John 20
Acts 20 describes the concluding phase of Paul’s third missionary journey. It focuses on an emotional farewell with the Ephesian elders, alongside scenes of him traveling through various regions to proclaim the gospel and build up communities. In particular, the incident of Eutychus being restored to life, as well as Paul’s words of encouragement in Miletus and the tearful farewell, vividly reveals the living spirituality of the early faith community and Paul’s strong sense of mission.
This chapter brings together Paul’s personal confession and pastoral exhortation, illuminating how the church and God’s people today should live in response to his spiritual leadership and his commitment to the gospel.
1verseNow on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
2verseTherefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
3verseTherefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb.
4verseThey both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
5verseStooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in.
6verseThen Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying,
7verseand the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
8verseSo then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.
9verseFor as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
10verseSo the disciples went away again to their own homes.
11verseBut Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb,
12verseand she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13verseThey asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.”
14verseWhen she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.
15verseJesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
16verseJesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
17verseJesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18verseMary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
19verseWhen therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
20verseWhen he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.
21verseJesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”
22verseWhen he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!
23verseIf you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
24verseBut Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.
25verseThe other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26verseAfter eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.”
27verseThen he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
28verseThomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29verseJesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
30verseTherefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book;
31versebut these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Paul’s Final Missionary Journey (Verses 1–6)
Acts 20 begins at the point when Paul’s third missionary journey is drawing to a close. After the commotion in Ephesus calms down, he visits Macedonia and the region of Greece and exhorts many people. In particular, the way he changes his route due to a plot by the Jews in verse 3 shows that Paul continues to carry out his ministry despite constant threats.
Also, verses 4–6 mention the names of fellow workers who followed Paul, confirming that his work was never done by his strength alone. Fellow workers from various regions symbolize the universality and unity of the early church.
The Incident of Eutychus in Troas (Verses 7–12)
In Troas, Paul speaks with the believers gathered on the first day of the week and preaches late into the night. This scene is considered to reflect the tradition of the early church meeting for worship on Sunday—the day after the Sabbath.
At that time, a young man named Eutychus is sitting on the windowsill, falls from the third floor because of sleepiness, and dies; then a miracle occurs in which Paul embraces him and brings him back to life. On the one hand, this is an event that reveals Paul’s apostolic authority. On the other hand, it shows the early church’s vibrant life—how the community restores itself to faith when crises arise within it.
Paul’s Farewell to the Elders in Miletus (Verses 13–38)
The latter part of this chapter contains a deeply moving scene: Paul calls for the Ephesian elders to come to Miletus and delivers his final exhortation. He recalls how he faithfully proclaimed the gospel even amid tears and trials. Although he anticipates the hardships that lie ahead, he confesses that he will not stop preaching the gospel.(Verse 24).
Paul warns the elders that after he is gone, “vicious wolves” will try to harm the church, so they must stay alert. He explains that he made the life of serving and sharing his example, not seeking material gain, and “there is more blessing in giving than in receiving” brings his words to a close. After that, the scene where everyone says farewell to Paul with tears makes you feel their deep love and trust.
Points for Reflection
- Even amid threats and hardships, Paul did not give up his mission. Today, we are led to reflect on how much we are committed to the gospel.
- The community worship and gatherings centered on the word in Troas invite us to think again about what the essence of worship and community is today.
- Paul’s exhortation in Miletus becomes an example of leadership, faithful service, and caring for the community. We can deeply reflect on how the church should be built up and protected.
Applying It to My Life
- Like Paul, am I also living my life centered on the gospel?
- Within the community I belong to, am I fulfilling well the role of serving and caring for others?
- Do I need a decision today to carry out the calling I received before God to the very end?
As part of Coupang Partners activities, this post may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
