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.
Parallel translations
- WEB sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
- KJV 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.
- BSB They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
- NKJV sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
- NASB grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.
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
They grieve most over Paul's words that they would not see his face again, and they escort him to the ship. The parting is sorrowful yet loving.
Overview
The elders' sharpest sorrow comes from the certainty of permanent separation in this life. Accompanying him to the ship, they honor their beloved teacher to the last. The painful farewell reminds believers that earthly partings, however grievous, are held within the hope of reunion in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Acts 15:3They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.
- 1 Cor 16:11Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.
- Acts 20:25“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.
- Acts 21:5When 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 21:16Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 20:38 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
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