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Read Acts Chapter 20

Up and down arrows move from one verse to the next.

1And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

2And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

3And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

4And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

5These going before tarried for us at Troas.

6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

8And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

9And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

11When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

12And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

13And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

14And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

15And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

16For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

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

37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

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Explanation

Acts 20

In short

Paul travels around the eastern Mediterranean, facing danger from those who oppose him. On his journey, a young man falls from a window and dies, but Paul restores him to life. Paul then meets with church leaders and tells them he will not see them again, warning them to watch out for false teachers and to remember his example of hard work and generosity.

What the text says

Verses 1-6 describe Paul leaving after a disturbance, traveling through Macedonia and Greece to encourage the believers. When Jews plan to trap him, he changes route through Macedonia instead. Seven traveling companions join him, and they sail from Philippi to Troas in five days.

In verses 7-12, Paul speaks to the church on Sunday until midnight. A young man named Eutychus sits in a window, falls asleep during the long sermon, and drops from the third floor. Paul goes down, holds him, and says "his life is in him." The young man is brought back alive, and the group is comforted.

Verses 13-16 describe the sea journey to Miletus. Paul decides not to visit Ephesus to hurry toward Jerusalem for Pentecost.

Verses 17-27 contain Paul's speech to the Ephesian church elders. He reminds them how he served with humility and tears despite dangers. He preached to Jews and Greeks about turning to God and trusting Jesus. He says he is going to Jerusalem where the Holy Spirit warns him chains await him, but his life does not matter to him if he finishes his work. He knows he will not see them again and declares he has told them everything God requires.

Verses 28-35 contain warnings: care for the church as overseers, watch for false teachers who will arise, and remember Paul's three years of warnings with tears. Paul points to his own hands, which supported himself and others, and quotes Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Verses 36-38 show Paul kneeling to pray with them. All weep and kiss him, grieving that they will not see his face again, then walk him to the ship.

Takeaways

  • Paul shows his faithfulness by continuing his work despite knowing danger awaits him.
  • The church leaders are called to stay alert against false teachers and to imitate Paul's honest, self-supporting labor.
  • Paul's departure saddens those who know him because genuine Christian friendship runs deep.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.