They tearfully clung to Paul in a moment that showcased the bond of love woven by years of gospel partnership.
After delivering a heartfelt farewell address to the elders from Ephesus, Paul prepared to depart from them at Miletus (an ancient coastal city in what is now southwestern Turkey, near the Aegean Sea). Miletus served as a gathering place for Paul, who was likely around his late 50s or early 60s (he lived from roughly AD 5 to AD 67) and was on his way to Jerusalem. In this emotionally charged moment of goodbye, Luke describes how the elders responded with deep sorrow: And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him (v.37). Their tears and embraces signaled both their anguish at his imminent departure and their profound gratitude for his spiritual leadership. This scene highlights the affection and unity that can bind believers together in Christ.
Earlier in this same gathering, Paul had spoken about his ministry among them, reminding them how he never coveted anyone’s wealth and chose instead to support himself (see Acts 20:33-35). He sought to give the Ephesians an example of hard work and sacrificial leadership, consistent with his counsel to other churches that believers should be servants rather than burdens to one another. Their farewell weeping reflects a mutual bond of love and appreciation rooted in years of living out the gospel side by side. By placing the interests of others before his own, Paul modeled the words of Jesus: “love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 13:34-35). In their tears and embraces, we see the fruit of that Christlike love flourishing among the church.
In Acts 20:37, the laying on of hands or the typical cultural greeting matters less than the sincerity of hearts. The elders’ tears show how true fellowship in Jesus transcends cultural barriers, uniting people who share in Christ's mission and family. Their repeated kisses told of gratitude, respect, and mutual esteem for one another, demonstrating that deep bonds are formed when believers commit to teaching, serving, and caring for each other under God’s direction. These events in Miletus would become a hallmark of Christian fellowship—a tender and sacrificial love that does not hold back its tears.
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Acts 20:37 meaning
After delivering a heartfelt farewell address to the elders from Ephesus, Paul prepared to depart from them at Miletus (an ancient coastal city in what is now southwestern Turkey, near the Aegean Sea). Miletus served as a gathering place for Paul, who was likely around his late 50s or early 60s (he lived from roughly AD 5 to AD 67) and was on his way to Jerusalem. In this emotionally charged moment of goodbye, Luke describes how the elders responded with deep sorrow: And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him (v.37). Their tears and embraces signaled both their anguish at his imminent departure and their profound gratitude for his spiritual leadership. This scene highlights the affection and unity that can bind believers together in Christ.
Earlier in this same gathering, Paul had spoken about his ministry among them, reminding them how he never coveted anyone’s wealth and chose instead to support himself (see Acts 20:33-35). He sought to give the Ephesians an example of hard work and sacrificial leadership, consistent with his counsel to other churches that believers should be servants rather than burdens to one another. Their farewell weeping reflects a mutual bond of love and appreciation rooted in years of living out the gospel side by side. By placing the interests of others before his own, Paul modeled the words of Jesus: “love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 13:34-35). In their tears and embraces, we see the fruit of that Christlike love flourishing among the church.
In Acts 20:37, the laying on of hands or the typical cultural greeting matters less than the sincerity of hearts. The elders’ tears show how true fellowship in Jesus transcends cultural barriers, uniting people who share in Christ's mission and family. Their repeated kisses told of gratitude, respect, and mutual esteem for one another, demonstrating that deep bonds are formed when believers commit to teaching, serving, and caring for each other under God’s direction. These events in Miletus would become a hallmark of Christian fellowship—a tender and sacrificial love that does not hold back its tears.