THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

MJ3-009

🙏 Miletus — Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Paul is hurrying toward Jerusalem, but before he leaves the region of Asia he sends for the elders of the church in Ephesus.

At Miletus, he gives one of the most personal and moving speeches in Acts: a testimony of faithful service, a warning about future danger, and a final charge to shepherd God's people.

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock...” — Acts 20:28, NKJV

FEATURED MUSEUM ARTWORK

Miletus — A Farewell Filled with Tears

Museum reconstruction of Paul meeting the Ephesian elders at Miletus and praying with them before his departure — **Artist's Reconstruction — Acts 20:13–38** This museum artwork presents Paul's meeting with the Ephesian elders at Miletus. The shoreline, harbor, clothing, group arrangement, and individual expressions are interpretive, while Acts records Paul's testimony of ministry, his warning about future threats, his charge to shepherd the flock, the group's prayer, their tears, and their final embrace before escorting him to the ship.

Museum Collection: Third Missionary Journey Exhibit: MJ3-009 Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum Studio

The Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum & Resource Centre

Third Missionary Journey Permanent Collection

Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:13–38

ExhibitMJ3-009

LocationMiletus

Key FocusFaithful ministry, shepherding, warning and farewell

Journey StageReturn journey toward Jerusalem

Biblical Significance: Paul's words at Miletus reveal the heart of pastoral leadership. He points to his own example of humble and sacrificial service, reminds the elders that he proclaimed the whole counsel of God, warns them to guard the flock, and entrusts them to God and to the word of His grace.

THE JOURNEY SOUTH

From Troas Toward Miletus

Paul and his companions continue southward along the western coast of Asia Minor.

Acts names several coastal stops as the group makes its way toward Miletus.

TRAVEL ROUTE

Troas → Assos → Mitylene → Chios → Samos → Miletus

WHY MILETUS?

Paul Chooses Not to Stop in Ephesus

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus because he did not want to spend additional time in Asia.

He was hurrying, if possible, to be in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost.

“For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.”
Acts 20:16, NKJV

THE ELDERS ARE SUMMONED

Paul Sends to Ephesus

From Miletus, Paul sends a message to Ephesus asking the elders of the church to come to him.

Rather than returning to the city himself, he gathers its leaders for a final meeting.

MUSEUM OBSERVATION

The setting is significant: this is not a public sermon to strangers, but a deeply personal charge to leaders who knew Paul's ministry firsthand.

PAUL'S TESTIMONY

Serving the Lord with Humility and Tears

Paul reminds the elders how he lived among them from the first day he came to Asia.

His ministry was marked by humility, tears, trials, public teaching, and house-to-house instruction.

“...serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials...”
Acts 20:19, NKJV

THE MESSAGE PAUL PREACHED

Repentance Toward God and Faith Toward Jesus Christ

Nothing Profitable Withheld

Paul says he kept back nothing that was helpful to the believers.

He taught publicly and from house to house.

The Core Testimony

He testified to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.

BOUND IN THE SPIRIT

Paul Knows Trouble Awaits

Paul explains that he is going to Jerusalem without knowing every detail of what will happen there.

What he does know is sobering: the Holy Spirit has testified that chains and tribulations await him.

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy...”
Acts 20:24, NKJV

A CLEAR CONSCIENCE

The Whole Counsel of God

Paul tells the elders that he has not avoided declaring the whole counsel of God.

His farewell is therefore not the regret of a man who left the work unfinished.

MINISTRY PRINCIPLE

Faithful ministry does not select only the easy, popular, or comfortable parts of God's truth.

THE CHARGE

Take Heed to Yourselves and to All the Flock

Paul's attention now turns directly to the responsibility of the elders.

They are to guard themselves and care for the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers.

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God...”
Acts 20:28, NKJV

THE WARNING

Savage Wolves Will Come

Danger from Outside

Paul warns that savage wolves will come in among the believers and will not spare the flock.

Danger from Within

He also warns that men will arise from among their own number, speaking perverse things to draw disciples after themselves.

PAUL'S RESPONSE

“Therefore watch...” The elders are called to vigilance, discernment, and faithful care.

ENTRUSTED TO GOD

The Word of His Grace

Paul knows he cannot remain with them.

So he entrusts the elders not merely to a method or institution, but to God Himself and to the word of His grace.

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up...”
Acts 20:32, NKJV

AN EXAMPLE OF SERVICE

“It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive”

Paul reminds the elders that he did not covet anyone's silver, gold, or clothing.

His own hands helped provide for his needs and those of his companions.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35, NKJV

THE FINAL PRAYER

They Knelt Down Together

When Paul finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

The farewell then becomes intensely personal.

The elders weep, embrace Paul, and kiss him.

THEIR DEEPEST SORROW

Acts says they sorrowed most of all because Paul had said they would see his face no more.

THE FAREWELL IN EIGHT MOMENTS

Miletus at a Glance

01

The Elders Come

Paul summons the Ephesian elders to Miletus.

02

His Example

He recalls serving with humility, tears and perseverance.

03

His Message

Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.

04

His Future

Chains and tribulations await him.

05

The Charge

Guard yourselves and shepherd the flock.

06

The Warning

Savage wolves and false teachers will arise.

07

The Commendation

Paul entrusts them to God and the word of His grace.

08

The Tears

They pray, embrace, and accompany Paul to the ship.

LIFE APPLICATION

What Will Remain After You Leave?

Paul's farewell is powerful because his words are supported by the life he lived among them.

CONSIDER

If you had to leave today, would the people you influenced remember only what you said, or would they also remember a life that demonstrated those words?

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE...

The Final Leg Toward Jerusalem

The elders escort Paul to the ship.

From Miletus, the journey continues across the eastern Mediterranean toward Tyre, Ptolemais, Caesarea, and finally Jerusalem.

The Third Missionary Journey is approaching its final exhibit.

CONTINUE THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Next: Caesarea to Jerusalem

You have completed Exhibit MJ3-009 — Miletus: Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders.

CARRY THE WORD WITH YOU

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up...”
Acts 20:32, NKJV