Acts 20:37
New International Version
They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.

New Living Translation
They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye.

English Standard Version
And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,

Berean Standard Bible
They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.

Berean Literal Bible
Then there was much weeping among all, and having fallen upon the neck of Paul, they were kissing him,

King James Bible
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

New King James Version
Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

New American Standard Bible
And they all began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,

NASB 1995
And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,

NASB 1977
And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,

Legacy Standard Bible
And they began to weep aloud and falling on Paul’s neck, they were kissing him,

Amplified Bible
And they began to weep openly and threw their arms around Paul’s neck, and repeatedly kissed him,

Christian Standard Bible
There were many tears shed by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There was a great deal of weeping by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him,

American Standard Version
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,

Contemporary English Version
Everyone cried and hugged and kissed him.

English Revised Version
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Everyone cried a lot as they put their arms around Paul and kissed him.

Good News Translation
They were all crying as they hugged him and kissed him good-bye.

International Standard Version
All of them cried and cried as they put their arms around Paul and kissed him affectionately.

Majority Standard Bible
They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.

NET Bible
They all began to weep loudly, and hugged Paul and kissed him,

New Heart English Bible
They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,

Webster's Bible Translation
And they all wept bitterly, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

Weymouth New Testament
and with loud lamentation they all threw their arms round his neck, and kissed him lovingly,

World English Bible
They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and there came a great weeping to all, and having fallen on the neck of Paul, they were kissing him,

Berean Literal Bible
Then there was much weeping among all, and having fallen upon the neck of Paul, they were kissing him,

Young's Literal Translation
and there came a great weeping to all, and having fallen upon the neck of Paul, they were kissing him,

Smith's Literal Translation
And much weeping was from all; and having fallen upon Paul's neck, they kissed him,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there was much weeping among them all; and falling on the neck of Paul, they kissed him,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then a great weeping occurred among them all. And, falling upon the neck of Paul, they kissed him,

New American Bible
They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,

New Revised Standard Version
There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they all wept bitterly, and they embraced him and kissed him;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And there was great weeping among all of them, and they were embracing him and kissing him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they all wept much, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

Godbey New Testament
And the weeping of all was great, and falling on the neck of Paul, they continued to kiss him copiously,

Haweis New Testament
And all of them shed floods of tears, and fell upon Paul?s neck, and kissed him again and again,

Mace New Testament
then melted into tears, they fell upon his neck and kissed him,

Weymouth New Testament
and with loud lamentation they all threw their arms round his neck, and kissed him lovingly,

Worrell New Testament
And great weeping arose from all; and, falling upon Paul's neck, they kept kissing him;

Worsley New Testament
And they were all much grieved, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him: sorrowing most of all at the word which he spake,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesians
36When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him. 38They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 20:41
When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.

Genesis 45:14-15
Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced. / Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.

2 Kings 4:27
When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

Luke 15:20
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

John 11:33-35
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept.

2 Corinthians 2:4
For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.

Philippians 1:8
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 2:17
Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.

2 Timothy 1:4
Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.

Genesis 33:4
Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

Ruth 1:9
May the LORD enable each of you to find rest in the home of your new husband.” And she kissed them as they wept aloud

1 Samuel 1:10
In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears.

1 Samuel 24:16
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud

2 Samuel 1:11-12
Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

2 Samuel 3:32
When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept.


Treasury of Scripture

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

wept.

1 Samuel 20:41
And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

2 Samuel 15:30
And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

2 Kings 20:3
I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

fell.

Genesis 45:14
And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

Genesis 46:29
And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

kissed.

Romans 16:16
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

1 Corinthians 16:20
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

2 Corinthians 13:12
Greet one another with an holy kiss.

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Aloud Ardently Arms Bitterly Embraced Fallen Falling Fell Great Kissed Kissing Lot Lovingly Neck Paul Paul's Repeatedly Round Sore Threw Weep Weeping Wept
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Aloud Ardently Arms Bitterly Embraced Fallen Falling Fell Great Kissed Kissing Lot Lovingly Neck Paul Paul's Repeatedly Round Sore Threw Weep Weeping Wept
Acts 20
1. Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas.
7. He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches.
9. Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life.
13. Paul continues his travels;
17. and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself,
28. commits God's flock to them,
29. warns them of false teachers,
32. commends them to God,
36. prays with them, and departs.














