Acts 20:17

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Acts 20:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

King James Version KJV

¶ And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

American Standard Version ASV

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the rulers of the church.

Free Bible Version FBV

From Miletus Paul sent a message to the elders of the church in Ephesus.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Wherefore from Miletum, hee sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And from Miletus, having sent to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the assembly,

World English Bible WEB

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the assembly.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church.

Translation for Translators T4T

When the ship arrived at Miletus, Paul sent a messenger to Ephesus to ask the elders of the congregation to come to talk with him.

Plain English Version PEV

So after the ship arrived at Miletus, Paul sent a message to Ephesus to get the church leaders to come and talk with him at the ship.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 20:17

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Acts 20:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK απο δε της μιλητου πεμψας εις εφεσον μετεκαλεσατο τους πρεσβυτερους της εκκλησιας

απο apo G575 away from Prep

δε de G1161 then Conj

της ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSF

μιλητου Milētos G3399 Miletus Noun-GSF

πεμψας pempō G3992 to send Verb-AAP-NSM

εις eis G1519 toward Prep

εφεσον ephesos G2181 Ephesus Noun-ASF

μετεκαλεσατο metakaleō G3333 to summon Verb-AMI-3S

τους ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APM

πρεσβυτερους presbuteros G4245 elder: Elder Adj-APM-C

της ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSF

εκκλησιας ekklēsia G1577 assembly Noun-GSF

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Acts 20:17

απο apo G575 "away from" Prep

This word means moving away from something, like a place or a time. It's used in many parts of the Bible, like Matthew 5:29 and Luke 5:2, to show movement or separation. It can also mean because of something.

Definition: ἀπό (on the frequently neglect of elision bef. vowels, see Tdf., Pr., 94, WH, App., 146), prep. with genitive (WM, 462ff.; on its relation to ἐκ, παρά, ὑπό, ib. 456f.), [in LXX for לְ ,בְּ ,מִן ;] from (i.e. from the exterior). __1. Of separation and cessation; __(1) of motion from a place: Mat.5:29, 30 7:23, Luk.5:2 22:41, al.; __(2) in partitive sense (M, Pr., 72, 102, 245; MM, see word; Bl., §40, 2), Mat.9:16 27:21, Jhn.21:10, Act.5:2, al.; also after verbs of eating, etc.; __(3) of alienation (cl. genitive of separation), after such verbs as λούω (Deiss., BS, 227), λύω, σώζω, παύω, etc.; ἀνάθεμα ἀ., Rom.9:3; ἀποθνήσκειν ἀ., Col.2:20; σαλευθῆναι, 2Th.2:2, καθαρός, -ίζειν, ἀ. (Deiss., BS, 196, 216), Act.20:26, 2Co.7:1, Heb.9:14; __(4) of position, Mat.23:34 24:31, al.; after μακράν, Mat.8:30; transposed before measures of distance, Jhn.10:18 21:8, Rev.14:20 (Abbott, JG, 227); __(5) of time, ἀπὸ τ. ὥρας, ἡμέρας, etc., Mat.9:22, Jhn.19:27, Act.20:18, Php.1:5, al.; ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος, Luk.1:70, al.; ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς, etc., Mat.19:4, Rom.1:20; ἀπὸ βρέφους, 2Ti.3:15; ἀφ᾽ ἧς, since, Luk.7:45, al.; ἀπὸ τ. νῦν, Luk.1:48, al.; ἀπὸ τότε, Mat.4:17, al.; ἀπὸ πέρυσι, a year ago, 2Co.8:10 9:2; ἀπὸ πρωΐ, Act.28:23; __(6) of order or rank, ἀπὸ διετοῦς, Mat.2:16; ἀπὸ Ἀβραάμ, Mat.1:17; ἐβδομος ἀπὸ Ἀδάμ, Ju 14; ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου, Act.8:10, Heb.8:11; ἄρχεσθαι ἀπό, Mat.20:8, Jhn.8:9, Act.8:35, al. __2. Of origin; __(1) of birth, extraction, and hence, in late writers, __(a) of local extraction (cl. ἐξ; Abbott, JG, 227ff.), Mat.21:11, Mrk.15:43, Jhn.1:45, Act.10:38, al.; οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας (WM, §66, 6; M, Pr., 237; Westc, Rendall, in l.), Heb.13:24; __(b) of membership in a community or society (BL, §40, 2), Act.12:1, al.; __(with) of material (= cl. genitive; Bl. l.with; M, Pr., 102), Mat.3:4 27:21; __(d) after verbs of asking, seeking, etc., Luk.11:50, 51 1Th.2:6 (Milligan, in l.); __(2) of the cause, instrument, means or occasion (frequently = ὑπό, παρά, and after verbs of learning, hearing, knowing, etc.; Bl., §40, 3), Mat.7:16 11:29, Luk.22:45, Act.2:22 4:36 9:13 12:14, 1Co.11:23, Gal.3:2, al.; ἀπὸ τ. ὄχλου, Luk.19:3 (cf. Jhn.21:6, Act.22:11); ἀπὸ τ. φόβου, Mat.14:26, al. (cf. Mat.10:26 13:44). __3. Noteworthy Hellenistic phrases: φοβεῖσθαι ἀπό (M, Pr., 102, 107); προσέχειν ἀπό (M, Pr., 11. with; Milligan, NTD, 50); ἀπὸ νότου (Heb. מִגֶּנֶב), Rev.21:13; ἀπὸ προσώπου (מִפְּנֵי), 2Th.1:9 (Bl., §40, 9); ἀπὸ τ. καρδιῶν (בְּלֵב), Mat.18:35; ἀπὸ ὁ ὤν (WM, §10, 2; M, Pr., 9), Rev.1:4. __4. In composition, ἀπό denotes separation, departure, origin, etc. (ἀπολύω, ἀπέρχομαι, ἀπογράφω); it also has a perfective force (M, Pr., 112, 247), as in ἀφικνεῖσθαι, which see (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 600 NT verses. KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; Acts 8:10; 1 Peter 1:12.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

της ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μιλητου Milētos G3399 "Miletus" Noun-GSF

Miletus was an ancient city in Asia Minor, mentioned in Acts 20:15 and 2 Timothy 4:20. It was a major port city. The apostle Paul visited Miletus during his missionary journeys.

Definition: Μίλητος, -ου, ἡ, Miletus a maritime city of Caria : Act.20:15, 17, 2Ti.4:20.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: Miletus See also: 2 Timothy 4:20; Acts 20:15; Acts 20:17.

πεμψας pempō G3992 "to send" Verb-AAP-NSM

To send someone or something from one place to another, used in Matthew 22:7 to describe sending an invitation. It can also mean to dispatch someone on a mission or task.

Definition: πέμπω [in LXX chiefly for שָׁלַח ;] to send; __(a) of persons: with accusative, absol., Mat.22:7, Luk.7:19, Jhn.1:22, 2Co.9:3, al.; ptcp. before verb., Mat.14:10, Act.19:31, al.; ptcp. before διά (= Heb. יָד;, 1Ki.16:20, al.), Mat.11:2 (cf. Rev.1:1); of teachers sent by God, Jhn.1:33 4:34, Rom.8:3, al.; with accusative and dative, 1Co.4:17, Php.2:19; before πρός, with accusative, Luk.4:26, Jhn.16:7, al.; before λέγων (cf. Heb. אָמַר שָׁלַח Gen.38:25, al.), Luk.7:6, 19; before εἰς, with accusative loc., Mat.2:8, Luk.15:15, al.; before εἰς (of purpose), Eph.6:22, Col.4:8, 1Pe.2:14; with inf., Jhn.1:33, 1Co.16:3, Rev.22:16; __(b) of things : Rev.11:10; before εἰς, Rev.1:11; id., of purpose, Act.11:29, Php.4:16; with dative of person(s), 2Th.2:11; π. τ. δρέπανον σου (cf. εξαποστείλατε δρέπανα = מַגָּל שָׁלַח, Jol.3:13), Rev.14:15, 18 (cf. ἀνα-, ἐκ-, μετα-, προ-, συν-πέμπω) SYN.: ἀποστέλλω, q.v (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 79 NT verses. KJV: send, thrust in See also: 1 Corinthians 4:17; John 8:29; 1 Peter 2:14.

εις eis G1519 "toward" Prep

This word means toward or into, indicating direction or purpose, as seen in Matthew 8:23 and Mark 1:45. It can also imply a sense of movement or action. The KJV translates it in various ways.

