Acts 20:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:7

The Lord's day sabbath. This is the first allusion to distinctively Christian meetings as held on the first day of the week, the day which commemorates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The grounds on which it pleased God to separate a regular, and a frequently recurring, portion of time from common worldly labor may be pointed out. Two things especially require notice. 1. Such a recurring period of rest is practically proved to be necessary for man's physical well-being. It is more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:7-12

A legacy of Divine testimony. The position of Troas such that any startling event would spread its influence East and West—to Asia and Europe. Paul leaving the scenes of his labors, never more to be seen in them. Some news of contentions in Corinth might disturb the Churches. Asiatic believers would especially need every support. The occasion very solemn. Eucharistic service. Paul's long discourse, interspersed probably with questions and answers. Many last words to be said. Enemies... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 20:7

And upon the first day of the week - Showing thus that this day was then observed by Christians as holy time. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10.To break bread - Evidently to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Compare Acts 2:46. So the Syriac understands it, by translating it, “to break the eucharist”; that is, the eucharistic bread. It is probable that the apostles and early Christians celebrated the Lord’s Supper on every Lord’s day.And continued his speech until midnight - The discourse... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 20:7-10

Acts 20:7-10. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples As was usual with them on that day; came together From different parts; to break bread That is, to celebrate the Lord’s supper. It is well known the primitive Christians administered the eucharist every Lord’s day, and as that was the most solemn and appropriate, as well as the concluding act of their worship, it is no wonder that it should be mentioned as the end of their assembling. Paul preached unto them With... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 20:3-12

Return to Macedonia and Troas (20:3-12)Although Paul was planning to visit Rome, his immediate concern was to go to Jerusalem with the money he had been collecting from the Gentile churches (Romans 15:24-26; Acts 19:21). But just as he was about to set sail, he heard of a Jewish plot to kill him. So he changed his plans and returned through Macedonia (3). In Macedonia, probably at Philippi, Luke rejoined the party (indicated by the renewed use of ‘we’ and ‘us’ in the narrative). They then... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 20:7

first, &c . = first day of the sabbaths, i.e. the first day for reckoning the seven sabbaths to Pentecost. It depended upon the harvest (Deuteronomy 16:9 ), and was always from the morrow after the weekly sabbath when the wave sheaf was presented (Leviticus 23:15 ). In John 20:1 this was the fourth day after the Crucifixion, "the Lord's Passover. "Compare App-156 . This was by Divine ordering. But in A.D. 57 it was twelve days after the week of unleavened bread, and therefore more than a... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 20:7

And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.First day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread ... This emphatically states the purpose of Christian assemblies on Sundays throughout history, that purpose being for the observance of the Lord's supper. As Lange said, "Luke's language here plainly indicates that this day (Sunday) was... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 20:7

Acts 20:7. The disciples came together to break bread,— That is, to celebrate the eucharist. It is strange, that Barclay, in his Apology, (prop. 13: sect. 8.) should argue from Act 20:11 that this was only a common meal, and not the Lord's supper. It is well known, that the primitive Christians administered the eucharist every Lord's day; and as that was the most solemn and appropriate as well as the concluding act of their worship, there is no wonder that it should be mentioned as the end of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 20:7

7. upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together—This, compared with :-, and other similar allusions, plainly indicates that the Christian observance of the day afterwards distinctly called "the Lord's Day," was already a fixed practice of the churches. Paul preached—discoursed. The tense implies continued action—"kept discoursing." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 20:7

We do not know if Paul or someone else planted the church in Troas (cf. Acts 16:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:12-13). This is the first clear reference in Scripture to the early Christians meeting to worship on the first day of the week rather than on the Sabbath, the seventh day (cf. John 20:19; John 20:26; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10). This day has continued to be the generally preferred one for Christian worship. They selected Sunday because it was the day on which the Lord Jesus Christ arose... read more

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