Bible Commentaries
Acts 20

Verse 1

And = Now.

uproar = din. Greek. thorubos. Here, Acts 21:34 ; Acts 24:18 . Matthew 26:5 ; Matthew 27:24 .Mark 5:38 ; Mark 14:2 . Compare Acts 17:5 .

called unto . The texts and Syriac read comforted, or exhorted. App-134 .

embraced . Greek. aspazomai. Generally translated "salute", or "greet". Compare 2 Corinthians 13:12 .

for . Omit.

Macedonia . Compare verses: Acts 20:21 , Acts 20:22 .

Verse 2

those parts . Doubtless including Philippi, Thessalonica, &c.

given them much exhortation . Literally exhorted (Greek. parakaleo. App-134 .) them with many a word (Greek. logos. App-121 .)

Verse 3

abode three months . Literally having done three months. Compare Acts 15:33 ; Acts 18:23 . Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the species). App-6 . The whole period covered by verses: Acts 20:1-3 is about nine months.

when, &c . Literally a plot (Greek. epiboule. See Acts 9:24 ) having been made against him by (Greek. hupo. App-104 .) the Jews.

sail . Greek. anago. See note on Acts 13:13 .

he purposed . Literally his purpose or judgment was. Greek. gnome. App-177 .

Verse 4

accompanied = were accompanying. This was their purpose, but they went before and waited at Troas (Acts 20:5 ). Greek. sunepomai. Only here.

into = as far as.

Sopater . Shortened form of Sosipater, which is found in Romans 16:21 , but there is no connexion between the two persons. The texts add "son of Pyrrhus".

Aristarehus . See Acts 19:29 .

Secundus . Only here.

Gaius . Not the same as in Acts 19:29 .

Tychicus . See 1 Chronicles 4:7; 1 Chronicles 4:7 . 2 Timothy 3:12; 2 Timothy 3:12 . He was with Paul in his first and second imprisonments at Rome, and was twice sent by him to Ephesus, which was no doubt his native place, as it was that of Trophimus.

Trophimus . See Acts 21:29 . 2 Timothy 4:20 .

Verse 5

tarried = were waiting.

at = in. Greek. en . App-104 .

Troas . Compare Acts 16:8 . 2 Corinthians 2:12 .

Verse 6

sailed away . Greek. ekpleo. See note on Acts 15:39 .

Philippi: i.e. from Neapolis, its port.

days, &c . This was Passover, A.D. 57.

to . Greek. eis, as in Acts 20:1 .

five days . Compare Acts 16:11 .

abode . Greek. diatribo. See note on Acts 12:19 .

Verse 7

first, &c . = first day of the sabbaths, i.e. the first day for reckoning the seven sabbaths to Pentecost. It depended upon the harvest (Deuteronomy 16:9 ), and was always from the morrow after the weekly sabbath when the wave sheaf was presented (Leviticus 23:15 ). In John 20:1 this was the fourth day after the Crucifixion, "the Lord's Passover. "Compare App-156 . This was by Divine ordering. But in A.D. 57 it was twelve days after the week of unleavened bread, and therefore more than a fortnight later than in A.D. 29.

the disciples . The texts read "we".

came together = were gathered together, as in Acts 20:8 .

break bread . See note on Acts 2:42 .

preached . Greek. dialegomai. Often translated "reason". See note on Acts 17:2 .

unto = to.

ready = being about. Same as in verses: Acts 20:20 , Acts 20:3 , Acts 20:13 , Acts 20:38 ,

depart . Greek. exeimi. See note on Acts 13:42 .

continued = was extending. Greek. parateino. Only here.

his speech = the word. Greek. logos, as in Acts 20:2 .

Verse 8

lights . Greek. lampas. App-130 .

upper chamber . See note on Acts 1:13 .

gathered together . See note on Acts 20:7 .

