Acts 20:31
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Acts 20:31 in other translations
| BSB | Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. |
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| WEB | Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. |
| ASV | Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears. |
| YLT | ‘Therefore, watch, remembering that three years, night and day, I did not cease with tears warning each one; |
| DARBY | Wherefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not admonishing each one of you with tears. |
| BBE | So keep watch, having in mind that for three years without resting I was teaching every one of you, day and night, with weeping. |
| Webster | Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. |
What does Acts 20:31 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Remember. Recall my counsels and admonitions in reference to these dangers.
By the space of three years. In Acts 19:10, we are told that Paul spent two years in the school of Tyrannus. In Acts 19:8, it is said that he was teaching in the synagogue at Ephesus three months. In addition to this it is not improbable that he spent some months more in Ephesus in instructing the church in other places. Perhaps, however, by the phrase three years, he meant to use merely a round number, denoting about three years; or, in accordance with the Jewish customs, part of each of the three years-- one whole year, and a considerable portion of the two others. Mt 12:40.
I ceased not. I continued to do it.
To warn. To admonish; to place before the mind, νουθετων; setting the danger and duty of each individual before him.
Every one. He had thus set them an example of what he had enjoined, Acts 20:28. He had admonished each individual, whatever was his rank or standing. It is well when a minister can refer to his own example as an illustration of what he meant by his precepts.
Night and day. Continually; by every opportunity.
With tears. Expressive of his deep feeling and his deep interest in their welfare. Acts 20:19.
(e) "watch" 2Ti 4:5 (*) "warn" "admonish" (f) "every one" Col 1:28
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 20:28-38
If the Holy Ghost has made ministers overseers of the flock, that is, shepherds, they must be true to their trust. Let them consider their Master's concern for the flock committed to their charge. It is the church He has purchased with his own blood. The blood was his as Man; yet so close is the union between the Divine and human nature, that it is there called the blood of God, for it was the blood of Him who is…
Acts 20:31 in the original Greek
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Acts 20:31
- Acts 19:8
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
- Acts 19:10
And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
- Acts 20:19
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
- Ezekiel 3:17-20
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
- Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
- Colossians 1:28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
- Matthew 13:25
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
- Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
- 2 Timothy 4:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
- Revelation 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
- Acts 24:17
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
- Acts 20:11
When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Acts 20:30
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
- Acts 20:31
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
- Acts 20:32
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Acts 20:31 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Por tanto, velad, acordándoos que por tres años de noche y de día, no he cesado de amonestar con lágrimas á cada uno. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | C’est pourquoi veillez, vous souvenant que, durant trois ans, je n’ai cessé nuit et jour d’avertir chacun de vous avec larmes. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Darum wachet und gedenket, daß ich drei Jahre lang Nacht und Tag nicht aufgehört habe, einen jeden mit Tränen zu ermahnen. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Propter quod vigilate, memoria retinentes quoniam per triennium nocte et die non cessavi, cum lacrimis monens unumquemque vestrum. |