ScriptureDepth's study of Acts 20
“But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.”
Acts 20:24
Paul speaks this to the Ephesian elders as he expresses his commitment to completing his mission, stating he will 'finish my race with joy'.
What Acts 20 is about
After the uproar had ceased, Paul departed for Macedonia to encourage the disciples (vv. 1-2). He traveled through Greece for three months but returned through Macedonia due to a plot against him (vv. 3-6). At Troas, he spoke to the gathered disciples, continuing until midnight. Eutychus, a young man, fell from a window and was revived by Paul (vv. 7-12). Paul traveled to Miletus, bypassing Ephesus to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost (vv. 13-16). In Miletus, Paul called the elders of the Ephesian church and reminded them of his service and teachings (vv. 17-21). He expressed his resolve to go to Jerusalem despite the warnings of suffering ahead (vv. 22-24). Paul then delivered final admonitions about shepherding the church, recalling his own example of hard work and generosity (vv. 25-35). He prayed with them, and they mourned his departure, knowing they would not see him again (vv. 36-38).
Paul entrusted the elders to God and urged them to shepherd the church bought with Christ's blood.
Acts 20 at a glance
- Acts 20:1–2Paul departs for Macedonia
- Acts 20:3–6Travel through Greece
- Acts 20:7–12Eutychus revived
- Acts 20:13–16Journey to Miletus
- Acts 20:17–21Farewell to the Ephesian elders
- Acts 20:22–24Paul's resolve and calling
- Acts 20:25–38Final admonitions and prayer
Key verse: Acts 20:24
One thing to notice
Paul organizes his departure in vv. 1-3, where he leaves after an uproar and later decides to go back through Macedonia due to a plot against him. This sets a clear pattern of movement connected to both threats and community, as he first encourages the disciples and then initiates his travel plans.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Acts 20 (WEB)
Paul departs for Macedonia Acts 20:1–2
1Verse 1. After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2Verse 2. When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
Travel through Greece Acts 20:3–6
3Verse 3. When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4Verse 4. These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5Verse 5. But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas. 6Verse 6. We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.
Eutychus revived Acts 20:7–12
7Verse 7. On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight. 8Verse 8. There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together. 9Verse 9. A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor, and was taken up dead. 10Verse 10. Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”
11Verse 11. When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed. 12Verse 12. They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.
Journey to Miletus Acts 20:13–16
13Verse 13. But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14Verse 14. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and came to Mitylene. 15Verse 15. Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus. 16Verse 16. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
Farewell to the Ephesian elders Acts 20:17–21
17Verse 17. From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly. 18Verse 18. When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time, 19Verse 19. serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; 20Verse 20. how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21Verse 21. testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
Paul's resolve and calling Acts 20:22–24
22Verse 22. Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there; 23Verse 23. except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. 24Verse 24. But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
Final admonitions and prayer Acts 20:25–38
25Verse 25. “Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more. 26Verse 26. Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men, 27Verse 27. for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28Verse 28. Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. 29Verse 29. For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30Verse 30. Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Verse 31. Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. 32Verse 32. Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33Verse 33. I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing. 34Verse 34. You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me. 35Verse 35. In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36Verse 36. When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37Verse 37. They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38Verse 38. sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Acts 20
Faithfulness in ministry
Paul's commitment is evident in his travels through Macedonia and Greece, where he encouraged them with many words (v. 2). His lengthy speech in Troas shows his dedication to teaching, as he continued until midnight (v. 7). In his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, he declares he has not shunned to declare anything that was profitable to them (v. 20) and testifies to God's grace in his ministry (v. 24).
God's providence
Throughout Acts 20, God's providence is evident in the events that unfold during Paul's journey. Despite a plot against him by the Jews, Paul is led to return through Macedonia (v. 3). The miraculous revival of Eutychus after his fall highlights God's intervention, as Paul assures those present, 'Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him' (v. 10). This pattern of divine care continues as Paul receives the Spirit's warnings about the trials awaiting him in Jerusalem (vv. 22-23).