Verse 9

sat = was sitting.

a = the.

window . Greek. thuris. Only here and 2 Corinthians 11:33 . It was an opening with

young man . Greek. neanias. See note on Acts 7:58 .

named = by name.

being fallen = being borne down. Greek. kataphero. Only in this verse and Acts 26:10 . "Sunk down" is the same word.

into = by (dat.)

long . Literally for (Greek. epi.) more (than usual).

third loft = third storey. Greek. tristegon. Only here.

dead = a corpse. App-139 . Greek. nekros.

Verse 10

embracing . Greek. sumperilambano. Only here. Compare 1 Kings 17:21 . 2 Kings 4:34 .

Trouble . . . yourselves . Greek. thorubeomai. See Acts 17:5 .

not . Greek. me . App-105 . It was midnight. Any loud outcry would have roused the neighbourhood and caused a scene.

life . Greek. psuche. App-110 and App-170 .

Verse 11

bread . The texts read "the bread", to support the idea that it was a Eucharistic service, but see note on Acts 20:7 and the references in Acts 2:42 .

talked . Greek. homileo. Only here, Acts 24:26 . Luke 24:14 , Luke 24:15 . Hence our word "homily", for a solemn discourse.

a long while = for (Greek. epi. App-104 .) long (time).

break of day . Greek. auge. Only here.

so . Emph. to call attention to the circumstances attending his departure.

Verse 12

young man . Greek. pais. App-108 . Not the same as Acts 20:9 .

a little = moderately. Greek. metrios. Only here. Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-6 .

comforted . Greek. parakaleo. App-134 . See Acts 20:2 . They were cheered by the miracle and Paul's words.

Verse 13

to ship = on board. Literally upon (Greek. epi . App-104 .) the ship.

intending = being about. Same as in verses: Acts 20:3 , Acts 20:7 , Acts 20:38 .

take in = receive on board.

had he appointed . Greek. diatasso. See note on Acts 7:44 .

minding = being about, as above

go afoot . Greek. pezeuo. Only here. The distance was twenty miles.

Verse 14

met . Greek. sumballo. See note on Acts 4:15 .

Verse 15

sailed thence, and = having sailed away. Greek. apopleo. See note on Acts 13:4 .

came = arrived. Greek. katantao. See note on Acts 16:1 .

next . Greek. epeimi. See note on Acts 7:26 .

over against . Greek. antikru. Only here.

next . Greek. heteros. App-124 .

arrived . Greek. paraballo. Only here and Mark 4:30 (compare, i.e. bring alongside).

next . Greek. echomai, to hold oneself near to. Note the three different words for "next" in this verse.

Verse 16

determined = decided. Greek. krino. App-122 . It was a question of taking a ship stopping at Ephesus or Miletus.

sail by . Greek. parapleo. Only here.

because . . . would = in order that he might.

spend the time . Greek. chronotribeo, wear away the time. Only here.

hasted = was hurrying on.

Pentecost . Compare Acts 20:7 .

Verse 17

Miletus . A city of great importance, as its remains show.

sent = having sent. Greek. pempo. App-174 .

Ephesus . The time taken in summoning the elders was much less than he would have had to spend there, besides which there was the danger of a renewal of the rioting.

called . Greek. metakaleo. See note on Acts 7:14 .

elders . Greek. presbuteros. See App-189 .

church . See App-186 .

Verse 18

unto = to.

know . Greek. epistamai. App-132 .

that = from (Greek. apo) which.

came . Greek. epibaino. Only here, Acts 21:2 , Acts 21:6 ; Acts 25:1 ; Acts 27:2 .Matthew 21:5 . Literally to go upon.

after what manner = how.

at all seasons = all the time.

Verse 19

Serving . Greek. douleuo. App-190 .

humility of mind . Greek. tapeinophrosune. Only here, Ephesians 4:2 .Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:3 .Colossians 2:18 , Colossians 2:23 ; Col 3:12 . 1 Peter 5:5 .

many . Omit.

temptations . Greek. peirasmos. Always translated as here, save in 1 Peter 4:12 . Here it means "trials", as in Luke 22:28 . See 2 Corinthians 11:26 .

by = in. Greek. en. App-104 .

lying in wait = plots, as in Acts 20:3 .

