts.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-6Journey Through Macedonia and GreecePaul travels with companions through Macedonia and Greece, avoiding a Jewish plot by changing his travel route.
- 7-12Eutychus Restored at TroasDuring Paul's extended sermon, young Eutychus falls from a window and dies but is miraculously restored to life.
- 13-16Travel to MiletusPaul and his companions sail toward Jerusalem, bypassing Ephesus to save time for reaching Jerusalem by Pentecost.
- 17-24Paul's Ministry ReflectionPaul summons the Ephesian elders and reflects on his faithful service, upcoming trials, and commitment to complete his mission.
- 25-31Warnings and ExhortationsPaul warns of false teachers who will arise and exhorts the elders to shepherd the church faithfully.
- 32-38Final Commendation and FarewellPaul commends the elders to God's grace, emphasizes generous giving, and shares an emotional farewell.
Through Macedonia and Greece
20:1–20:12Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece with companions, and during a lengthy evening gathering in Troas, he miraculously restores young Eutychus to life after the boy falls from a window and dies.
person_contrast
Paul's marathon midnight sermon in Troas uniquely combines his typical fellowship emphasis with extraordinary miraculous power, creating the only New Testament account where prolonged teaching directly precedes resurrection.
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
20:13–20:38Paul delivers a farewell address to the Ephesian elders, reflecting on his ministry and warning them to shepherd the church faithfully. He expresses his commitment to complete his mission despite knowing suffering awaits him in Jerusalem.
person_contrast
Paul's emotional declaration "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" uses the rare Greek verb *hypostello*, appearing only here and Galatians 2:12 in contexts of courageous truth-telling.
Acts 20:3
Luke 1:56lexicalMary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
Acts 18:5lexicalWhen Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was…
Acts 26:2lexical“I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you today concerning all the things that I am a…
Acts 23:27lexical“This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, havi…
Acts 10:22lexicalThey said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the J…
Acts 20:4
Acts 27:2lexicalEmbarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus,…
Acts 19:29lexicalThe whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aris…
2 Thessalonians 1:1lexicalPaul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Thessalonians 1:1lexicalPaul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to…
Acts 20:7
Acts 27:43lexicalBut the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim shoul…
Acts 18:4lexicalHe reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Acts 2:46lexicalDay by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with…
Acts 25:23lexicalSo on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing wi…
Acts 13:44lexicalThe next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
Acts 20:16
Acts 19:26lexicalYou see and hear that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many…
1 Corinthians 16:8lexicalBut I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost,
Acts 21:4lexicalHaving found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Je…
Acts 20:17
Revelation 1:11lexicalsaying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis,…
Acts 15:22lexicalThen it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and sen…
Acts 20:21
Acts 18:5lexicalWhen Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was…
Acts 14:1lexicalIn Iconium, they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and o…
Acts 18:4lexicalHe reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Romans 3:9lexicalWhat then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under…
Romans 1:16lexicalFor I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes,…
Acts 20:22
Acts 22:5lexicalas also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, an…
Acts 21:11lexicalComing to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at J…
Luke 24:13lexicalBehold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.
Acts 8:27lexicalHe arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethi…
Luke 2:25lexicalBehold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolati…
Acts 20:23
Acts 15:28lexicalFor it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
1 Thessalonians 1:6lexicalYou became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
John 1:33lexicalI didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descendi…
Acts 20:28
1 Peter 5:2lexicalshepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily; not for d…
1 Peter 3:5lexicalFor this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own hu…
Ephesians 5:27lexicalthat he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she sho…
Mark 12:36lexicalFor David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies t…
Acts 20:31
1 Thessalonians 2:9lexicalFor you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we pr…
Revelation 4:8lexicalThe four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day…
Acts 21:26lexicalThen Paul took the men, and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment…
Acts 20:33
1 Peter 1:18lexicalknowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things like silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed dow…
Acts 3:6lexicalBut Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, ge…
Acts 20:35
Acts 19:12lexicalso that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, a…
Acts 5:29lexicalBut Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Matthew 10:8lexicalHeal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
1 Corinthians 9:15lexicalBut I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rath…
1 Corinthians 14:5lexicalNow I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who pr…
Acts 20:36
Luke 22:41lexicalHe was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed,
Acts 9:40lexicalPeter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes…
Acts 21:5lexicalWhen those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way…
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