Act 20:36 | KingComments | STEP | Paul is not waiting for an answer. He spoke from his heart to those he loved. What remains is to add the deed to the word and to commend them to God and to the Word of His grace. Therefore, he kneels down and prays with them all. Whether or not they have prayed is not clear. What we do read, however, is that they burst out in weeping aloud. What Paul said made a deep impression. That also has certainly to do with the contents of his words concerning future events. What makes them most sad, however, is that Paul has said that they will not see his face again. By this subtle remark, the Holy Spirit perhaps wants to tell us that they did not quite understand the seriousness of what Paul has said. Would they otherwise not have wept more about the imminent dangers that Paul has announced than about his departure? We know that already in those days the church was threatened by great dangers ( ; cf. ). Be that as it may, they loved him wholeheartedly. Their grief about his departure was sincere. Their expressions of love were intense. If we have ever experienced the loss of someone who has meant a lot to us, and the impression that has made this on us, then we can also somewhat imagine that his final departure gives them great sadness. After the heart moving scene of weeping, embracing and kissing, they accompany Paul to the ship.

‏ Acts 20:36

The Farewell

Paul is not waiting for an answer. He spoke from his heart to those he loved. What remains is to add the deed to the word and to commend them to God and to the Word of His grace. Therefore, he kneels down and prays with them all. Whether or not they have prayed is not clear. What we do read, however, is that they burst out in weeping aloud. What Paul said made a deep impression. That also has certainly to do with the contents of his words concerning future events. What makes them most sad, however, is that Paul has said that they will not see his face again.

By this subtle remark, the Holy Spirit perhaps wants to tell us that they did not quite understand the seriousness of what Paul has said. Would they otherwise not have wept more about the imminent dangers that Paul has announced than about his departure? We know that already in those days the church was threatened by great dangers (1Tim 1:3-4; cf. Rev 2:1-5).

Be that as it may, they loved him wholeheartedly. Their grief about his departure was sincere. Their expressions of love were intense. If we have ever experienced the loss of someone who has meant a lot to us, and the impression that has made this on us, then we can also somewhat imagine that his final departure gives them great sadness. After the heart moving scene of weeping, embracing and kissing, they accompany Paul to the ship.