And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This wasn't just sadness; "falling on his neck" and kissing him were deeply expressive, cultural gestures of profound, physical affection, mirroring the parting of David and Jonathan, revealing the intense personal bond between Paul and these spiritual leaders. Their tears and embrace underscore that genuine faith doesn't suppress human connection, but rather enriches it with a powerful, shared love.
And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This profound moment captures the raw emotion of a final farewell between Paul and the Ephesian elders he had shepherded for years. After Paul’s impassioned charge to them and his personal example of selfless ministry, their hearts were deeply stirred by the realization that they would likely never see his face again. This wasn't a stoic parting; it was an outpouring of grief, expressed through affectionate embraces and tears, mirroring ancient customs of showing deep personal bonds in moments of separation.
Why did they 'fall on his neck' and kiss him? This wasn't just a hug!
The way these believers expressed their sorrow at parting with Paul paints a vivid picture of ancient Near Eastern customs. When the text says they 'fell on Paul's neck,' it describes a deeply emotional embrace where they would lean their heads against his shoulders. This, combined with kissing, was a profound, physical demonstration of tender affection and deep sorrow, common among friends and family in that culture. It wasn't a sign of weakness, but of genuine, heartfelt connection.
Think of Joseph reuniting with his father Jacob, or Esau with Jacob. These aren't just quaint historical details; they reveal how physical touch was a powerful language of love and grief in that time and place, fully embraced within their expressions of faith.
Are tears a sign of weakness or something more profound in our faith?
In a world that often tells us to suppress emotion, this scene is a powerful reminder that sincere grief is not contrary to faith. The Bible doesn't present us as emotionless robots. In fact, the weeping here signifies the deep spiritual bond and love these believers had for Paul, and for the message he brought.
This wasn't a stoic, unaffected farewell. The elders and disciples were deeply grieved because they knew they might not see Paul's face again. Their tears are proof of how much they valued him, his ministry, and the spiritual family they had become in Christ. True faith doesn't eliminate natural affections; it purifies and directs them.
Ask a follow-up
Imagine knowing this might be the very last time you'll ever see someone. What does that feel like?
The intensity of this parting scene is amplified by the understanding that this was likely their final goodbye to Paul. He was heading to Jerusalem, facing significant dangers, and as he himself would later say, he didn't expect to see them again (verse 38). This wasn't just a temporary separation; it was a farewell charged with the gravity of potential finality.
This deep sorrow is a testament to the profound impact Paul's ministry had on the Ephesian church. They clung to him, not wanting the encounter to end, desperately seeking that last embrace before their spiritual father embarked on a perilous journey. It highlights the preciousness of spiritual relationships and the heartbreak of potentially losing them.
Understand the original words
klaythmos · Greek Noun
The shedding of tears, often expressing intense grief, deep affection, or emotional distress. In a communal setting, it reflects the depth of shared bond and sorrow.
katephiloun · Greek Verb
A physical action expressing love, fellowship, or intense affection. In the New Testament, it is often associated with the 'holy kiss,' symbolizing the unity and peace shared among the family of God.
This scene at Miletus powerfully illustrates the deep personal bonds forged through shared ministry and the profound grief experienced when facing seemingly final goodbyes, mirroring ancient customs of expressing intense affection and sorrow.
c. AD 53-57
Paul's Extended Ministry in Ephesus
Paul spent a significant period, possibly over two years, ministering in Ephesus, a major commercial and religious center in Asia Minor. During this time, he established a strong church and faced considerable opposition from local silversmiths whose trade was threatened by his teachings against idol worship. This deep connection with the Ephesian believers forms the backdrop for his emotional farewell.
c. AD 57
Paul's Journey to Jerusalem
After his time in Ephesus, Paul resolved to travel to Jerusalem, intending to deliver a collection for the poor Christians in Judea. He knew this journey might involve danger, as foretold by prophets and his own understanding of the times.
c. AD 57
Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
Paul summoned the elders of the Ephesian church to Miletus. He delivered a moving farewell address, reminding them of his faithful ministry, warning them of future false teachers, and encouraging them to shepherd the flock diligently. This event precedes the journey where the verse in Acts 20:37 occurs.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul's Departure from Miletus
Following the meeting with the Ephesian elders, Paul and his companions set sail from Miletus. The elders accompanied them to the ship, and the scene described in Acts 20:37 unfolds as they part ways. This is the specific moment of intense emotional farewell.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Shortly after this journey, Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and eventually sent to Rome to await trial. His ministry continued from his Roman house arrest, but this separation meant a likely permanent physical parting from many churches and friends he had ministered to.
This passage describes Joseph falling on his father Jacob's neck and weeping, mirroring the deep emotional embrace and farewell between Paul and the Ephesian elders. Both passages highlight profound familial or spiritual affection at a time of separation.
1 Samuel 20:41Similar to the scene with Paul, Jonathan and David weep and embrace when they part, showing the tender bonds of friendship and loyalty that transcend difficult circumstances. This demonstrates that such deep emotional expressions were not uncommon among faithful men in Scripture.
Luke 15:20The father's eager embrace and kiss of his returning prodigal son illustrates a powerful, unrestrained expression of love and forgiveness. This echoes the warmth and deep affection shown to Paul, suggesting a profound spiritual father-son relationship between the apostle and the Ephesian believers.
Romans 16:16Paul instructs believers to 'greet one another with a holy kiss,' indicating that such physical expressions of affection were a normal and appropriate part of Christian fellowship and community. This verse provides context for the intensity of the Ephesian believers' farewell to Paul.
clarkeActs 20:37: "And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,"
Fell on Paul's neck - Leaned their heads against his shoulders, and kissed his neck. This was not an unusual custom in the east.
bengelActs 20:37: "And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,"
Acts 20:37 . Ἱκανὸς , great ) The tenderest and sweetest affections reign here. No book in the world equals Scripture, even as regards τὰ ἤθη καὶ πάθη , the manners and affections .— πάντων , of all ) Even tears are a proof of how much the successive ages of men degenerate. Formerly both men and good men, and heroes themselves (even among the Gentiles), were readily moved to tears, even in a body collectively. Jdg 2:…
This wasn't just sadness; "falling on his neck" and kissing him were deeply expressive, cultural gestures of profound, physical affection, mirroring the parting of David and Jonathan, revealing the intense personal bond between Paul and these spiritual leaders. Their tears and embrace underscore that genuine faith doesn't suppress human connection, but rather enriches it with a powerful, shared love.
This profound moment captures the raw emotion of a final farewell between Paul and the Ephesian elders he had shepherded for years. After Paul’s impassioned charge to them and his personal example of selfless ministry, their hearts were deeply stirred by the realization that they would likely never see his face again. This wasn't a stoic parting; it was an outpouring of grief, expressed through affectionate embraces and tears, mirroring ancient customs of showing deep personal bonds in moments of separation.
This profound moment captures the raw emotion of a final farewell between Paul and the Ephesian elders he had shepherded for years. After Paul’s impassioned charge to them and his personal example of selfless ministry, their hearts were deeply stirred by the realization that they would likely never see his face again. This wasn't a stoic parting; it was an outpouring of grief, expressed through affectionate embraces and tears, mirroring ancient customs of showing deep personal bonds in moments of separation.
"And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him," — This wasn't just sadness; "falling on his neck" and kissing him were deeply expressive, cultural gestures of profound, physical affection, mirroring the parting of David and Jonathan, revealing the i…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026