Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 20:25

"And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more." — Acts 20:25 (ASV)

I know that ye all . . . shall see my face no more.—It is clear from these words, as well as from Romans 15:23-24, that at this time St. Paul did not contemplate any further work in the Roman province of Asia, or in Greece. It is as clear, if we accept the Pastoral Epistles as genuine, that he did revisit Asia (2 Timothy 1:15), and that that visit included Troas (2 Timothy 4:13), Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20), and, in all probability, Ephesus also (1 Timothy 1:3).

We need not be startled at this seeming discrepancy. The Apostle expressly disclaims foresight of his own future, and when he says, “I know,” he speaks in the way people do when they take the fulfillment of their purpose for granted.

In one sense, perhaps, his words were true. When he returned to Asia, and all were turned away from him (2 Timothy 1:15), how many of that company was he likely to have met again?