Definition: εἰς, prep. with accusative, expressing entrance, direction, limit, into, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among (Lat. in, with accusative). __I. Of place. __1. After verbs of motion; __(a) of entrance into: Mat.8:23, 9:7, Mrk.1:45, Luk.2:15, 8:31, al.; __(b) of approach, to or towards: Mrk.11:1, Luk.6:8, 19:28, Jhn.11:31, 21:6, al.; __(with) before pl. and collective nouns, among: Mrk.4:7, 8:19, 20, Luk.11:49, Jhn.21:23, al.; __(d) Of a limit reached, unto, on, upon: Mat.8:18, 21:1, Mrk.11:1, 13:16, Luk.14:10, Jhn.6:3, 11:32, al.; with accusative of person(s) (as in Ep. and Ion.), Act.23:15, Rom.5:12, 16:19, 2Co.10:14; __(e) elliptical: ἐπιστολαὶ εἰς Δαμασκόν, Act.9:2; ἡ διακονία μου ἡ εἰς Ἱ., Rom.15:31; metaphorically, of entrance into a certain state or condition, or of approach or direction towards some end (Thayer, B, i, 1; ii, 1), εἰς τ. ὄνομα, M, Pr., 200. __2. Of direction; __(a) after verbs of seeing: Mat.6:26, Mrk.6:41, Luk.9:16, 62, Jhn.13:22, al.; metaphorically, of the mind, Heb.11:26, 12:2, al.; __(b) after verbs of speaking: Mat.13:10, 14:9, 1Th.2:9, al. __3. After verbs of rest; __(a) in "pregnant" construction, implying previous motion (cl.; see WM, 516; Bl., §39, 3; M, Pr., 234f.): Mat.2:23, 4:13, 2Th.2:4, 2Ti.1:11, Heb.11:9, al.; __(b) by an assimilation general in late Gk (see Bl., M, Pr., ll. with) = ἐν: Luk.1:44, 4:23, Act.20:16, 21:17, Jhn.1:18 (but see Westc, in l.), al. __II. Of time, for, unto; __1. accentuating the duration expressed by the accusative: εἰς τ. αἰῶνα, Mat.21:19; εἰς γενεὰς καὶ γ., Luk.1:50; εἰς τ. διηνεκές, Heb.7:3, al. __2. Of a point or limit of time, unto, up to, until: Mat.6:34, Act.4:3, 25:21, Php.1:10, 2:16, 1Th.4:15, 2Ti.1:12; of entrance into a future period, σεις τὸ μέλλον (see: μέλλω), next (year), Luk.13:9 (but with ICC, in l.); εἰς τ. μεταξὺ σάββατον, on the next Sabbath, Act.13:42; εἰς τὸ πάλιν (see: πάλιν, 2Co.13:2. __III. Of result, after verbs of changing, joining, dividing, etc.: στρέφειν εἰς, Rev.11:6; μετας-, Act.2:20, Jas.4:9; μεταλλάσσειν, Rom.1:26; σχίζειν εἰς δύο, Mat.27:51, al.; predicatively with εἴναι, Act.8:23. __IV. Of relation, to, towards, for, in regard to (so in cl., but more frequently in late Gk., εἰς encroaching on the simple dative, which it has wholly displaced in MGr.; Jannaris, Gr., §1541; Robertson, Gr., 594; Deiss., BS, 117f.): Luk.7:30, Rom.4:20, 15:2, 26, 1Co.16:1, Eph.3:16, al.; ἀγάπη εἰς, Rom.5:8, al.; χρηστός, Eph.4:32; φρονεῖν εἰς, Rom.12:16; θαρρεῖν, 2Co.10:1. __V. Of the end or object: εὔθετος εἰς, Luk.14:34; σόφος, Rom.16:19; ἰσχύειν, Mat.5:13; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, al.; ἀφορίζειν εἰς, Rom.1:1; indicating purpose, εἰς φόβον, Rom.8:15; εἰς ἔνδειξιν, Rom.3:25; εἰς τό, with inf. (= ἵνα or ὥστε; Bl., §71, 5; M, Pr., 218ff.): Mat.20:19, Rom.1:11, 1Co.9:18, al. __VI. Adverbial phrases: εἰς τέλος, εἰς τὸ πάλιν, etc (see: τέλος, πάλιν, etc.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1512 NT verses. KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Peter 1:2.

εφεσον ephesos G2181 "Ephesus" Noun-ASF

Ephesus was a city in Asia Minor, mentioned in Acts 18:19 and 1 Corinthians 15:32. It was an important city in the New Testament era. The KJV translates it as 'Ephesus'.

