Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Acts 20:11 - 20:11
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
When he was gone up (anabas). Second aorist active participle in sharp contrast to katabas (went down) of Act 20:10.
Had broken bread (klasas ton arton). Probably the Eucharist to observe which ordinance Paul had come and tarried (Act 20:7), though some scholars distinguish between what took place in Act 20:7and Act 20:11, needlessly so as was stated on Act 20:7.
And eaten (kai geusamenos). The word is used in Act 10:10 of eating an ordinary meal and so might apply to the Agapē, but it suits equally for the Eucharist. The accident had interrupted Paul’s sermon so that it was observed now and then Paul resumed his discourse.
And had talked with them a long while (eph' hikanon te homilēsas). Luke, as we have seen, is fond of hikanos for periods of time, for a considerable space of time, “even till break of day” (achri augēs). Old word for brightness, radiance like German Auge, English eye, only here in the N.T. Occurs in the papyri and in modern Greek for dawn. This second discourse lasted from midnight till dawn and was probably more informal (as in Act 10:27) and conversational (homilēsas, though our word homiletics comes from homileō) than the discourse before midnight (dialegomai, Act 20:7, Act 20:9). He had much to say before he left.
So he departed (houtōs exēlthen). Thus Luke sums up the result. Paul left (went forth) only after all the events narrated by the numerous preceding participles had taken place. Effective aorist active indicative exelthen. Houtōs here equals tum demum, now at length (Act 27:7) as Page shows.