- 1And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
- 2And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
- 3And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
- 4And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
- 5These going before tarried for us at Troas.
- 6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
- 7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
- 8And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
- 9And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
- 10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
- 11When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
- 12And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
- 13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
- 14And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
- 15And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
- 16For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
- 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
- 18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
- 19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
- 20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
- 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
- 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
- 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- 25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
- 26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
- 27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
- 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
- 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
- 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
- 31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
- 32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
- 33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
- 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
- 35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
- 36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
- 37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
- 38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
KING JAMES VERSION
ACTS 20
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Acts 20 — Paul strengthens the churches and bids the Ephesian elders a tearful farewell, charging them to guard the flock and remember the grace of giving.
About this illustration
The Miletus farewell is the chapter’s emotional and pastoral center. The shepherd’s staff visualizes Paul’s flock language without literal wolves, while Eutychus’s restoration at Troas is not combined with the shoreline scene.
Scripture basis: Acts 20:1–38King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Hellenistic–Roman periods
The Harbor of Alexandria Troas
Survey reconstructs Alexandria Troas's Augustan outer and inner harbor at the meeting of Aegean and Dardanelles routes, materially explaining the repeated sea crossings in Acts while preserving no vessel or quay securely associated with Paul.
Acts 16:8–11 · Acts 20:5–12
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Archaic through Byzantine periods; major Roman rebuilding
Miletus Harbor City and Roman Theater
The harbor city of Miletus preserves monumental civic remains and the maritime setting where Acts locates Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders.
Acts 20:15–38 · 2 Timothy 4:20
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
eighth century AD (palaeographic estimate)
Papyrus P41: Greek–Coptic Acts 17–22
Gregory-Aland P41 is an eighth-century bilingual papyrus codex in Vienna whose eleven fragments preserve Greek and Sahidic Coptic portions of Acts 17–22.
Acts 17:28–31 · Acts 17:34 · Acts 18:1–2
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEInscription
Roman imperial and late Roman phases, mostly later than Paul's visit
Miletus Synagogue and Theater God-Fearers Inscription
A synagogue complex and a theater seating inscription associated with Jews and theosebioi at Miletus. Provides local material evidence for a Jewish community and the contested category of God-fearers in the city where Paul met the Ephesian elders.
Acts 20:15–38 · Acts 13:16 · Acts 17:4
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchitecture
late 4th-6th century AD, with multiple building phases
The Late Antique Synagogue at Priene
A converted house near Priene's western gate preserves a Torah niche, menorah reliefs, a donor mosaic, and ritual installations, documenting an organized Jewish community in Roman Asia centuries after the city's New Testament-era prominence.
Exodus 25:31–40 · Deuteronomy 6:4–9 · Acts 19:8–10
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
occupied from the Iron Age through Byzantine times; flourishing Roman harbor in the 1st century AD
Patara Harbor and Paul's Ship Transfer
Excavations and geoarchaeology identify Patara as Lycia's major harbor and federal capital, matching the port where Acts says Paul changed ships for the voyage to Phoenicia. The site anchors the route but does not preserve the apostle's vessel, ticket, or exact transfer point.
Acts 21:1–3 · Acts 20:16–17 · Acts 21:4–6
View all 11 archaeology resources
- Assos and Its Ancient Harbor
- Roman Mytilene and Its Ancient Theater
- Pythagoreion of Samos and Paul’s Aegean Route
- Roman Beroea beneath Modern Veria
- Minuscule 1739: An Important Acts and Epistles Witness
Sermons
Bloody Hands
In “Bloody Hands,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about freedom from fear, faith, prayer. Drawing especially from Proverbs 21:20, 1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16, Luke 24:44, the teaching emphasizes that the believer must answer fear with trust in God, sober judgment, and faithful action. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSalvation and the GospelChristian LivingSpiritual Warfare
View sermon Skyfall 2024: The History of the Bible (Part 1) by Pastor Dean Odle
In “Skyfall 2024 - The History of the Bible (Part 1) by Pastor Dean Odle,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about the authority of Scripture, the condition of the church, faith. Drawing especially from 2 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 3, Romans 12:3, Romans 10:17, the teaching emphasizes that Scripture is presented as the standard for doctrine, discernment, and daily obedience. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that the church is called to recover biblical faithfulness instead of accommodating compromise.
Bible ProphecyScripture AloneSalvation and the GospelChristian Living
View sermon Are You an Editor?
In “Are You an Editor?” Pastor Dean Odle challenges Christians and ministers who selectively accept Scripture while dismissing teachings that conflict with denominational systems, popular science, or comfortable church culture. Acts 20 supplies his model: Paul declared the whole counsel of God, warned the flock, and refused to withhold difficult truth. Odle applies that principle to biblical cosmology, the continuing gifts of the Holy Spirit, repentance, prophecy, Israel, and the end times.
Doctrine and DiscernmentBible ProphecyScripture AloneApostasy and DeceptionHoly Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons
Music
Don't Paint Him In Your Image
A sober call to reject a culturally edited Jesus and receive Christ as Scripture reveals Him—Savior, Lord, Judge, and King. The song tests profession, preaching, repentance, and worship against the whole counsel of God.