Acts 20 · Verse 25

Acts 20:25

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Acts 20:25, King James Version

Acts 20:25 in other translations

BSBNow I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.
WEB“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.
ASVAnd now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
YLT‘And now, lo, I have known that no more shall ye see my face, --ye all among whom I did go preaching the reign of God;
DARBYAnd now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
BBEAnd now I am conscious that you, among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom, will not see my face again.
WebsterAnd now behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

What does Acts 20:25 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 20:25-27
25-27. I know that ye all ... shall see my face no more--not an inspired prediction of what was certainly to be, but what the apostle, in his peculiar circumstances, fully expected. Whether, therefore, he ever did see them again, is a question to be decided purely on its own evidence.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 25. I know that ye all. Perhaps this means simply, "I have no expectation of seeing you again; I have every reason to suppose that this is my final interview with you." He expected to visit Ephesus no more. The journey to Jerusalem was dangerous. Trials and persecutions he knew awaited him. Besides, it is evident that he designed to turn his attention to other countries, and to visit Rome; and probably had already formed the purpose of going into Spain. See Acts 19:21. Comp. Ro 15:23-28. From all these considerations it is evident that he had no expectation of being again at Ephesus: it is probable, however, that he did again return to that city. Acts 28:31.

Among whom I have gone preaching. Among whom I have preached. The parting of a minister and people is among the most tender and affecting of the separations that occur on earth.

The kingdom of God. Making known the nature of the reign of God on earth by the Messiah. Mt 3:2.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 25 Ye all - shall see my face no more - This probably refers simply to the persons who were now present; concerning whom he might have had a Divine intimation, that they should not be found in life when he should come that way again. Or it may refer only to Ephesus and Miletus. From the dangers to which he was exposed, it was, humanly speaking, unlikely that he should ever return; and this may be all that is implied: but that he did revisit those parts, though probably not Miletus or Ephesus, appears likely from Phi 1:25-27; Phi 2:24; Plm 1:22; Heb 13:19-23. But in all these places he speaks with a measure of uncertainty: he had not an absolute evidence that he should not return; but, in his own mind, it was a matter of uncertainty. The Holy Spirit did not think proper to give him a direct revelation on this point.

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…

Read the full comment on Acts 20:17-27 →

Acts 20:25 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.

καὶkaiAndG2532
νῦνnunnowG3568
ἰδοὺidoubeholdG2400
ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473
οἶδαoidaknow
ὅτιhotithatG3754
οὐκέτιouketino longerG3756
ὄψεσθεopsestheyou will beholdG3700
τὸtotheG3588
πρόσωπόνprosōponfaceG4383
μουmouof meG3165
ὑμεῖςhumeisyou yourselvesG4771
πάντες,pantesallG3956
ἐνenamongG1722
οἷςhoiswhomG3739
διῆλθονdiēlthonI have gone aboutG1330
κηρύσσωνkērussōnproclaimingG2784
τὴνtēntheG3588
βασιλείανbasileiankingdomG932
τοῦtouof theG3588
θεοῦ.theouGod.G2316

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

Cross references for Acts 20:25

  • Acts 28:31

    Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

  • Acts 20:38

    Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

  • Matthew 4:23

    And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

  • Matthew 4:17

    From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  • Matthew 10:7

    And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  • Luke 9:60

    Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

  • Luke 16:16

    The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

  • Matthew 13:19

    When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

  • Romans 15:23

    But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

  • Galatians 1:22

    And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ:

  • Matthew 13:52

    Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

  • Colossians 2:1

    For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I know.
38; Ro 15:23
preaching.
8:12; 28:31; Mt 4:17,23; 10:7; 13:19,52; Lu 9:60; 16:16
see.
Ga 1:22; Col 2:1

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

Context

  • Acts 20:24

    But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

  • Acts 20:25

    And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

  • Acts 20:26

    Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

Read all of Acts 20

Acts 20:25 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y ahora, he aquí, yo sé que ninguno de todos vosotros, por quien he pasado predicando el reino de Dios, verá más mi rostro.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et maintenant, voici, moi je sais que vous tous, parmi lesquels j’ai passé en prêchant le royaume de Dieu, vous ne verrez plus mon visage.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und nun siehe, ich weiß, daß ihr alle, unter welchen ich, das Reich Gottes predigend, umhergegangen bin, mein Angesicht nicht mehr sehen werdet.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et nunc ecce ego scio quia amplius non videbitis faciem meam vos omnes, per quos transivi prædicans regnum Dei.