Verse 20

kept back . Greek. hupostello. Only here, Acts 20:27 . Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:12 .Hebrews 10:38 . A medical word, used of withholding food from patients.

nothing . Greek. oudeis.

that was profitable = of the things profitable.

but have, &c . Literally so as not (Greek. me) to shew and teach.

publickly . Greek. demosia. See note on Acts 5:18 .

from bouse to house = in your houses. Greek. kat' oikon, as in Acts 2:46 .

Verse 21

Testifying = witnessing. Greek. diamarturomai. See note on Acts 2:40 .

to the Jews, &c . = to. Jews and Greeks.

repentance . Greek. metanoia. App-111 .

faith . Greek. pistis. App-150 .

Jesus Cirist . App-98 .

Verse 22

behold . Greek. idou. App-133 . "And now, behold", repeated Acts 20:25 . Figure of speech Epibole. App-6 .

bound in the spirit = firmly resolved. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 .

spirit . App-101 .

knowing . Greek. eidon. App-133 .

befall = meet. Greek. sunantao. See note on Acts 10:25 . Not the same word as in Acts 20:19 .

Verse 23

Save = But only.

the Holy Ghost . App-101 .

witnesseth . Same word as testify, Acts 20:21 . The texts add "to me".

in every city . Greek. kata polin. Compare Acts 15:21 .

afflictions Greek. thlipsis. See note on Acts 7:10 .

abide = await or remain for. Greek. mino . See p. 1511.

Verse 24

none, &c . = I make of no (Greek. oudeis) account (Greek. logos) .

neither . Greek. oude.

count = hold.

dear = precious. Greek. timios. See note on Acts 5:34 .

finish . Greek. teleioo. App-125 . Only here in Acts. Often translated "perfect".

course . See note on Acts 13:25 . Ten years were yet to pass before this would be. See 2 Timothy 4:7 , 2 Timothy 4:8 .

joy . All the texts omit "with joy".

ministry . Greek. diakonia. App-190 .

of = from. Greek. para. App-104 . Jesus. App-98 .

the gospel, &c . App-140 .

grace . App-184 .

Verse 25

gone . Greek. dierchomai. See note on Acts 8:4 .

preaching . Greek. kerusso. App-121 .

the kingdom of God . App-114 . The texts omit "of God".

shall see . Greek. opsomai. App-133 .

no more = no longer. Greek. ouketi.

Verse 26

take you to record = am witnessed to by you. Greek. marturomai. Only here, Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:3 .Ephesians 4:17 . The texts add Acts 26:22 . 1 Thessalonians 2:11 for martureomai. Figure of speech Deisis. App-6 .

this day . Literally, in (Greek. en) the day of to-day.

pure, &c . Compare Acts 18:6 .

Verse 27

have . . . shunned = shunned or shrunk. Greek. hupostello. Same as "kept back", Acts 20:20 .

to . Literally not (Greek. me)

to . declare. Greek. anangello. See note on Acts 14:27 . Same as "shew", Acts 20:20 .

counsel . Greek. boule. App-102 . All the revealed purpose of God up to that time. The Prison Epistles, containing the final revelation of God's counsel, were not yet written.

Verse 28

Take heed . Greek. prosecho. The sixth occurs in Acts. See note on Acts 8:6 , Acts 8:10 , Acts 8:11 .

flock . Greek. poimnion, little flock. Only here, Acts 20:29 . Luke 12:32 . 1Pe 5:2 , 1 Peter 5:3 . For poimne, see John 10:16 .

over = in, or on. Greek. en. App-104 . Out of 2,622 occurances of en, it is rendered "over" only here.

overseers . Greek. epiakopos. Elsewhere translated "bishop". Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:1 . 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Timothy 1:7 . 1Pe 2:26 . They are called "elders", in Acts 20:17 , which makes it clear that "elders" ( presbuteroi ) and bishops ( episkopoi ) are the same. App-189 .

feed = shepherd. Greek. poimaino. Occurs eleven times; translated "feed" seven times; "rule" in Matthew 2:6 . Revelation 2:27 ; Revelation 12:5 ; Revelation 19:15 .

