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After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.
Acts 20:1 · New King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
  • KJV And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
  • BSB When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.
  • NASB After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had encouraged them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia.
  • NLT When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

After the riot subsides, Paul encourages the Ephesian disciples and sets out for Macedonia. He continues his pattern of strengthening churches.

Overview

With the disturbance over, Paul does not flee in fear but first gathers and exhorts the believers before traveling on. His departure to Macedonia revisits the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea founded on his earlier journey. Paul's care to build up believers, not merely convert them, models faithful pastoral ministry that aims at lasting maturity in Christ.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 16

  • 2 Cor 7:5For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.
  • 1 Tim 1:3As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine,
  • Acts 19:21Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
  • 1 Th 5:26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
  • Gen 48:10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn’t see. He brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
  • Rom 16:16Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
  • 1 Cor 16:5But I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia.
  • Acts 11:26When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
  • Acts 19:23–41About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
  • Acts 20:37They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
  • Acts 21:5–6When those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.
  • Acts 20:10Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”
  • 1 Sam 20:41–42As soon as the boy was gone, David arose out of the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another, and wept one with another, and David wept the most.
  • 1 Cor 16:20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
  • Acts 16:9A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”
  • 2 Cor 13:12Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (3)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Acts videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Acts 20:1YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on ActsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.

How Acts 20:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.