They grieved because their beloved leader was leaving them for the last time.
Luke describes an emotionally charged moment in Acts 20:38 when he writes, “Grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship” (v.38). In this passage, the elders of the church in Ephesus express deep sorrow at the realization they will no longer see the Apostle Paul. This farewell scene occurs in Miletus, a coastal city in the region of Asia Minor, known today as western Turkey. Miletus served as a significant port city in the first century AD, located about 60 kilometers (roughly 37 miles) south of Ephesus, making it a convenient meeting place for these believers who had traveled from Ephesus to say goodbye to Paul one final time.
Paul, who is traditionally understood to have been born around 5 AD and martyred in the mid-to-late 60s AD, had established a close relationship with the church in Ephesus during one of his missionary journeys (Acts 19). Hearing his words that they would not see him again was especially poignant because Paul had been their teacher, spiritual father, and friend. Much like how Jesus prepared His disciples for His own departure (John 16:5-7), Paul prepares the Ephesian elders to continue faithfully without his physical presence. Their shared grief at Miletus underscores both the depth of their bond with him and the gravity of the mission they all served.
The verse reveals the heartfelt nature of ministry and the natural sorrow that occurs when beloved spiritual leaders move on, whether in ministry transitions or the finality of death. By noting that they accompanied Paul “to the ship” (v.38), Luke shows the earnest desire of these followers to spend those last few moments offering comfort and support. Their actions, combined with their grief, testify to the powerful influence of Paul’s teaching and personal relationships, emphasizing that God’s work often includes strong bonds of Christian fellowship among believers.
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Acts 20:38 meaning
Luke describes an emotionally charged moment in Acts 20:38 when he writes, “Grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship” (v.38). In this passage, the elders of the church in Ephesus express deep sorrow at the realization they will no longer see the Apostle Paul. This farewell scene occurs in Miletus, a coastal city in the region of Asia Minor, known today as western Turkey. Miletus served as a significant port city in the first century AD, located about 60 kilometers (roughly 37 miles) south of Ephesus, making it a convenient meeting place for these believers who had traveled from Ephesus to say goodbye to Paul one final time.
Paul, who is traditionally understood to have been born around 5 AD and martyred in the mid-to-late 60s AD, had established a close relationship with the church in Ephesus during one of his missionary journeys (Acts 19). Hearing his words that they would not see him again was especially poignant because Paul had been their teacher, spiritual father, and friend. Much like how Jesus prepared His disciples for His own departure (John 16:5-7), Paul prepares the Ephesian elders to continue faithfully without his physical presence. Their shared grief at Miletus underscores both the depth of their bond with him and the gravity of the mission they all served.
The verse reveals the heartfelt nature of ministry and the natural sorrow that occurs when beloved spiritual leaders move on, whether in ministry transitions or the finality of death. By noting that they accompanied Paul “to the ship” (v.38), Luke shows the earnest desire of these followers to spend those last few moments offering comfort and support. Their actions, combined with their grief, testify to the powerful influence of Paul’s teaching and personal relationships, emphasizing that God’s work often includes strong bonds of Christian fellowship among believers.