The Meaning of Acts 20:8 Explained

Acts 20:8

KJV: And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

YLT: and there were many lamps in the upper chamber where they were gathered together,

Darby: And there were many lights in the upper room where we were assembled.

ASV: And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  there were  many  lights  in  the upper chamber,  where  they were  gathered together. 

What does Acts 20:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 20:1-12 - A Messenger Of Truth And Life
The Second Epistle to the Corinthians should be read with the introductory verses of this chapter, as it reveals the Apostle's inner mind at this time. He seems to have been less impressed with the imminent peril from which he had been rescued, and more solicitous as to the condition of the church at Corinth, to which he had addressed his first Epistle during the early days of his Ephesian ministry.
Into how small a compass, Acts 20:3, the evangelist crowds the three months' ministry in Greece, where he visited the scenes of his memorable first journey. In a few lines he enumerates the companions of his return journey, and before we are well aware we are back again in Troas and on our way to Jerusalem.
Notice that reference to the breaking of bread on the first day of the week, Acts 20:7. This proves that the primitive Church was adopting the first day of the week for its characteristic meal; and as the Gentile element became predominant, it is easy to see how gradually and inevitably Sunday superseded Saturday as the rest day. See also Colossians 2:16. It is possible that Eutychus was not already dead, although believed to be so. In that case, Paul's loving embrace and prayer restored him from the swoon that might easily have become death. Can we not imagine the theme of that talk which lasted till dawn! [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 20

1  Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas
7  He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches
9  Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life
13  Paul continues his travels;
17  and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself,
28  commits God's flock to them,
29  warns them of false teachers,
32  commends them to God,
36  prays with them, and departs

Greek Commentary for Acts 20:8

Many lights [λαμπαδες ικαναι]
It was dark at night since the full moon (passover) was three weeks behind. These lamps were probably filled with oil and had wicks that flickered and smoked. They would not meet in the dark. [source]
In the upper room [εν τωι υπερωιωι]
As in Acts 1:13 which see. [source]
Many lights []
A detail showing the vivid impression of the scene upon an eye-witness. It has been remarked that the abundance of lights shows how little of secrecy or disorder attached to these meetings. [source]
The upper chamber []
See on Acts 1:13. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 20:8

Matthew 25:1 Lamps [λαμπαδας]
Probably torches with a wooden staff and a dish on top in which was placed a piece of rope or cloth dipped in oil or pitch. But sometimes λαμπας — lampas has the meaning of oil lamp (λυχνος — luchnos) as in Acts 20:8. That may be the meaning here (Rutherford, New Phrynichus). [source]
Acts 1:13 An upper room [τὸ ὑπερῷον]
With the article, denoting some well-known place of resort. It was the name given to the room directly under the flat roof. Such rooms were often set apart as halls for meetings. In such an apartment Paul delivered his farewell address at Troas (Acts 20:8), and the body of Dorcas was laid (Acts 9:37). Used by Luke only. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 20:8 mean?

There were now lamps many in the upper room where we were assembled
Ἦσαν δὲ λαμπάδες ἱκαναὶ ἐν τῷ ὑπερῴῳ οὗ ἦμεν συνηγμένοι

Ἦσαν  There  were 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
λαμπάδες  lamps 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: λαμπάς 
Sense: a torch.
ἱκαναὶ  many 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: ἱκανός  
Sense: sufficient.
ὑπερῴῳ  upper  room 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὑπερῷον  
Sense: the highest part of the house, the upper rooms or story where the women resided.
οὗ  where 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὗ  
Sense: where.
ἦμεν  we  were 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
συνηγμένοι  assembled 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: συνάγω  
Sense: to gather together, to gather.

What are the major concepts related to Acts 20:8?

Loading Information...