And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

ACTS 20:7KJV
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Acts 20:7 (KJV)

What does Acts 20:7 mean?

Acts 20:7 describes a gathering of Jesus’ followers in Troas on the first day of the week. Paul spoke to them at length because he was about to leave the next day. His approaching departure helps explain why the meeting continued so late.

The believers came together “to break bread,” a phrase that pictures people sharing food by breaking a loaf. The scene is told by the narrator of Acts, who was among Paul’s traveling companions at this point, as the word “we” in verse 6 shows.

The Greek behind Acts 20:7

  • “preached” — διαλέγομαι (dialegomai): This word can mean to discuss or reason with others. The KJV’s “preached” can suggest a formal speech, but the Greek also allows for conversation or discussion.
  • “speech” — λόγος (logos): This word can mean a message or spoken words. Here the Greek describes what Paul prolonged until midnight, without specifying every detail of its form.

Why Acts 20:7 matters

  • The gathering took place on the first day of the week, corresponding to Sunday. Acts places the shared bread and Paul’s speaking within the same meeting.
  • The late hour matters for what follows. Verse 9 describes a young man named Eutychus becoming deeply sleepy while Paul continued speaking and falling from a window.
  • “Break bread” can refer to sharing an ordinary meal or to the meal Jesus’ followers shared in remembrance of him. The phrase itself does not specify which sense is intended here.

Where else these words appear

“depart” Greek G1826 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
  • Acts 17:15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
  • Acts 27:43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

“midnight” Greek G3317 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
  • Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
  • Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

“preached” Greek G1256 · used in 13 verses

  • Mark 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
  • Acts 18:19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
  • Acts 24:12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

“break” Greek G2806 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
  • Mark 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
  • Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,