Definition: Ἔφεσος, -ου, ἡ Ephesus, a city in Asia Minor Act.18:19, 21 18:24, 27 19:1, 17 19:26 (on the genitive, see M, Pr., 73) Act.20:16-17, 1Co.15:32 16:8, Eph.1:1, 1Ti.1:3, 2Ti.1:18 4:12, Rev.1:11 2:1.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: Ephesus See also: 1 Corinthians 15:32; Acts 19:1; Revelation 1:11.

μετεκαλεσατο metakaleō G3333 "to summon" Verb-AMI-3S

To summon someone to come to a different place, as seen in Acts 7:14 and 10:32. It means to call someone to leave where they are and go somewhere else. This word is about inviting or calling someone to a new location.

Definition: μετα-καλέω, -ῶ [in LXX: Hos.11:1-2 (קָרָא), I Est.1:50 * ;] to call from one place to another. Mid., to send for: with accusative, Act.7:14 10:32 20:17 24:25.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: call (for, hither) See also: Acts 7:14; Acts 20:17; Acts 24:25.

τους ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

πρεσβυτερους presbuteros G4245 "elder: Elder" Adj-APM-C

An elder is an older person, often a respected leader in the community, like those mentioned in Matthew 15:2 and 1 Timothy 5:1-2.

Definition: πρέσβυς, -εως, ὁ poët. form of πρεσβύτης (which see), [in LXX (= πρεσβευτής, an ambassador): Num.21:20 (21), al. (מֲלְאָךְ), Isa.13:8 57:9 (צִיר), 1Ma.9:70, al. ;] an old man. Compar., πρεσβύτερος, -α, -ον, [in LXX chiefly for זָקֵן ;] __1. of age, elder: ὁ νἱὸς ὁ π., Luk.15:25; as subst., opposite to νεανίσκοι, Act.2:17; to νεώτερος, 1Ti.5:1-2; of the religious leaders of the past, Mat.15:2, Mrk.7:3, 5, Heb.11:2 (= οἱ πατέρες, Heb.1:1). __2. Of dignity, rank or office (as found in π. and Inscr. of civil and religious offices, including priesthood, in Asia Minor and in Egypt; see Deiss., BS, 154 ff., 233 If.; LAE, 373); __(a) among Jews: Mat.16:21 26:47, 57 27:3, 12 27:20, 41 28:12, Mrk.8:31 11:27 14:43, 53 15:1, Luk.7:3 9:22 20:1 22:52, Jhn.8:9, Act.4:5, 8 4:23 6:12 23:14 24:1; τ. Ἰουνδαίων, Act.25:15; τ. λαοῦ, Mat.21:23 26:3 27:1; __(b) among Christians: Act.11:30 14:23 15:2, 4 15:6, 22-23 16:4 21:18, 1Ti.5:17 5:19, Tit.1:5, II Jn 1, 3Jn.1, 1Pe.5:1 5:5; τ. ἐκκλησίας, Act.20:17, Jas.5:14; __(with) in the visions of the Apocalypse: Rev.4:4, 10 5:5-6, 8 5:11, 14 7:11, 13 11:16 14:3 19:4. (On the NT use of this word and its relation to ἐπίσκοπος (which see), cf. Lft., Phi., 93 ff., 189 ff.; CGT, Past. Epp., lvi ff.) † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 67 NT verses. KJV: elder(-est), old See also: 1 Peter 5:1; Luke 22:52; 1 Peter 5:5.

της ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

εκκλησιας ekklēsia G1577 "assembly" Noun-GSF

An assembly refers to a group of people gathered together for a common purpose, like a church or community, as seen in Acts 19:32 and Hebrews 2:12. This term is used to describe both Jewish and Christian communities.

