Acts 20

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 20

1¶ And 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.

7¶ And 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.

13¶ And 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.

17¶ And 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:

20[And] 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.›

36¶ And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

After the uproar in Ephesus, Paul traveled through Macedonia and Greece, exhorting the disciples. At Troas, he miraculously restored Eutychus to life after the young man fell from a window during Paul's lengthy sermon. Paul then journeyed to Miletus, where he delivered a poignant farewell address to the Ephesian elders, reflecting on his ministry, warning of future dangers, and preparing for his journey to Jerusalem.

Medium Summary

Paul departed Ephesus for Macedonia and Greece, providing much exhortation to the believers for three months. Avoiding a Jewish plot, he returned through Macedonia with several companions, eventually sailing from Philippi to Troas. There, on the first day of the week, Paul preached a long sermon, during which a young man named Eutychus fell from a third-story window and died, but Paul miraculously brought him back to life. Paul then continued his journey by ship, bypassing Ephesus to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, and arrived at Miletus. From Miletus, he sent for the Ephesian elders, reminding them of his humble and tearful ministry among them, teaching repentance and faith. He declared his spiritual compulsion to go to Jerusalem, despite prophecies of bonds and afflictions, resolute to finish his ministry. Paul solemnly warned them that they would see his face no more and charged them to shepherd the church against internal and external threats, emphasizing selfless service and the blessing of giving.

Long Summary

Following the disturbance in Ephesus, Paul embarked on a journey through Macedonia and Greece, providing much exhortation to the disciples for three months. When a Jewish plot against him arose as he prepared to sail to Syria, he altered his course, deciding to return through Macedonia, accompanied by several companions including Sopater, Aristarchus, and Timothy. After sailing from Philippi, they arrived in Troas, where they stayed for seven days. On the first day of the week, as the disciples gathered to break bread, Paul preached a lengthy sermon, continuing until midnight, knowing he must depart the next day. During this extended discourse, a young man named Eutychus, overcome by deep sleep, fell from a third-story window and was taken up dead. Paul descended, fell upon him, and embracing him, declared that his life was still in him, miraculously restoring the young man. After this, Paul returned upstairs, broke bread, ate, and continued talking until daybreak before finally departing, with the young man brought back alive, greatly comforting all. Paul's journey continued by ship, making stops at Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Trogyllium, ultimately arriving at Miletus, having intentionally bypassed Ephesus to save time, desiring to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost. From Miletus, Paul sent for the elders of the Ephesian church, and upon their arrival, he reminded them of his consistent and humble service among them, marked by tears and trials from Jewish opposition. He asserted that he withheld nothing profitable, teaching them publicly and from house to house, testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. Paul then revealed his spiritual compulsion to go to Jerusalem, knowing only that the Holy Ghost testified of impending bonds and afflictions, yet he counted his life as nothing if he could joyfully complete his ministry of testifying the gospel of God's grace. He solemnly declared that they would see his face no more, and therefore he charged them to be vigilant overseers of the flock, which the Holy Ghost made them to feed, warning of grievous wolves from outside and perverse teachers from within their own ranks. He reminded them of his three years of tearful warnings and commended them to God and the word of His grace, which can build them up and grant them an inheritance. Paul concluded by emphasizing his selfless ministry, having coveted no material possessions, and having worked with his own hands to support himself and his companions, teaching them to support the weak and remembering the Lord Jesus' words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” After this powerful address, he knelt and prayed with them, leading to a sorrowful farewell as they wept and embraced him, most grieved by his words that they would see his face no more, accompanying him to the ship.

Core Concepts

  • Miraculous RestorationPaul demonstrates divine power by miraculously restoring Eutychus to life after the young man falls from a third-story window and dies during Paul's sermon in Troas.
  • Paul's Farewell AddressAt Miletus, Paul delivers a deeply personal and prophetic speech to the Ephesian elders, reflecting on his past faithful ministry and foretelling future challenges and his own impending suffering.
  • Shepherding the FlockPaul charges the Ephesian elders to diligently oversee and protect the church, warning them against both external 'grievous wolves' and internal false teachers who will seek to draw away disciples.
  • Commitment to MinistryPaul expresses his unwavering resolve to complete his ministry of testifying the gospel of God's grace, even in the face of prophesied bonds and afflictions awaiting him in Jerusalem.
  • Selfless ServicePaul highlights his own example of humble and selfless ministry, having worked with his own hands to support himself and others, and teaching the principle that 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.'
  • Prophecy of DeparturePaul solemnly declares to the Ephesian elders that they will see his face no more, adding a poignant and sorrowful note to his farewell, emphasizing the finality of his departure from them.
  • Guidance by the SpiritPaul acknowledges being 'bound in the spirit' to go to Jerusalem, despite not knowing the specific events, save for the Holy Ghost's consistent warnings in every city of impending bonds and afflictions.