Acts 20:37

37

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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Acts 20:37 In-Context

35 I showed you in all things that you should work as I did and help the weak. I taught you to remember the words Jesus said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

36 When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

37

38 And they all cried because Paul had said they would never see him again. They put their arms around him and kissed him. Then they went with him to the ship.