Acts 20:36

36 Then Paul went down on his knees, all of them kneeling with him, and prayed.

Acts 20:36 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 20:36

And when he had thus spoken
And finished his speech to the elders: he kneeled down: upon the floor, which was a prayer gesture, used by Christ, and others; for, it seems, the disuse of kneeling in prayer, between the passover and pentecost, which Tertullian ^F11, and other writers, speak of, had not yet obtained, which was in memory of Christ's resurrection from the dead, for this was now the time: see ( Acts 20:6 Acts 20:16 ) and

prayed with them all:
and no doubt for them all; the Syriac version renders it, "and he prayed, and all the men with him"; the apostle, and the elders, joined together in prayer.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F11 De Corona Militis, c. 3.

Acts 20:36 In-Context

34 With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me.

35 In everything I've done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You'll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, 'You're far happier giving than getting.'"

36 Then Paul went down on his knees, all of them kneeling with him, and prayed.

37 And then a river of tears. Much clinging to Paul, not wanting to let him go.

38 They knew they would never see him again - he had told them quite plainly. The pain cut deep. Then, bravely, they walked him down to the ship.