Acts 20
English Standard Version
Paul in Macedonia and Greece
20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and (A)departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when (B)a plot was made against him by the Jews[a] as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, (C)Aristarchus and Secundus; and (D)Gaius of Derbe, and (E)Timothy; and the Asians, (F)Tychicus and (G)Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for (H)us at (I)Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after (J)the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
Eutychus Raised from the Dead
7 (K)On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together (L)to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in (M)the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he (N)fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and (O)bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, (P)“Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and (Q)had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and[b] the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening (R)to be at Jerusalem, if possible, (S)on the day of Pentecost.
Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called (T)the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:
(U)“You yourselves know (V)how I lived among you the whole time (W)from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 (X)serving the Lord (Y)with all humility and with (Z)tears and with trials that happened to me through (AA)the plots of the Jews; 20 how I (AB)did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and (AC)teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 (AD)testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of (AE)repentance toward God and of (AF)faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.[c] 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained (AG)by[d] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that (AH)the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that (AI)imprisonment and (AJ)afflictions await me. 24 But (AK)I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only (AL)I may finish my course and (AM)the ministry (AN)that I received from the Lord Jesus, (AO)to testify to (AP)the gospel of (AQ)the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, (AR)I know that none of you among whom I have gone about (AS)proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore (AT)I testify to you this day that (AU)I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for (AV)I did not shrink from declaring to you (AW)the whole counsel of God. 28 (AX)Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all (AY)the flock, in which (AZ)the Holy Spirit has made you (BA)overseers, (BB)to care for (BC)the church of God,[e] which he (BD)obtained (BE)with his own blood.[f] 29 I (BF)know that after my departure (BG)fierce wolves will come in among you, (BH)not sparing the flock; 30 and (BI)from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore (BJ)be alert, remembering that (BK)for three years I did not cease night or day (BL)to admonish every one (BM)with tears. 32 And now (BN)I commend you to God and to (BO)the word of his grace, which is able to (BP)build you up and to give you (BQ)the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 (BR)I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 (BS)You yourselves know that (BT)these hands ministered to my necessities and (BU)to those who were with me. 35 In all things (BV)I have shown you that (BW)by working hard in this way we must (BX)help the weak and (BY)remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed (BZ)to give than to receive.’”
36 And when he had said these things, (CA)he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And (CB)there was much weeping on the part of all; (CC)they embraced Paul and (CD)kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of (CE)the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And (CF)they accompanied him to the ship.
Footnotes
- Acts 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19
- Acts 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium
- Acts 20:21 Some manuscripts omit Christ
- Acts 20:22 Or bound in
- Acts 20:28 Some manuscripts of the Lord
- Acts 20:28 Or with the blood of his Own
Acts 20
New Living Translation
Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece
20 When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers[a] and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia. 2 While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece, 3 where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 Several men were traveling with him. They were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 After the Passover[b] ended, we boarded a ship at Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas, where we stayed a week.
Paul’s Final Visit to Troas
7 On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper.[c] Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight. 8 The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. 9 As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. 10 Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” 11 Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord’s Supper,[d] and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. 12 Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly relieved.
Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders
13 Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship. 14 He joined us there, and we sailed together to Mitylene. 15 The next day we sailed past the island of Kios. The following day we crossed to the island of Samos, and[e] a day later we arrived at Miletus.
16 Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn’t want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost. 17 But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.
18 When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now 19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. 20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit[f] to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
25 “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault,[g] 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood[h]—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.[i] 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.
32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. 37 They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. 38 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.
Footnotes
- 20:1 Greek disciples.
- 20:6 Greek the days of unleavened bread.
- 20:7 Greek to break bread.
- 20:11 Greek broke the bread.
- 20:15 Some manuscripts read and having stayed at Trogyllium.
- 20:22 Or by my spirit, or by an inner compulsion; Greek reads by the spirit.
- 20:26 Greek I am innocent of the blood of all.
- 20:28a Or with the blood of his own [Son].
