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 ) .