Acts 20
New Matthew Bible
Paul goes into Macedonia and into Greece. At Troas he raises up a dead body. At Ephesus he calls the elders of the congregation together, commits the keeping of God’s flock to them, warns them of false teachers, makes his prayer with them, and departs by ship.
20 After the tumult was calmed, Paul called the disciples to him and took his leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts and given the people many exhortations, he went into Greece, 3 and was there three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him as he was about to sail into Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 There accompanied him into Asia, Sopater of Berea, and from Thessalonica, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and from Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the Passover holy days, and in five days came to them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
7 And on the morrow after the Sabbath day, the disciples came together to break bread. Paul, who was ready to depart on the next day, preached to them, and continued preaching until midnight. 8 And there were many lamps in the upper chamber where they were gathered together. 9 And a certain young man named Eutychus sat in a window, falling into a deep sleep. And as Paul spoke on, he was the more overcome with sleep, and fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. 10 Paul went down and fell on him, and embraced him and said, Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.
11 When Paul had gone upstairs again, he broke bread and ate, and talked a long while, even till the morning, and so departed. 12 And they brought in the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 And we went on to the ship and set sail for Assos, there to take Paul on board. For so he had arranged, and would himself go afoot. 14 When he came to us at Assos, we took him in and went to Mitylene. 15 And we sailed from there and arrived the next day off Chios. And the next day we arrived at the island of Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we went on to Miletus, 16 for Paul had determined to pass by Ephesus as they sailed, because he did not want to spend the time in Asia. For he hastened to be (if he could possibly) at Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. 17 And so from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the congregation.
18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, You know how, from the first day that I came to Asia, I have been with you at all seasons, 19 serving the Lord with all humbleness of mind, and with many tears and trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 and how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but have shown you and taught you openly and at home in your houses, 21 witnessing both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
22 And now behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will come on me there, 23 but that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and trouble await me. 24 But none of those things move me. I do not count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now behold, I am sure that henceforth you all (among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God) shall see my face no more. 26 And so I call you as witnesses this same day, that I am clear of the blood of all men. 27 For I have kept nothing back, but have spoken to you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock whereof the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he has purchased with his blood. 29 For I am sure of this, that after my departing, grievous wolves will enter in among you, who will not spare the flock. 30 Moreover, from among your own selves men will rise up speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. 31 Therefore awake, and remember that for the space of three years I did not cease to warn every one of you, both night and day, with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have desired no man’s silver, gold, or clothing. 34 You know well that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way how, by so labouring, you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
36 When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept abundantly, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words that he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts 20
1599 Geneva Bible
20 1 Paul appointed to go to Macedonia: 7 In Troas preaching until midnight, 9 Eutychus fell down dead out of a window, 10 he raised him to life: 15 At Miletus, 17 Having called the Elders of Ephesus together, 23 he declareth what things shall come upon himself, 28 and others.
1 Now [a]after the tumult was appeased, Paul called the disciples unto him, and embraced them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone through those parts, and had exhorted them with [b]many words, he came into Greece.
3 [c]And having tarried there three months, because 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 them of Thessalonica, Aristarchus, and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and of them of Asia, Tychicus, and Trophimus.
5 These went before, and tarried us at Troas.
6 And we sailed forth from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.
7 [d]And the [e]first day of the week, the disciples being come together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued the preaching unto midnight.
8 [f]And there were many lights in an upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man, named Eutychus, fallen into a dead sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he overcome with sleep, fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 But Paul went down, and laid himself upon him, and embraced him, saying, Trouble not yourselves: for his life is in him.
11 Then when Paul was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, having spoken a long while till the dawning of the day, he so departed.
12 And they brought the boy alive, and they were not a little comforted.
13 ¶ Then we went before to ship, and sailed unto the city Assos, that we might receive Paul there: for so had he appointed, and would himself go afoot.
14 Now when he was come unto us to Assos, and we had received him, we 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: the next day we came to Miletus.
16 [g]For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted to be, if he could possible, at Jerusalem, at the day of Pentecost.
17 ¶ Wherefore from [h]Miletus, he sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church.
18 [i]Who 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 modesty, and with many tears, and temptations, which came unto me by the layings await of the Jews,
20 And how I kept [j]back nothing that was profitable, but have showed you, and taught you openly and throughout every house.
