Acts 20:38

They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian elders at Miletus during his final departure from their region. He has just declared that they will never see his face again, and they respond with open weeping and physical farewells before escorting him to his ship.

The words — The Greek term ὀδυνώμενοι (odunōmenoi) translates to "sorrowing," intensified by μάλιστα (malista) meaning "especially." This describes their acute emotional response to his declaration that he would not return.

The thread — This departure moment directly follows Paul's warning in Acts 20:25 about never seeing the Ephesian leaders again, while Acts 15:3 and 1 Corinthians 16:11 record his broader pattern of commissioned journeys and instructions for safe passage.

Why it lands — The text records a historical farewell where grief follows a prophetic declaration of permanent separation. A reader must recognize that missionary work involves permanent parting and must respond by faithfully supporting those who depart while accepting the finality of the commission.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Acts 15:3 Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.
Acts 20:25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.
1 Corinthians 16:11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.
Acts 21:5 But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
Acts 21:16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to stay at the home of Mnason the Cypriot, an early disciple.