Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Read it in contextThe elders charged
Start reading at Acts 20:25 (Acts 20:25 to Acts 20:38).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Warnings about danger within and outside the church lead to a charge to watch, labour, and care, followed by a sorrowful farewell.
20:25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
20:26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
20:27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
20:28Take 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.
20:29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
20:30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
20:31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
20:32And 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.
20:33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
20:34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
20:35I 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.
20:36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
20:37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
20:38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 20:1–20:38): Paul encourages believers during his travels, speaks to the gathering at Troas, and then addresses the Ephesian church elders at Miletus. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The elders charged. Read Acts 20:25 through Acts 20:38 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? Warnings about danger within and outside the church lead to a charge to watch, labour, and care, followed by a sorrowful farewell. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? Acts begins after Jesus' resurrection and follows the witness through Pentecost, expansion among peoples, and Paul's arrival in Rome. It does not give a final publication date. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The movement extends from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria toward wider regions and Rome, as announced in Acts 1:8. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The elders charged (Acts 20:25 to Acts 20:38).
Start reading at Acts 20:25. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The risen Jesus commissions the witnesses, and their preaching centers on Him. The accounts include repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and reception of the Holy Ghost; keep the details and order stated for each event. See Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Compare conversion accounts carefully, preserving what each one actually narrates. Do not invent an omitted detail or flatten every episode into an identical sequence. interpretation
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts. Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension.
About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 20
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
Connection to the wholeVisits to disciples lead to the Troas gathering, where Eutychus' restoration accompanies the extended meeting before Paul's departure.
Connection to the wholeAt Miletus, Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of his conduct and message and describes his resolve to finish his course despite coming affliction.
Connection to the wholeWarnings about danger within and outside the church lead to a charge to watch, labour, and care, followed by a sorrowful farewell.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.