God . Some texts read "Lord", but Alford gives good reasons for rejecting the change, due to Arian and Socinian attempts against the Lord's Deity.

purchased = gained possession of, or acquired. Greek. peripoieomai. Only here and 1 Timothy 3:13 . Compare 1 Peter 2:9 .

with = by means of. Greek. dia. App-104 .Acts 20:1 .

Verse 29

For . The texts omit.

this . Omit.

departing . Greek. aphixis. Only here.

grievous = oppressive. Greek. barus. Elsewhere Acts 25:7 . Matthew 23:4 , Matthew 23:23 ; 2 Corinthians 10:10 . 1 John 5:3 .

in among = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .

sparing . Greek. pheidomai. Always translated "spare" save 2 Corinthians 12:6 . No other word for "spare" save Luke 15:17 . This verse is an instance of the Figure of speech Hypocatastasis ( App-6 ), to call attention to the true character of Apostolical succession.

Verse 30

Also, &c . = Of your own selves also.

of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .

shall = will.

arise . Greek. anistemi. App-178 .

speaking . Greek. laleo. App-121 .

perverse . See note on Acts 13:8 .

draw away . Greek. apospao. Only here, Acts 21:1 .Matthew 26:51 .Luke 22:41 .

disciples = the disciples.

after , i.e. in their train. Greek. opiso.

Verse 31

watch . Compare 1 Peter 5:8 .

and remember = remembering. Greek. mnemoneuo. Always translated "remember", save Hebrews 11:15 , Hebrews 11:22 .

by the space of three years . Greek. trietia. Only here.

warn . Greek. noutheteo. Used only by Paul, here and seven times in his epistles.

Verse 32

now . See note on Acts 4:29 .

brethren . The texts omit.

commend . Greek. paratithemi. See note on Acts 17:3 .

word . Greek. logos. App-121 .

build . . . up . Greek. epoikodomeo. Only used by Jude, (20), and Paul, here and six times in his epistles.

you . The texts omit.

inheritance . Greek. kleronomia. Only word translated inheritance, except Acts 26:18 . Co Acts 1:1 , Acts 1:12 .

them which are = the.

sanctified . Greek. hagiazso. See note on John 17:17 , John 17:19 .

Verse 33

have coveted = desired.

no man's . Greek. oudeis.

apparel . Greek. himatismos. The word expresses more stateliness than the common word himation. Here, Matthew 27:35 .Luke 7:25 ; Luke 9:29 . John 19:24 .

Verse 34

know . Greek. ginosko. App-132 .

have ministered = ministered. Greek. hupereteo. App-190 . See note on Acts 13:36 .

necessities = needs. Compare Acts 2:45 .

Verse 35

have shewed = shewed. Greek. hupodeiknumi. See note on Acts 9:16 .

labouring = toiling. Greek. kopiao. Compare Matthew 6:28 , first occurance.

support . Greek. antilambanomai. Only here, Luke 1:54 . 1 Timothy 6:2 .

weak . Greek. astheneo. Often translated "sick".

It is, &c . This is one of the Paroemiae ( App-6 )of the Lord, not elsewhere recorded.

Verse 36

kneeled down . See note on Acts 7:60 .

prayed . Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 .

Verse 37

they all, &c . Literally there was a great weeping of all.

fell = having fallen.

and kissed . Greek. kataphileo. Only here, Matthew 26:49 . Mark 14:45 (Judas). Luke 7:38 , Luke 7:45 (the woman); Acts 15:20 (the father).

Verse 38

Sorrowing . Greek. odunomai. Only here, Luke 2:48 ; Luke 16:24 , Luke 16:25 .

for = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

the words = the word. Greek. logos. App-121 .

should = were about to.

see = behold. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .

accompanied . Greek. propempo. See note on Acts 15:3 . Compare App-174 .