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Acts 20

Paul prepares the Ephesian elders for his departure by entrusting them to God’s grace and charging them to guard the flock.

After an uproar, Paul leaves for Macedonia and Greece, encouraging disciples along the way. A plot against him changes his route, and at Troas a late-night gathering is interrupted when Eutychus falls from a window and is restored to life. Continuing toward Jerusalem, Paul summons the Ephesian elders to Miletus. He reviews his work among them, warns of threats to the church, and says farewell amid prayer and tears.

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2When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
3When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.
7On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight.
8There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together.
9A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead.
10Paul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”
11When he had gone up, had broken bread and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.
12They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.
13But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.
16For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
17From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the assembly.
18When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,
19serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
20how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,
21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
22Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;
23except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.
24But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
25“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.
26Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,
27for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
28Take heed, therefore, to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.
29For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
32Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33I coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing.
34You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
35In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
38sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Acts 20:28The elders must watch themselves and shepherd a church whose worth rests in God’s purchase with his own blood.
Acts 20:24Facing imprisonment and suffering, Paul measures his life by completing the ministry he received from Jesus.
Acts 20:21Repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus summarize the message Paul brought to both Jews and Greeks.
Where this chapter reaches

Paul’s image of finishing his race connects with 2 Timothy, where he speaks of completing the race and keeping the faith. His charge to shepherd God’s flock shares with 1 Peter a concern for watchful leadership that serves without greed.

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What stands out to you about Paul’s tears alongside his warnings to the elders?

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How does Paul’s example of working to help the weak shape your understanding of giving?

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Questions people ask about Acts 20

Did Eutychus die in Acts 20?

The account says Eutychus fell from the third floor and was taken up dead. Paul went down, held him, and said his life was in him. The boy was then brought in alive. The narrative presents a restoration to life, though it does not describe the precise moment life returned.

Who are the wolves in Acts 20?

Paul uses wolves as an image for people who will harm the church after his departure. He also warns that men from among the elders themselves will distort the truth to gather followers. No individuals are named here. The warning concerns destructive teaching and leaders who draw disciples after themselves.

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Acts · 28 chapters

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).