Acts 20:38
<< Acts 20:38 >>
New International Version (©1984)
What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

New Living Translation (©2007)
They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

English Standard Version (©2001)
being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

International Standard Version (©2008)
They were especially sorrowful because of what he had said-that they would never see his face again. Then they took him to the ship.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
But they were all the more pained about that statement which he said, that they were not going to see his face again; and they accompanied him to the ship.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The thought of not seeing Paul again hurt them most of all. Then they took Paul to the ship.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

American King James Version
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

American Standard Version
sorrowing 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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Being 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.

Darby Bible Translation
specially 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.

English Revised Version
Sorrowing 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Weymouth New Testament
grieved above all things at his having told them that after that day they were no longer to see his face. And they went with him to the ship.

World English Bible
sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Young's Literal Translation
sorrowing 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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Sorrowing most of all ... - This was a most tender and affectionate parting scene. It can be more easily imagined than described. We may learn from it:

(1) That the parting of ministers and people is a most solemn event, and should be one of much tenderness and affection.

(2) the effect of true religion is to make the heart more tender; to make friendship more affectionate and sacred; and to unite more closely the bonds of love.

(3) ministers of the gospel should be prepared to leave their people with the same consciousness of fidelity and the same kindness and love which Paul evinced. They should live such lives as to be able to look back upon their whole ministry as pure and disinterested, and as having been employed in guarding the flock, and in making known to them the whole counsel of God. So parting, they may separate in peace; and so living and acting, they will be prepared to give up their account with joy, and not with grief. May God grant to every minister the spirit which Paul evinced at Ephesus, and enable each one, when called to leave his people by death or otherwise, to do it with the same consciousness of fidelity which Paul evinced when he left his people to see their face no more.


Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

That they should see his face no more - This was a most solemn meeting, and a most affecting parting. The man who had first pointed out to them the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom they had been brought into so glorious a state of salvation, is now going away, in all likelihood, to be seen no more till the day in which the quick and dead shall stand before the throne of judgment. Such a scene, and its correspondent feelings, are more easily imagined than described.

1. As the disciples are stated to have come together on the first day of the week, we may learn from this that, ever since the apostolic times, the Lord's day, now the Christian Sabbath, was set apart for religious exercises; such as the preaching of God's holy word, and celebrating the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Besides its being the day on which our blessed Lord rose from the dead, the practice of the apostles and the primitive Church is an additional reason why we should religiously celebrate this first day of the week. They who, professing the Christian religion, still prefer the Jewish Sabbath, have little to support them in the New Testament. How prone is man to affect to be wise above what is written, while he is, in almost every respect, below the teaching so plainly laid down in the Divine word.

2. The charge of St. Paul to the pastors of the Church of Christ at Ephesus and Miletus contains much that is interesting to every Christian minister:

1. If he be sent of God at all, he is sent to feed the flock.

2. But, in order to feed them, he must have the bread of life.

3. This bread he must distribute in its due season, that each may have that portion that is suitable to time, place, and state.

4. While he is feeding others, he should take care to have his own soul fed: it is possible for a minister to be the instrument of feeding others, and yet starve himself.

5. If Jesus Christ intrust to his care the souls he has bought by his own blood, what an awful account will he have to give in the day of judgment, if any of them perish through his neglect! Though the sinner, dying in his sins, has his own blood upon his head, yet, if the watchman has not faithfully warned him, his blood will be required at the watchman's hand. Let him who is concerned read Ezekiel, Ezekiel 33:3-5, and think of the account which he is shortly to give unto God.

3. Tenderness and sympathy are not inconsistent with the highest state of grace. Paul warns his hearers day and night with tears. His hearers now weep sore at the departure of their beloved pastor. They who can give up a Christian minister with indifference, have either profited little under that ministry, or they have backslidden from the grace of God. The pastors should love as fathers, the converts as children; and all feel themselves one family, under that great head, Christ Jesus.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake,.... In Acts 20:25 it filled them with sorrow to part with him; but this was increased, and made almost intolerable by what he said,

that they should see his face no more: could they have hoped to have seen him again, it would have made their parting with him more easy; but to be told they should never see him more in this world, it cut them to the heart; which shows what a share the apostle had in their hearts and affections, and not without good reason: however, that they might have a sight of him as long as they could, they went along with him to see him take shipping, and to see the last of him.

And they accompanied him unto the ship: which lay at Miletus waiting for him.


Vincent's Word Studies

See (θεωρεῖν)

See on Luke 10:18. The word for steadfast, earnest contemplation suggests the interest and affection with which they looked upon his countenance for the last time.


Geneva Study Bible

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


People's New Testament

20:38 That they should see his face no more. This thought caused their greatest sorrow, but we have seen that it is probable that they did see him again. It was not, however, until after Acts was written. See PNT Ac 20:25.


Wesley's Notes

20:38 Sorrowing most for that word which he spake, that they should see his face no more - What sorrow will be in the great day, when God shall speak that word to all who are found on the left hand, that they shall see his face no more!


Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:28-38 If the Holy Ghost has made ministers overseers of the flock, that is, shepherds, they must be true to their trust. Let them consider their Master's concern for the flock committed to their charge. It is the church He has purchased with his own blood. The blood was his as Man; yet so close is the union between the Divine and human nature, that it is there called the blood of God, for it was the blood of Him who is God. This put such dignity and worth into it, as to ransom believers from all evil, and purchase all good. Paul spake about their souls with affection and concern. They were full of care what would become of them. Paul directs them to look up to God with faith, and commends them to the word of God's grace, not only as the foundation of their hope and the fountain of their joy, but as the rule of their walking. The most advanced Christians are capable of growing, and will find the word of grace help their growth. As those cannot be welcome guests to the holy God who are unsanctified; so heaven would be no heaven to them; but to all who are born again, and on whom the image of God is renewed, it is sure, as almighty power and eternal truth make it so. He recommends himself to them as an example of not caring as to things of the present world; this they would find help forward their comfortable passage through it. It might seem a hard saying, therefore Paul adds to it a saying of their Master's, which he would have them always remember; It is more blessed to give than to receive: it seems they were words often used to his disciples. The opinion of the children of this world, is contrary to this; they are afraid of giving, unless in hope of getting. Clear gain, is with them the most blessed thing that can be; but Christ tell us what is more blessed, more excellent. It makes us more like to God, who gives to all, and receives from none; and to the Lord Jesus, who went about doing good. This mind was in Christ Jesus, may it be in us also. It is good for friends, when they part, to part with prayer. Those who exhort and pray for one another, may have many weeping seasons and painful separations, but they will meet before the throne of God, to part no more. It was a comfort to all, that the presence of Christ both went with him and stayed with them.


Acts 15:3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.
Acts 20:25 "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again.
Acts 25:26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write.
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Accompanied Especially Face Grieved Grieving Longer Pained Sad Ship Sorrowing Specially Statement Word Words


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

that. 25

and. 15:3 21:5,16 1Co 16:11

Acts Chapter 20 Verse 38

Alphabetical: accompanied accompanying again And especially face grieved grieving had he him his most never not over see ship spoken statement that the them Then they to was were What which word would

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