Definition: ἐκκλησία, -ας, ἡ (ἐκ-καλέω), [in LXX chiefly for קָהָל, otherwise for one of its cogn. forms ;] __1. prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opposite to σύλλογος, a concourse): Act.19:32, 39 41. __2. In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (Deu.4:10 23:2, al.): Act.7:38, Heb.2:12" (LXX) . __3. NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church; __(a) of gatherings for worship: 1Co.11:18 14:19, 34 35; __(b) of local communities: Act.8:3, 1Co.4:17; with name added, Act.8:1, Rom.16:1, 1Th.1:1, al.; pl., Act.15:41, 1Co.7:17; τ. Χριστοῦ, Rom.16:16; τ. Ἀσίας, 1Co.16:19; τ. ἁγίων, 1Co.14:33; εἰπο]ν τ. ἐκκλησίᾳ, Mat.18:17 (but see Hort, Ecclesia, 10); of a house-congregation (DB, i, 431a), Rom.16:5, 1Co.16:19, Col.4:15, Phm 2; __(with) of the whole body of Christians: Mat.16:18, 1Co.12:28, Eph.1:22, Php.3:6, al.; τ. θεοῦ, Act.20:28 (Κυρίου, T, R, mg.), 1Co.15:9, Gal.1:13, 1Ti.3:15; ἐ. προτοτόκων ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς, Heb.12:23. SYN.: συναγωγή, which see (see Tr., Syn., §i; DB, i, 426; Hort, Ecclesia, esp. 4ff., 107ff.; Hamilton, People of God, ii, 37ff.; reff. s.vv. "Church," "Congregation," in DB and DCG; Cremer, 332). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 112 NT verses. KJV: assembly, church See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 15:41; Hebrews 2:12.

Study Notes — Acts 20:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Acts 20:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Acts 20:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 20:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 20:17
Trapp's Commentary on Acts 20:17
Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 20:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 20:17
Cambridge Bible on Acts 20:17
Barnes' Notes on Acts 20:17
Whedon's Commentary on Acts 20:17
Sermons on Acts 20:17

Context — Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians

15Sailing on from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The day after that we arrived at Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus. 16Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

17From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

18When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Titus 1:5	The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
2	Acts 11:30	This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
3	1 Timothy 5:17	Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
4	Acts 14:23	Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
5	Acts 20:28	Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
6	James 5:14	Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
7	Acts 16:4	As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
8	Acts 15:6	So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
9	3 John 1:1	The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
10	Acts 15:4	On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.

Acts 20:17 Summary

In this verse, we see Paul sending for the elders of the church in Ephesus, which shows how much he cared about the church and its leaders. He wanted to meet with them and share his experiences before continuing his journey to Jerusalem, which was motivated by his desire to be there by the day of Pentecost, as mentioned in Acts 20:16. This verse teaches us about the importance of valuing our relationships with other believers and church leaders, just like Paul did, and being willing to adapt our plans to prioritize these relationships, as seen in Acts 20:16. By doing so, we can follow Paul's example and demonstrate our commitment to the church and its leaders, as encouraged in Hebrews 10:24-25.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Paul send for the elders of the church in Ephesus?

Paul sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus because he wanted to meet with them and share his experiences, as seen in Acts 20:18-19, before continuing his journey to Jerusalem, which was motivated by his desire to be there by the day of Pentecost, as mentioned in Acts 20:16.

What can we learn from Paul's decision to send for the elders instead of visiting them in person?

We can learn that sometimes, due to circumstances or time constraints, it's necessary to adapt our plans, as Paul did in Acts 20:16, and find alternative ways to achieve our goals, such as sending for the elders, which shows his commitment to the church and its leaders, similar to his concern for the churches in Corinth, as seen in 2 Corinthians 11:28.

How does this verse relate to Paul's overall ministry and his relationship with the church in Ephesus?

This verse highlights Paul's deep connection with the church in Ephesus, which he had established during his earlier ministry, as described in Acts 19:1-41, and his desire to maintain a strong relationship with its leaders, demonstrating his pastoral heart and concern for the well-being of the church, as emphasized in Ephesians 4:11-12.

What does this verse reveal about Paul's priorities and values?

This verse reveals that Paul prioritized his relationship with the church and its leaders, and valued the opportunity to share his experiences and teachings with them, as seen in Acts 20:18-35, which reflects his commitment to the Great Commission, as given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can demonstrate my commitment to my local church and its leaders, just like Paul did in this verse?
How can I balance my desire to achieve my goals with the need to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances, as Paul did in this passage?
What can I learn from Paul's example about the importance of maintaining strong relationships with other believers and church leaders?
In what ways can I prioritize my relationship with my local church and its leaders, and how can I ensure that I am being a supportive and encouraging presence in their lives?

Gill's Exposition on Acts 20:17

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus,.... Which is said, by some, to be about four hundred furlongs from Miletus, and, by others, ten German miles.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 20:17

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 20:17

The governors and pastors of it; elders being here a title not respecting their age, but their place; and they might be the twelve spoken of in .

Trapp's Commentary on Acts 20:17

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Ver. 17. From Miletus] A city of Asia, lower than Ephesus.

Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 20:17

(17) And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.—We find, from Acts 20:28, that they were known also as episcopi (“bishops,” or “overseers”), the two names being interchangeable at this period, and the Apostle standing in relation to those who bore them as the later Bishop did to the elders under him. (See Notes on Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5-6; 1 Peter 5:1-2.) The many presbyters represented probably, each of them, a distinct church or congregation. Most, if not all, of these must have been ordained by the Apostle himself. He had found them loyal, faithful, singularly receptive of the truth (Acts 20:20; Ephesians 3:4). He was passing, as he thought, to far-off regions, never to revisit them, and he was naturally anxious to give them parting words of counsel and of warning.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 20:17

Verse 17. He sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church.] These are called επισκοποι, bishops, Acts 20:28. By the πρεσβυτεροι, presbyters or elders, here, we are to understand all that were in authority in the Church, whether they were επισκοποι, bishops or overseers, or seniors in years, knowledge, and experience. The πρεσβυτεροι, or elders, were probably the first order in the Church; an order which was not so properly constituted, but which rose out of the state of things. From these presbuteroi the episcopoi, overseers or superintendents, were selected. Those who were eldest in years, Christian knowledge, and experience, would naturally be preferred to all others, as overseers of the Church of Christ. From the Greek word πρεσβυτερος, comes the Latin presbyterus, the English presbyter, the French prestre, and our own term priest; and all, when traced up to their original, signify merely an elderly or aged person; though it soon became the name of an office, rather than of a state of years. Now, as these elders are called επισκοποι, bishops, in Acts 20:28, we may take it for granted that they were the same order; or, rather, that these superintendents of the Church were indifferently called either presbyters or bishops. As he had not time to call at Ephesus, he thought it best to have a general convocation of the heads of that Church, to meet him at Miletus, that he might give them the instructions mentioned in the succeeding parts of this chapter.

Cambridge Bible on Acts 20:17

17–38. Paul sends for the Elders from Ephesus, gives them his parting Charge and leaves Miletus17. And … Ephesus] At Miletus the Apostle and his party must have tarried more than one day. It would take quite that time to send his messenger and summon those whom he wished to see. If they came to him on the next day, that would be consumed in their conference and leavetaking, and the voyage could hardly be begun again till the third day at the earliest.and … elders of the church] To express the force of the preposition in the compound verb the Rev. Ver. gives “called to him.” For “elders” the Gk. word is presbuteroi, and might be rendered “presbyters.” These men are called (Acts 20:28) episcopoi, i.e. “bishops” or “overseers.” It is well established that the titles “presbyter” and “bishop” were in the early days of the church synonymous.

Barnes' Notes on Acts 20:17

He sent to Ephesus - Perhaps a distance of twenty or thirty miles. The elders of the church - Who had been appointed while he was there to take charge of the church. See the notes on Acts 15:2.

Whedon's Commentary on Acts 20:17

17. Miletus—Miletus, where Paul arrived on Thursday, April 20, was located on the southwestern point of the Latmian Gulf, near the emptying of the river Meander into the sea. Sent to Ephesus—About thirty-six miles distance.

Sermons on Acts 20:17

	Sermon	Description
	The Holiness of God by Francis Chan	This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God and living a life fully committed to Him. It highlights the awe-inspiring holiness of God, the need to be prepared to f
	Church - Part 7 by Ken Baird	Ken Baird discusses the governance and history of the Church, emphasizing the role of elders and bishops as appointed by the Holy Spirit rather than by human influence. He highligh
	Bristol Conference 1977-11 Discussion on Elders by Stan Ford	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not giving up on sinners who have strayed from the faith. He encourages believers to continue reaching out and forgiving th
	Bread Enough to Give by G.W. North	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God without holding anything back. He shares his own experience of being told not to give away too mu
	The Olympic Games Continued by Phil Beach Jr.	Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of living a life dedicated to fulfilling God's calling, using the metaphor of the Olympic Games to illustrate the Christian race. He highli
	Commentary Notes - Acts by Walter Beuttler	Walter Beuttler preaches on the Book of Acts, highlighting the comprehensive yet limited title 'The Acts of the Apostles' as it mainly focuses on Peter and Paul's ministries, inclu
	Watch by Tom Macartney	Tom Macartney preaches on the importance of watchfulness in the scriptures, emphasizing the need for vigilance, wakefulness, and spiritual alertness in our devotion to the Lord. He