Acts 20:38Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It should be noted that one who is parting should make a prostration and pray with all who are present, and only then depart. The strength of their affection for Paul is seen in the words, "they fell on Paul's neck." They embraced him as for the last time, and from his final conversation they felt strong love and friendship.

The Apostle’s words made a deep impression on the hearts of his hearers (Acts 20:36). All wept. All fell upon Paul’s neck. All kissed him. The travelers could hardly tear themselves from their hands (21:1). This scene was afterward repeated in Tyre, and finally in Caesarea Philippi. The nearer Paul came to Jerusalem, the more clearly and strikingly the fate awaiting him there appeared before him. In Caesarea, Agabus came to him. This was the same man who, fourteen or fifteen years earlier, had opened Paul’s way to Jerusalem with alms by his prophecy of famine. Now, meeting him again with alms, he bound the hands and feet of the benefactor himself with his own belt. This means, said the prophet, that this man will be bound in Jerusalem and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles.

Having finished his farewell address to the Ephesian pastors, the Apostle Paul knelt down and prayed with them all, commending himself and them to the all-good, all-wise, and all-powerful God. The Ephesian pastors parted from their father and archpastor with many tears. They grieved especially over the word he had spoken to them, that they would no longer see his face.

This speech vividly portrays the tireless diligence, deep humility, and complete self-renunciation of his apostolic ministry. It made a deep impression on everyone. He ended his discourse amid an outburst of weeping. As they said farewell to him, they were anxious about his future and about their own future. All bowed their heads upon his neck and kissed him warmly. They were especially grieved by his remark that they would never again see him as they had until then. They would never again look upon the beloved face of their teacher, who had endured so much for their sake and whom they loved so deeply. If the Apostle Paul aroused fierce hatred in his opponents, he also inspired the strongest love and attachment. According to St.

"No small weeping," and so forth: a simple and deeply moving portrayal of the final farewell between the beloved teacher and father and his beloved disciples and children.

The final farewell was tender and moving. The Apostle bent his knees for prayer. Undoubtedly all likewise prayed on bended knees. Then they began to kiss him, parting from him forever with tears. "So they loved him, and so they were disposed toward him. But what grieved them most was the news that they would see him no more. This was hard to overcome. He did not pray simply, but with compunction. This is a great consolation." "For what did the great teacher pray? For what did his disciples pray? It is natural to suppose that Paul besought God for what he now desired for his disciples: that they might be established on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, having Jesus Christ Himself as the cornerstone.