They all wept openly
This phrase highlights the deep emotional bond between Paul and the Ephesian elders. The act of weeping openly signifies genuine sorrow and affection, reflecting the close-knit community within the early church. In the cultural context of the time, public displays of emotion were not uncommon, especially in moments of farewell or loss. This scene underscores the impact of Paul's ministry and the love he fostered among the believers. The weeping also indicates the gravity of the moment, as Paul had warned them of the challenges and persecutions that lay ahead (Acts 20:29-31).

as they embraced Paul
The act of embracing is a physical expression of love and fellowship. In the Greco-Roman world, such gestures were common among friends and family, symbolizing unity and mutual support. This embrace signifies the strong spiritual and personal connection between Paul and the Ephesian elders. It also reflects the biblical principle of unity in the body of Christ, as seen in passages like Ephesians 4:3, where believers are encouraged to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

and kissed him
Kissing was a customary greeting and farewell gesture in the ancient Near East, often used to show respect, affection, and loyalty. In the New Testament, the "holy kiss" is mentioned as a sign of Christian fellowship (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20). This act of kissing Paul is a demonstration of the deep respect and love the Ephesian elders had for him. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices and relationships that are part of Christian ministry. The kiss, in this context, is a symbol of the heartfelt connection and the sorrow of parting, as Paul had shared his life and teachings with them, embodying the love of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The Apostle Paul, a central figure in the New Testament, known for his missionary journeys and epistles. In this passage, he is bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders.

2. Ephesian Elders
Leaders of the church in Ephesus, a significant early Christian community. They are deeply moved by Paul's departure.

3. Miletus
The location where Paul meets the Ephesian elders to deliver his farewell speech. It is a coastal city near Ephesus.

4. Farewell Speech
An emotional address by Paul to the Ephesian elders, emphasizing his ministry and the challenges they will face.

5. Weeping and Embracing
A display of deep affection and sorrow, highlighting the strong bond between Paul and the Ephesian church leaders.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Christian Fellowship
The emotional farewell between Paul and the Ephesian elders underscores the deep bonds formed within the body of Christ. True Christian fellowship involves sharing in each other's joys and sorrows.

The Role of Leadership in the Church
Paul's relationship with the Ephesian elders highlights the importance of strong, loving leadership in the church. Leaders should be deeply connected to their congregations, as Paul was.

Emotional Expression in the Christian Life
The open display of emotion in this passage reminds us that expressing our feelings is a natural and healthy part of the Christian life. It is important to be genuine in our relationships with others.

The Pain of Separation in Ministry
The sorrow of parting ways is a reality in ministry. This passage encourages us to cherish the time we have with fellow believers and to trust God with the future.

The Legacy of Faithful Service
Paul's farewell is a testament to his faithful service and the impact he had on the lives of others. We are called to leave a legacy of faithfulness and love in our own ministries.(37) Fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him.--We note, as before in Acts 20:19, the absence of any suppression of emotion. As David and Jonathan parted of old (1Samuel 20:41), so did St. Paul and his fellow-workers part now. In 2Timothy 1:4 we have a passing reference to another parting scene of perhaps even tenderer emotion. To think that they should see his face no more, that this was their last farewell, made the elders of Ephesus and the other disciples eager, up to the very hour of embarkation, for the last embrace.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They all
πάντων (pantōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

wept
κλαυθμὸς (klauthmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2805: Weeping, lamentation, crying. From klaio; lamentation.

openly
ἱκανὸς (hikanos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2425: From hiko; competent, i.e. Ample or fit.

[as]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they embraced
ἐπιπεσόντες (epipesontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1968: To fall upon, press upon, light upon, come over. From epi and pipto; to embrace or seize.

Paul
Παύλου (Paulou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

[and] kissed
κατεφίλουν (katephiloun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2705: To kiss affectionately. From kata and phileo; to kiss earnestly.

him.
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Apostles: Acts 20:37 They all wept a lot and fell (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 20:36
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