Acts 20:38
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Original Language Analysis
μάλιστα
most of all
G3122
μάλιστα
most of all
Strong's:
G3122
Word #:
2 of 20
(adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly
ἐπὶ
for
G1909
ἐπὶ
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγῳ
the words
G3056
λόγῳ
the words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
5 of 20
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ᾧ
which
G3739
ᾧ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εἰρήκει
he spake
G2046
εἰρήκει
he spake
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
7 of 20
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μέλλουσιν
they should
G3195
μέλλουσιν
they should
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
10 of 20
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρόσωπον
face
G4383
πρόσωπον
face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
12 of 20
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
θεωρεῖν
see
G2334
θεωρεῖν
see
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
14 of 20
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
προέπεμπον
they accompanied
G4311
προέπεμπον
they accompanied
Strong's:
G4311
Word #:
15 of 20
to send forward, i.e., escort or aid in travel
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
18 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Acts 15:3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.Acts 20:25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Historical Context
Whether Paul ever saw these elders again is uncertain. The anticipated permanent separation deepened the farewell's emotional weight.
Questions for Reflection
- What does grief over losing face-to-face presence teach about ministry relationships?
- How do you prepare for final farewells in ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more.' The finality of departure intensified grief. Loss of face-to-face relationship, not merely Paul's suffering, caused deepest sorrow. Presence matters in pastoral care.