Acts 20:38 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Their sharpest sorrow is Paul's word that they will see his face no more; they walk with him all the way to the ship.
What Does Acts 20:38 Mean?
Luke names the sorest wound: not the warnings of wolves or hardship, but "that they should see his face no more." Then the elders do the only thing love can still do — they walk beside Paul to the water and see him aboard the ship bound for Jerusalem.
The chapter closes on a beloved face turned toward suffering for the name of Jesus, and on friends who go with him as far as the road allows. But the gospel they shared carries a further promise for all who are Christ's: "they shall see his face" (Rev 22:4). Among the people of God, partings are long, but they are not final.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 20:38
What does Acts 20:38 mean?
Their sharpest sorrow is Paul's word that they will see his face no more; they walk with him all the way to the ship.