Acts 20:37

37 They cried uncontrollably as everyone embraced and kissed Paul.

Acts 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 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

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

Acts 20:37 In-Context

35 In everything I have shown you that, by working hard, we must help the weak. In this way we remember the Lord Jesus' words: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
36 After he said these things, he knelt down with all of them to pray.
37 They cried uncontrollably as everyone embraced and kissed Paul.
38 They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
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