- 20:28b Or overseers, or bishops.
Acts 20
King James Version
20 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
3 And 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.
4 And 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.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
6 And 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.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And 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.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11 When 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.
12 And 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.
14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15 And 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.
16 For 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.
18 And 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,
19 Serving 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 publicly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But 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.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take 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.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And 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.
33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I 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.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
38 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.
Acts 20
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
20 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and warned and consoled and urged and encouraged them; then he embraced them and told them farewell and set forth on his journey to Macedonia.
2 Then after he had gone through those districts and had warned and consoled and urged and encouraged the brethren with much discourse, he came to Greece.
3 Having spent three months there, when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he resolved to go back through Macedonia.
4 He was accompanied by Sopater the son of Pyrrhus from Beroea, and by the Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy, and the Asians Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us [including Luke] at Troas,
6 But we [ourselves] sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread [the Passover week], and in five days we joined them at Troas, where we remained for seven days.
7 And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled together to break bread [[a]the Lord’s Supper], Paul discoursed with them, intending to leave the next morning; and he kept on with his message until midnight.
8 Now there were numerous lights in the upper room where we were assembled,
9 And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting in the window. He was borne down with deep sleep as Paul kept on talking still longer, and [finally] completely overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead.
10 But Paul went down and bent over him and embraced him, saying, Make no ado; his life is within him.
11 When Paul had gone back upstairs and had broken bread and eaten [with them], and after he had talked confidentially and communed with them for a considerable time—until daybreak [in fact]—he departed.
12 They took the youth home alive, and were not a little comforted and cheered and refreshed and encouraged.
13 But going on ahead to the ship, the rest of us set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for that was what he had directed, intending himself to go by land [on foot].
14 So when he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and sailed on to Mitylene.
15 And sailing from there, we arrived the day after at a point opposite Chios; the following day we struck across to Samos, and the next day we arrived at Miletus.
16 For Paul had determined to sail on past Ephesus, lest he might have to spend time [unnecessarily] in [the province of] Asia; for he was hastening on so that he might reach Jerusalem, if at all possible, by the day of Pentecost.
17 However, from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church [to come to him there].
18 And when they arrived he said to them: You yourselves are well acquainted with my manner of living among you from the first day that I set foot in [the province of] Asia, and how I continued afterward,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility in tears and in the midst of adversity (affliction and trials) which befell me, due to the plots of the Jews [against me];
20 How I did not shrink from telling you anything that was for your benefit and teaching you in public meetings and from house to house,
21 But constantly and earnestly I bore testimony both to Jews and Greeks, urging them to turn in repentance [[b]that is due] to God and to have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ [[c]that is due Him].
22 And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, not knowing what will befall me there—
23 Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.
24 But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy).
25 And now, observe, I perceive that all of you, among whom I have gone in and out proclaiming the kingdom, will see my face no more.
26 Therefore I testify and protest to you on this [our parting] day that I am clean and innocent and not responsible for the blood of any of you.
27 For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God.
28 Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or [d]of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood.
29 I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them [to their own party].
31 Therefore be always alert and on your guard, being mindful that for three years I never stopped night or day seriously to admonish and advise and exhort you one by one with tears.
32 And now [brethren], I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God’s set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul).
33 I coveted no man’s silver or gold or [costly] garments.
34 You yourselves know personally that these hands ministered to my own needs and those [of the persons] who were with me.
35 In everything I have pointed out to you [by example] that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed (makes one happier and more [e]to be envied) to give than to receive.
36 Having spoken thus, he knelt down with them all and prayed.
37 And they all wept freely and threw their arms around Paul’s neck and kissed him fervently and repeatedly,
38 Being especially distressed and sorrowful because he had stated that they were about to see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Footnotes
- Acts 20:7 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
- Acts 20:21 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
- Acts 20:21 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
- Acts 20:28 Many ancient manuscripts read “of God.”
- Acts 20:35 Alexander Souter, Pocket Lexicon.
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