And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul doesn't just stand and deliver a final sermon; he kneels down, adopting the posture of a humble suppliant, to pray with them. This isn't just a formal closing, but an act of shared vulnerability and reliance on God in the face of a painful separation, showing how essential communal prayer is even at the most difficult goodbyes.
And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, Paul has delivered a powerful, emotional farewell speech to the elders of Ephesus, warning them about false teachers and entrusting them to God’s care. In response, the elders are overwhelmed with sorrow, weeping because they know they will likely never see Paul’s face again. This verse captures the tender moment immediately after Paul's weighty words, as he kneels with them in humble prayer, a shared act of devotion in their painful separation.
Why did Paul kneel? It wasn't just a casual gesture. Discover the profound meaning behind this posture of prayer.
In Acts 20:36, Paul kneels down to pray. This wasn't a mere formality; it was a deliberate act expressing deep reverence, humility, and submission to God. Kneeling is often associated with being a suppliant, someone asking for favor. It acknowledges our position before the Almighty and can even stir up our own devotion and that of those around us. Even in moments of great distress or farewells, this posture reminds us to approach God with a humble heart, recognizing His sovereignty and our dependence on Him. It's a physical act that aligns our inner spirit with reverence and awe.
The scene is thick with emotion. What does it mean that Paul prayed with them all, and how did they respond?
The verse emphasizes that Paul prayed 'with them all.' This wasn't a private moment for him alone; it was a communal act of faith and shared emotion. The people responded with deep sorrow, weeping because they knew they would not see Paul's face again. This highlights the profound impact of Paul's ministry and the genuine affection that existed. Their tears underscore the pain of separation, but the shared prayer offers comfort and entrusts them to God's care. It's a beautiful picture of how faith binds people together, even in difficult farewells, and how prayer can be a source of mutual strength and solace.
Understand the original words
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gony klinas · Greek Verb Phrase
The act of lowering the body to the ground as a physical expression of humility, submission, or profound reverence before God. It signifies a complete surrender of one's will to the Lord.
prosēuxato · Greek Verb
A solemn communication with God, involving adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. It is the primary means by which believers maintain intimate communion with the Father.
This verse captures a deeply emotional farewell between Paul and the Ephesian elders. The timeline highlights Paul's awareness of impending hardship and his commitment to prayer and entrustment, even as he faced severe opposition and separation.
c. AD 53-56
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul was imprisoned in Rome, likely under house arrest, during which time he wrote several epistles, including Ephesians and Philippians.
c. AD 57
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
The events of Acts 20 likely took place during Paul's third missionary journey, with a significant period spent ministering in Ephesus.
c. AD 58
Journey to Jerusalem
Paul embarks on his final journey to Jerusalem, knowing he faces danger and imprisonment.
c. AD 58— this verse
Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
At Miletus, Paul meets with the elders of Ephesus, delivering a tearful farewell and a powerful charge to shepherd the flock.
c. AD 58
Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul is arrested by Jewish authorities, leading to his long imprisonment.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Caesarea
Following his arrest, Paul is held in prison in Caesarea for over two years before being sent to Rome.
Jesus knelt to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, showing this posture as a solemn and humble way to approach God, especially in times of great spiritual weight, just as Paul did.
Daniel 6:10Daniel, facing a death sentence, continued his regular practice of praying three times a day with his windows open towards Jerusalem, demonstrating that prayer, and the posture of prayer, is a commitment even amidst intense pressure.
Philippians 2:10This passage speaks of every knee bowing in Jesus' name, connecting the physical act of kneeling with ultimate submission and reverence, a profound spiritual reality that Paul enacted in his prayer.
Ephesians 3:14Paul explicitly states 'For this reason I bow my knees to the Father,' directly linking the posture of kneeling with his prayerful intercession for the Ephesians, mirroring the scene in Acts 20.
pooleActs 20:36: "And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all."
He kneeled down; a posture of great humility, becoming prayer, and frequently used on such occasions, especially in a time of great trouble and distress. Although bodily exercise alone do not profit, 1 Timothy 4:8 , yet we may, and must on occasion, in prayer bow the knee, lift up the hand and eye; 1. Because it is a reasonable thing to give our bodies in his service to God that made them. 2. By this we may sh…
barnesActs 20:36: "And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all."
He kneeled down - The usual attitude of prayer. It is the proper posture of a suppliant. It indicates reverence and humility; and is represented in the Scriptures as the usual attitude of devotion, 2 Chronicles 6:13 ; Daniel 6:10 ; Luke 22:41 ; Acts 7:60 ; Acts 9:40 ; Acts 21:5 ; Romans 11:4 ; Philippians 2:10 ; Ephesians 3:14 ; Mark 1:40 .
Paul doesn't just stand and deliver a final sermon; he kneels down, adopting the posture of a humble suppliant, to pray with them. This isn't just a formal closing, but an act of shared vulnerability and reliance on God in the face of a painful separation, showing how essential communal prayer is even at the most difficult goodbyes.
Just before this, Paul has delivered a powerful, emotional farewell speech to the elders of Ephesus, warning them about false teachers and entrusting them to God’s care. In response, the elders are overwhelmed with sorrow, weeping because they know they will likely never see Paul’s face again. This verse captures the tender moment immediately after Paul's weighty words, as he kneels with them in humble prayer, a shared act of devotion in their painful separation.
Just before this, Paul has delivered a powerful, emotional farewell speech to the elders of Ephesus, warning them about false teachers and entrusting them to God’s care. In response, the elders are overwhelmed with sorrow, weeping because they know they will likely never see Paul’s face again. This verse captures the tender moment immediately after Paul's weighty words, as he kneels with them in humble prayer, a shared act of devotion in their painful separation.
"And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all." — Paul doesn't just stand and deliver a final sermon; he kneels down, adopting the posture of a humble suppliant, to pray with them. This isn't just a formal closing, but an act of shared vulnerabili…
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Last reviewed October 2026