Resilience in trials
Paul’s resilience is prominently displayed as he continues to serve despite difficulties. He recounts the 'trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews' (v. 19) and acknowledges that he is 'bound by the Spirit' as he heads toward Jerusalem, fully aware of the challenges (v. 22). His determination to finish his race with joy conveys a steadfastness that captivates the elders' attention, urging them to remain vigilant (vv. 24-31).
Community and leadership
The chapter highlights community and leadership through Paul's interaction with the Ephesian elders. He instructs them to take heed to themselves and to all the flock (v. 28), urging them to shepherd the assembly of the Lord which God purchased. His example of hard work and care for the weak encourages leaders to support their community (vv. 34-35). The elders' emotional farewell reveals their deep bond, showing the role of leadership in fostering community unity (vv. 37-38).
Chapter outline
How Acts 20 unfolds
Acts 20:1–2 Paul departs for Macedonia
After the uproar had ceased, Paul sends for the disciples and takes leave of them, departing to go into Macedonia. He encourages the disciples with many words as he travels through those parts before arriving in Greece.
Acts 20:3–6 Travel through Greece
Paul travels through Greece, encouraging the disciples, and decides to return through Macedonia due to a plot against him (vv. 3-4).
Acts 20:7–12 Eutychus revived
During a gathering on the first day of the week, Paul speaks until midnight; Eutychus falls from a window and is revived by Paul (vv. 7-10).
Acts 20:13–16 Journey to Miletus
Paul continues his journey by land and sea, meeting his companions at Assos before sailing to Mitylene (vv. 13-15).
Acts 20:17–21 Farewell to the Ephesian elders
Paul calls the elders from Ephesus to Miletus and recalls his time with them, describing his service (vv. 17-19).
Acts 20:22–24 Paul's resolve and calling
Paul expresses his resolve to go to Jerusalem and acknowledges the hardships awaiting him, committing to his mission (vv. 22-24).
Acts 20:25–38 Final admonitions and prayer
Paul warns the Ephesian elders about future challenges and prays with them, marking a heartfelt farewell as they express sorrow over his departure (vv. 25-38).
Key verses
Acts 20:24Paul speaks this to the Ephesian elders as he expresses his commitment to completing his mission, stating he will 'finish my race with joy'.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Acts 20
- observeWhat is Paul doing in v1 after the uproar had ceased?
- observeIn v9, what happens to Eutychus while Paul is speaking?
- interpretPaul's statement in v24 about finishing his race: what does it imply about his priorities?
- interpretIn v29, Paul warns about 'vicious wolves': what does this suggest about future challenges for the church?
- applyWhen have you felt the urgency to share important words like Paul did in v27?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Acts 20
- Hebrews 13Acts 20:35 and Hebrews 13:16Both do good: Acts 20:35 'more blessed to give', while Hebrews 13:16 'doing good and sharing'.
- 2 Timothy 4Acts 20:24 and 2 Timothy 4:6Both face departure: Acts 20:24 'finish my race', while 2 Timothy 4:6 'time of my departure has come'.
- Acts 21Acts 20:24 and Acts 21:13Both readiness to suffer: Acts 20:24 'not hold my life dear', while Acts 21:13 'ready to die at Jerusalem'.
- Acts 2Acts 20:21 and Acts 2:38Both repentance: Acts 20:21 'repentance toward God', while Acts 2:38 'repent, and be baptized'.
- Ephesians 1Acts 20:32 and Ephesians 1:14Both inheritance: Acts 20:32 'give you the inheritance', while Ephesians 1:14 'pledge of our inheritance'.
- 2 Timothy 1Acts 20:24 and 2 Timothy 1:7Both spirit of power: Acts 20:24 'finish my race', while 2 Timothy 1:7 'not a spirit of fear'.
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