Acts 20:36

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 20:36-38

Acts 20:36-38. When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down The posture generally used by the apostles and first Christians in prayer, as it had been also by our Lord himself, and by holy men of old; see the margin. And it is a posture peculiarly proper, as being expressive of humility before God, of reverence for him, and submission to him. And prayed with them all Doubtless in the most fervent and affectionate manner. And they all wept sore The old as well as the young, the men as well as... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 20:13-38

To Jerusalem with the offering (20:13-21:16)From Troas Paul went by land to Assos, where he rejoined the rest of the party and sailed to Miletus (13-16). Since Miletus was only about fifty kilometres from Ephesus, Paul took the opportunity to call the elders of the Ephesian church to come and meet him. He wanted to give them some final encouragement and pass on helpful warnings (17).Paul’s opponents in Asia had probably been trying to turn the Christians against him. Therefore, he reminded the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 20:36

kneeled down . See note on Acts 7:60 . prayed . Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 20:36

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.THE TEARFUL FAREWELLThe New Testament does not bind any special "attitude" of prayer upon the Lord's followers; but, in this, as in the matter of his sacrifices, Paul is doubtless an example for all. "Kneeling ..." is the most natural of all prayerful attitudes. Jesus observed it (Luke 22:41), and the martyr Stephen, while they were stoning him to death, kneeled in prayer (Acts 7:60). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 20:36

36-38. he kneeled down and prayed with them all, &c.—Nothing can be more touching than these three concluding verses, leaving an indelible impression of rare ministerial fidelity and affection on the apostle's part, and of warm admiration and attachment on the part of these Ephesian presbyters. Would to God that such scenes were more frequent in the Church! read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 20:36

Prayer for God’s grace and protection undoubtedly bonded these men together in Christian love. The kneeling posture here, as elsewhere in Scripture, reflects an attitude of submission to the sovereign Lord. The normal position for praying seems to have been standing (cf. Mark 11:25), so kneeling implies a particularly solemn occasion (cf. Acts 21:5). [Note: Neil, p. 215.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 20:36-38

Paul’s departure from Miletus 20:36-38 read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:1-38

Third Missionary Journey (continued)1-6. Paul in Macedonia and Greece. St. Paul waited at Ephesus until the return of Timothy and Erastus, and left Ephesus shortly after Pentecost, 55 a.d. (1 Corinthians 16:8-12). We learn from Romans 15:19 that he spent some time in Macedonia, and extended his missionary labours (which were marked by signal miracles) as far as Illyricum. From Macedonia he wrote the second Corinthian Epistle, and (according to a widely held opinion) the Epistle to the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 20:36

(36) He kneeled down, and prayed with them all.—The historian who has recorded what we may call the “charge” of St. Paul, shrinks, with a natural reverence, from reporting his prayer. Ephesians 3:14-21 will enable the thoughtful reader to represent to himself its substance, perhaps even its very thoughts and words. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 20:1-38

The Sunday Sleeper Acts 20:9 In considering Eutychus, I purpose looking first at the things which may be said in excuse of his famous sleep, and then pass on to look at what was blameworthy in it. I. And first of all, in excuse of this poor young man, I must remark (1) that he was listening to a very long sermon. It is said that on one occasion a child in the Sunday-school was asked by her teacher, 'What does the story of Eutychus teach?' and she promptly replied, 'That ministers should not... read more

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