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1When the uproar finally died down, Paul gathered the believers and encouraged their hearts. He kissed them, said good-bye, and left for Macedonia.[#20:1 As translated from the Aramaic.]
2At every place he passed through, he brought words of great comfort and encouragement to the believers. Then he went on to Greece
3and stayed there for three months.
Just as Paul was about to sail for Syria, he learned of a plot against him by the Jews, so he decided to return by going through Macedonia.
4Seven men accompanied him as far as western Turkey. They were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, and Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus from western Turkey.[#20:4 Sopater, or Sosipater, is mentioned in Rom. 16:21 as one of Paul’s relatives. His name means “his father’s savior.”; #20:4 Or “son of fiery red flames.” This phrase is not found in the Aramaic.; #20:4 See the third footnote on 19:29.; #20:4 Secundus means “fortunate.”; #20:4 Many believe this is the same Gaius mentioned in 19:29. See the second footnote on 19:29.; #20:4 The Aramaic is “Timothy of Lystra.” See introductions to 1 and 2 Timothy.; #20:4 It is likely that Tychicus was a native of Ephesus since he carried the letter Paul wrote to them as well as the letter to Colossae. See Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7. He is also mentioned in 2 Tim. 4:12 and Titus 3:12. His name means “child of fortune.”; #20:4 Trophimus was not a Jew. He is mentioned in Acts 21:29. His name means “nutritious.”]
5These men went ahead and were waiting for us at Troas.[#20:5 Notice “us,” which implies Luke has now rejoined the missionary team.]
6As soon as all of the Passover celebrations were over, we sailed from Philippi. After five days we joined the others in Troas, where we stayed another week.[#20:6 Or “the Days of Unleavened Bread.” This holiday was observed during the week immediately following Passover and was wrapped into the Passover celebration.; #20:6 This is when the events took place mentioned by Paul in 2 Cor. 2:12–13.]
7On Sunday we gathered to take communion and to hear Paul preach. Because he was planning to leave the next day, he continued speaking until past midnight.[#20:7 The Aramaic is “breaking pieces of the Eucharist.”]
8There were many flickering lights in the upstairs chamber where we were meeting.[#20:8 It is possible that these flickering lights refer to angelic activity in the upper chamber.]
9Sitting in an open window listening was a young man named Eutychus. As Paul’s sermon dragged on, Eutychus became drowsy and fell into a deep slumber. Sound asleep, he fell three stories to his death below.[#20:9 Or “a preteen named Eutychus,” which means “fortunate” or “lucky.”; #20:9 There is no doubt that “Lucky” died because of his fall. The Greek word nekros can only mean that he was lifeless. This boy becomes a picture of some believers today who, because they view themselves as “well off,” sit carelessly where they shouldn’t, growing drowsy, falling asleep, and enduring a disastrous fall. But God has grace and power to raise even the foolish ones back to life.]
10Paul went downstairs, bent over the boy, and embraced him. Taking him in his arms, he said to all the people gathered, “Stop your worrying. He’s come back to life!”[#20:10 Or “His soul is in him.” Paul raised him from the dead.]
11Paul went back upstairs, served communion, and ate a meal with them. Then he picked back up where he left off and taught until dawn.[#20:11 The Aramaic adds “by land” (on foot).]
12Filled with enormous joy, they took the boy home alive and everyone was encouraged.[#20:12 The Greek is “comforted,” while the Aramaic is “overjoyed.” This translation merges both concepts.]
13Continuing our journey, we made our way to the ship and sailed for Assos. Paul had previously arranged to meet us there as he traveled overland by foot.[#20:13 A coastal city in far western Turkey. Assos means “approaching.”]
14So he rejoined our team there and we took him aboard and sailed for Mitylene.[#20:14 A city on the Greek island of Lesbos.]
15The next day we crossed over to Chios, and the following day we arrived at the island of Samos. We stayed at Trogyllium, and on the day after that we reached Miletus.[#20:15 A Greek island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey.; #20:15 A Greek island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey.; #20:15 As translated from the Aramaic and some Greek manuscripts. Most Greek manuscripts do not have this clause.; #20:15 An ancient seaport of far western Turkey.]
