Acts 20:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now there were many oil lamps burning in the upstairs room where we were meeting,

Berean Standard Bible:

Now there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.

American Standard Version:

And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} there were^{G2258} many^{G2425} lights^{G2985} in^{G1722} the upper chamber^{G5253}, where^{G3757} they were^{G2258} gathered together^{G4863}.

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Commentary for Acts 20:8

Acts 20:8 is a verse set within the narrative of the early Christian church as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, which details the spread of Christianity and the acts of the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul. This verse is part of a larger section describing the apostle Paul's visit to the city of Troas during his third missionary journey.

In the historical context, Troas was a city in the northwestern part of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), and it was here that Paul, after raising a young man named Eutychus from the dead, continued to engage with the local Christian community. The verse mentions "many lights in the upper chamber," indicating that the room was well-lit, which was necessary for evening gatherings due to the lack of electric lighting at the time. These lights would have been oil lamps or torches, providing illumination for the group to see and interact with one another.

The "upper chamber" refers to an upstairs room, which was a common place for early Christians to meet for worship, teaching, and fellowship. Such rooms were often used for religious and communal activities, and the one described in Acts 20:8 was likely in the home of a wealthier member of the congregation who could accommodate a larger group. The fact that the room was well-lit suggests that the meeting was an important and planned event, with a significant number of people in attendance.

The themes present in this verse include the communal aspect of early Christian worship, the hospitality of believers in providing space for gatherings, and the continuation of Jesus' ministry through the apostles, as Paul is shown teaching and performing miracles. This verse also reflects the growth and vitality of the early Church, as Christians gathered in fellowship, despite the challenges and risks associated with following a new faith in a diverse and often hostile Roman Empire. The detail of the lights serves to underscore the care and intentionality with which these early believers approached their worship and community life.

*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: 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).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2258
   There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἦν
   Transliteration: ēn
   Pronunciation: ane
   Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2425
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἱκανός
   Transliteration: hikanós
   Pronunciation: hik-an-os'
   Description: from ( or , akin to ἥκω) (to arrive); competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character):--able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2985
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λαμπάς
   Transliteration: lampás
   Pronunciation: lam-pas'
   Description: from λάμπω; a "lamp" or flambeau:--lamp, light, torch.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5253
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπερῷον
   Transliteration: hyperōion
   Pronunciation: hoop-er-o'-on
   Description: neuter of a derivative of ὑπέρ; a higher part of the house, i.e. apartment in the third story:--upper chamber (room).
   
7. Strong's Number: G3757
   There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὗ
   Transliteration: hoû
   Pronunciation: hoo
   Description: genitive case of ὅς as adverb; at which place, i.e. where:--where(-in), whither(-soever).
   
8. Strong's Number: G4863
   There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: συνάγω
   Transliteration: synágō
   Pronunciation: soon-ag'-o
   Description: from σύν and ἄγω; to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably):--+ accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.