21 Witnessing both to the Jews, and to the Grecians the repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 [k]And now behold, I go [l]bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, and know not what things shall come unto me there,
23 Save that the holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But I pass not at all, neither is my life dear unto myself, so that I may fulfill my course with joy, and the ministration which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now behold, I know that henceforth ye all, through 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 [m]pure from the blood of all men.
27 [n]For I have kept nothing back, but have showed you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, whereof the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to [o]feed the Church of God which [p]he hath purchased with [q]that his own blood.
29 [r]For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Moreover of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to [s]draw disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone, both night and day with tears.
32 [t]And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further, and to give you an [u]inheritance, among all them, which are sanctified.
33 [v]I have coveted no man’s silver, nor gold, nor apparel.
34 Yea, ye know, that these hands have ministered unto my (A)necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have showed you all things, how that so laboring, ye ought to [w]support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how that he said, It is a blessed thing to give, rather than to receive.
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 [x]Then they wept all abundantly, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 Being chiefly sorry for the words which he spake, That they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Footnotes
- Acts 20:1 Paul departed from Ephesus by the consent of the Church, not to be idle or at rest, but to take pains in another place.
- Acts 20:2 For after so great trouble there was need of a long exhortation.
- Acts 20:3 A froward zeal is the guider and instructor to murders: and we are not debarred by the wisdom of God to prevent the endeavors of wicked men.
- Acts 20:7 Assemblies in the nighttime cannot be justly condemned, neither ought, when the cause is good.
- Acts 20:7 Word for word, the first day of the Sabbath, that is upon the Lord’s day: so that by this place, and by 1 Cor. 16:2, it is not amiss gathered, that in those days the Christians were wont to assemble themselves solemnly together upon that day.
- Acts 20:8 The devil minding to trouble the Church with a great offense, giveth Paul a singular occasion to confirm the Gospel.
- Acts 20:16 Paul an earnest and diligent follower of Christ, making haste to his bonds without any ceasing or stopping in his race, doth first of all as it were make his testament, wherein he giveth an account of his former life, defendeth the doctrine which he taught, and exhorteth the Pastors of the Church to persevere and go forward with continuance in their office.
- Acts 20:17 According as the situation of these places is set forth, that distance between Ephesus and Miletus was about 400 furlongs, which maketh almost fifty Dutch miles.
- Acts 20:18 A lively image of a true pastor.
- Acts 20:20 I refrained not to speak, neither dissembled in any respect whatsoever, either for fear or lucre’s sake.
- Acts 20:22 He testifieth that he goeth to his bonds by the commandment of God.
- Acts 20:22 He calleth that motion of the holy Ghost, which forced him to take his journey to Jerusalem, the bond of the Sprit, whom he followed with all his heart.
- Acts 20:26 If you do perish, yet there shall be no fault in me, see Acts 18:6.
- Acts 20:27 The doctrine of the Apostles is most perfect and absolute.
- Acts 20:28 To keep it, to feed it, and govern it.
- Acts 20:28 A notable sentence for Christ’s Godhead: which showeth plainly in his person, how that by reason of the joining together of the two natures in his own person, that which is proper to one is spoken of the other being taken in the derivative, and not in the primitive: which in old time the godly fathers termed a communicating or fellowship of proprieties, that is to say, a making common of that to two, which belongeth but to one.
- Acts 20:28 This word, That showeth the excellency of this blood.
- Acts 20:29 A prophecy of pastors that should straightway degenerate into wolves against such as boast and brag only of a succession of persons.
- Acts 20:30 This is a great misery, to want the presence of such a shepherd, but greater to have wolves enter in.
- Acts 20:32 The power of God, and his free promises revealed in his word, are the props and upholders of the ministry of the Gospel.
- Acts 20:32 As children, and therefore of free love and good will.
- Acts 20:33 Pastors must before all things beware of covetousness.
- Acts 20:35 As it were by reaching out the hand to them, which otherwise are about to slip and fall away, and so to stay them.
- Acts 20:37 The Gospel doth not take away natural affections, but ruleth and bridleth them in good order.
Acts 20
Authorized (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 publickly, 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.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.