In Greek this sentence is a continuation of the sentence begun in verse 37; once again the Good News Translation has broken the sentence for ease of communication. They would never see him again must be taken as an explanation for the cause of their sadness. The relationship of the sadness to what Paul said may be expressed as “they were very sad indeed when he said to them, You will never see me again” or “they were very sad because he said….”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .