Atos 20:37

37 E levantou-se um grande pranto entre todos, e lançando-se ao pescoço de Paulo, beijavam-no.

Atos 20:37 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 20:37

And they all wept sore
At the thoughts of parting with such a faithful and affectionate friend and servant of Christ; and no doubt but their affections were greatly moved by his prayers for them, as well as by his discourse to them. Christians are not Stoics, religion does not take away and destroy the natural affections, but regulates and governs them, and directs to a right use of them:

and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him;
as Esau fell on Jacob's neck and kissed him, ( Genesis 33:4 ) and Joseph on his brother Benjamin's, and his father Jacob's, ( Genesis 45:14 ) ( 46:29 ) . And it was usual with the eastern nations, particularly the Persians ^F12, for friends and relations to kiss at parting, as well as at meeting; see ( Ruth 1:9 Ruth 1:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Xenophon. Cyclopedia, l. 1. c. 20.

Atos 20:37 In-Context

35 Em tudo vos dei o exemplo de que assim trabalhando, é necessário socorrer os enfermos, recordando as palavras do Senhor Jesus, porquanto ele mesmo disse: Coisa mais bem-aventurada é dar do que receber.

36 Havendo dito isto, pôs-se de joelhos, e orou com todos eles.

37 E levantou-se um grande pranto entre todos, e lançando-se ao pescoço de Paulo, beijavam-no.

38 entristecendo-se principalmente pela palavra que dissera, que não veriam mais o seu rosto. E eles o acompanharam até o navio.