Acts 20:38

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

What saddened them the most was his remark that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Berean Standard Bible:

They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then 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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Sorrowing^{G3600} most of all^{G3122} for^{G1909} the words^{G3056} which^{G3739} he spake^{G2046}, that^{G3754} they should^{G3195} see^{G2334} his^{G846} face^{G4383} no more^{G3765}. And^{G1161} they accompanied^{G4311} him^{G846} unto^{G1519} the ship^{G4143}.

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Commentary for Acts 20:38

Acts 20:38 is a verse that captures a poignant moment in the New Testament as part of Paul's farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus. This verse is situated within the broader context of Paul's missionary journey and his urgent desire to reach Jerusalem in time for the Pentecost, despite warnings of the persecution awaiting him there (Acts 20:22-24). The themes present in this verse include deep sorrow, the pain of parting, and the profound impact of Paul's ministry on the early Christian communities.

In the historical context, Paul's third missionary journey is coming to an end, and he is determined to return to Jerusalem. The elders of the Ephesian church have gathered to bid him farewell, and Paul is acutely aware that he may never see them again. The sorrow expressed in this verse is mutual; the elders are sorrowful because they cherish Paul's leadership and teaching, and Paul is sorrowful because he deeply cares for the congregations he has nurtured.

The specific text of Acts 20:38 reflects the depth of this sorrow, emphasizing the emotional weight of Paul's departure. The phrase "sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more" underscores the heartache associated with their impending separation. Despite this, Paul does not dwell on his own feelings but instead encourages the elders to continue in their faith and to protect the church from false teachings (Acts 20:28-31).

The verse concludes with the elders accompanying Paul to the ship, a common practice of showing respect and affection by walking with someone on their journey for as long as possible. This act of accompaniment is symbolic of the shared journey of faith and the support that believers offer one another in times of transition and challenge.

In summary, Acts 20:38 encapsulates the emotional farewell between Paul and the Ephesian elders, highlighting themes of sorrow, the significance of apostolic guidance, and the communal support within the early Christian church. This moment is a testament to the close-knit nature of early Christian communities and the enduring legacy of Paul's apostolic ministry.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3600
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὀδυνάω
   Transliteration: odynáō
   Pronunciation: od-oo-nah'-o
   Description: from ὀδύνη; to grieve:--sorrow, torment.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3122
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μάλιστα
   Transliteration: málista
   Pronunciation: mal'-is-tah
   Description: neuter plural of the superlative of an apparently primary adverb (very); (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly:--chiefly, most of all, (e-)specially.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
4. Strong's Number: G3056
   There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λόγος
   Transliteration: lógos
   Pronunciation: log'-os
   Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2046
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐρέω
   Transliteration: eréō
   Pronunciation: er-eh'-o
   Description: probably a fuller form of ῥέω; an alternate for ἔπω in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say:--call, say, speak (of), tell.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3195
   There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέλλω
   Transliteration: méllō
   Pronunciation: mel'-lo
   Description: a strengthened form of μέλω (through the idea of expectation); to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation):--about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2334
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεωρέω
   Transliteration: theōréō
   Pronunciation: theh-o-reh'-o
   Description: from a derivative of θεάομαι (perhaps by addition of ὁράω); to be a spectator of, i.e. discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge)):--behold, consider, look on, perceive, see. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
10. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4383
    There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρόσωπον
    Transliteration: prósōpon
    Pronunciation: pros'-o-pon
    Description: from πρός and (the visage, from ὀπτάνομαι); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3765
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐκέτι
    Transliteration: oukéti
    Pronunciation: ook et'-ee
    Description: from οὐ and ἔτι; not yet, no longer:--after that (not), (not) any more, henceforth (hereafter) not, no longer (more), not as yet (now), now no more (not), yet (not).
    
13. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration: dé
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
    
14. Strong's Number: G4311
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: προπέμπω
    Transliteration: propémpō
    Pronunciation: prop-em'-po
    Description: from πρό and πέμπω; to send forward, i.e. escort or aid in travel:--accompany, bring (forward) on journey (way), conduct forth.
    
15. Strong's Number: G1519
    There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰς
    Transliteration: eis
    Pronunciation: ice
    Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
    
16. Strong's Number: G4143
    There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πλοῖον
    Transliteration: ploîon
    Pronunciation: ploy'-on
    Description: from πλέω; a sailer, i.e. vessel:--ship(-ing).