16Paul was in a hurry to arrive in Jerusalem, hoping to make it in time for the Feast of Pentecost, so he decided to bypass Ephesus and not spend any time in that region.[#20:16 Or “waste any time in the province of Asia [Minor].”]
17However, from Miletus Paul had sent a message to the elders of the church in Ephesus and asked them to come meet with him.[#20:17 These elders would be equivalent to pastors, leaders of the church.]
18When they arrived, he said to them, “All of you know how I’ve lived and conducted myself while I was with you. From the first day I set foot in western Turkey
19I’ve operated in God’s miracle power with great humility and served you with many tears. I’ve endured numerous ordeals because of the plots of the Jews.[#20:19 As translated in the Aramaic, which is literally “I’ve performed God’s miracles.” The Greek is “I’ve served the Lord.”; #20:19 Some manuscripts add, “for more than three years.” See also 1 Thess. 2:10–12.]
20You know how I’ve taught you in public meetings and in your homes, and that I’ve not held anything back from you that would help you grow.
21I urged both Jews and non-Jews to turn from sin to God and to have faith in our Lord Jesus.
22And now I am captive to the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, without really knowing what will happen to me there.[#20:22 Or “shackled by the Holy Spirit.”]
23Yet I know that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town, saying, ‘Chains and afflictions are prepared for you.’[#20:23 This warning from the Holy Spirit could have come through prophecies, dreams, visions, or the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking within him.]
24“But whether I live or die is not important, for I don’t esteem my life as indispensable. It’s more important for me to fulfill my destiny and to finish the ministry my Lord Jesus has assigned to me, which is to faithfully preach the wonderful news of God’s grace.[#20:24 Or “I do not consider my life worth a single word.” That is, Paul viewed his life as not worth mentioning. We don’t need to see our lives as precious in our own eyes, for they are precious in the eyes of our Lord Jesus, and that must be enough.]
25I’ve been a part of your lives and shared with you many times the message of God’s kingdom realm. But now I leave you, and you will not see my face again.
26If any of you should be lost, I will not be blamed, for my conscience is clean,
27because I’ve taught you everything I could about God’s eternal plan and I’ve held nothing back.
28So guard your hearts. Be true shepherds over all the flock and feed them well. Remember, it was the Holy Spirit who appointed you to guard and oversee the churches that belong to Jesus, the Anointed One, which he purchased and established by his own blood.[#20:28 Or “pastors.”; #20:28 The Greek uses the word overseers or guardians . This is the sacred duty of his leaders in the church.; #20:28 As translated from some Greek and Aramaic texts. Jesus is implied, for the Aramaic is simply “the Anointed One.” Some Greek manuscripts and the Western Peshitta read “the church of God.”]
29“I know that after I leave, imposters who have no loyalty to the flock will come among you like savage wolves.[#20:29 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “they won’t spare the flock.”]
30Even some from among your very own ranks will rise up, twisting the truth to seduce people into following them instead of Jesus.[#20:30 Or “speaking crooked things.”]
31So be alert and discerning. Remember that for three years, night and day, I’ve never stopped warning each of you, pouring out my heart to you with tears.
32“And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which he provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones.[#20:32 The Aramaic is “the manifestation of grace.”; #20:32 Or “to build you up,” a Greek word taken from the root word for “architect.”; #20:32 Or “sanctified”; that is, those who are devoted to holiness.]
33“I haven’t been after your money or any of your possessions.[#20:33 Or “silver, gold, or fine apparel.”]
34You all know that I’ve worked with my hands to meet my own needs and the needs of those who’ve served with me.
35I’ve left you an example of how you should serve and take care of those who are weak. For we must always cherish the words of our Lord Jesus, who taught, ‘Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.’ ”[#20:35 Or “minister to the sick.”; #20:35 The Aramaic is an idiom that speaks of extravagant generosity. “Blessed are those who try to give more than they’ve been given.”]
36After Paul finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with them.
37Then they all cried with great weeping as one after another hugged Paul and kissed him.
38What broke their hearts the most were his words “You will not see my face again.”
Then they tearfully accompanied Paul back to the ship.