Acts 20 · Verse 17

Acts 20:17

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Acts 20:17, King James Version

Acts 20:17 in other translations

BSBFrom Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
WEBFrom Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the assembly.
ASVAnd from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
YLTAnd from Miletus, having sent to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the assembly,
DARBYBut from Miletus having sent to Ephesus, he called over to him the elders of the assembly.
BBEAnd from Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the rulers of the church.
WebsterAnd from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

What does Acts 20:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church--As he was now some forty miles south of Ephesus, we might think that more time would be lost by sending thus far for the elders to come to him, than by going at once to Ephesus itself, when so near it. But if unfavorable winds and stormy weather had overtaken them, his object could not have been attained, and perhaps he was unwilling to run the risk of detention at Ephesus by the state of the church and other causes. Those here called "elders" or "presbyters," are in Ac 20:28 called "bishops." (See on Ac 20:28). The identity of presbyters and bishops in the New Testament is beyond all reasonable dispute.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. He sent to Ephesus. Perhaps a distance of forty miles.

The elders of the church. Who had been appointed while he was there to take charge of the church. Acts 15:2.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 He sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church - These are called επισκοποι, bishops, Act 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 Act 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 20:17-27
The elders knew that Paul was no designing, self-seeking man. Those who would in any office serve the Lord acceptably, and profitably to others, must do it with humility. He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his message so as to be understood. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the gospel as a testimony to them if they received it; but as a testimony against them if they rejected it. He was a profitable preacher; one that aimed to inform their judgments, and reform their hearts and lives. He was a painful preacher, very industrious in his work. He was a faithful preacher; he did not keep back reproofs when necessary, nor keep back the preaching of the cross. He was a truly Christian, evangelical preacher; he did not preach notions or doubtful matters; nor affairs of state or the civil government; but he preached faith and repentance. A better summary of these things, without which there is no salvation, cannot be given: even repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, with their fruits and effects. Without these no sinner can escape, and with these none will come short of eternal life. Let them not think that Paul left Asia for fear of persecution; he was in full expectation of trouble, yet resolved to go on, well assured that it was by Divine direction. Thanks be to God that we know not the things which shall befall us during the year, the week, the day which has begun. It is enough for the child of God to know that his strength shall be equal to his day. He knows not, he would not know, what the day before him shall bring forth. The powerful influences of the Holy Spirit bind the true Christian to his duty. Even when he expects persecution and affliction, the love of Christ constrains him to proceed. None of these things moved Paul from his work; they did not deprive him of his comfort. It is the business of our life to provide for a joyful death. Believing that this was the last time they should see him, he appeals concerning his integrity. He had preached to them the whole counsel of God. As he had preached to them the gospel purely, so he had preached it to them entire; he faithfully did his work, whether men would bear or forbear.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 20:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈπὸApoFromG575
δὲdethenG1161
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
ΜιλήτουMilētouMiletusG3399
πέμψαςpempsashaving sentG3992
εἰςeistoG1519
ἜφεσονEphesonEphesusG2181
μετεκαλέσατοmetekalesatohe called forG3333
τοὺςtoustheG3588
πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterouseldersG4245
τῆςtēsof theG3588
ἐκκλησίας.ekklēsiaschurch.G1577

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 20:17

  • 1 Timothy 5:17

    Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

  • Acts 11:30

    Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

  • Titus 1:5

    For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

  • James 5:14

    Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

  • Acts 14:23

    And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

  • Acts 16:4

    And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

  • Acts 15:4

    And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

  • Acts 15:6

    And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

  • 1 Peter 5:1

    The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

  • 3 John 1:1

    The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

  • 2 John 1:1

    The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the elders.
28; 11:30; 14:23; 15:4,6,23; 16:4; 1Ti 5:17; Tit 1:5; Jas 5:14
1Pe 5:1; 2Jo 1:1
3Jo 1:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 20:16

    For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

  • Acts 20:17

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

  • Acts 20:18

    And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

Read all of Acts 20

Acts 20:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y enviando desde Mileto á Efeso, hizo llamar á los ancianos de la iglesia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or il envoya de Milet à Éphèse, et appela auprès de lui les anciens de l’assemblée;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Von Milet aber sandte er nach Ephesus und rief die Ältesten der Versammlung herüber.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		A Mileto autem mittens Ephesum, vocavit majores natu ecclesiæ.