And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook [his] raiment, and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I [am] clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous [man], that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Acts 20:26
Acts 20:26 is a part of Paul's farewell speech to the Ephesian elders, which takes place during his third missionary journey as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. This verse is embedded within the larger context of Paul's passionate address, where he reflects on his ministry and the responsibilities of church leaders.
In this verse, Paul is emphasizing his own conscience's clarity regarding his duty to teach and preach the gospel fully. The phrase "pure from the blood of all men" is a metaphor suggesting that Paul has not shirked from his responsibility to warn and guide people, thus ensuring that he is not accountable for their potential spiritual death or damnation. This metaphor draws on the idea that a person who fails to warn others of impending danger is culpable for their harm, much like a shepherd who fails to protect the flock from predators.
Historically, this statement reflects the weight of responsibility that early Christian leaders like Paul felt in shepherding their communities. It underscores the importance of proclaiming the message of Christ without compromise, ensuring that believers are adequately equipped to maintain their faith. Paul's declaration of innocence is also a form of defense against any potential accusations that he might have neglected his apostolic duties or taught falsely, which was a serious concern in the early church amidst various heresies and challenges to the fledgling Christian movement.
In summary, Acts 20:26 captures a poignant moment where Paul asserts his faithful discharge of duty as an apostle and leader, taking care to ensure that his teachings have been thorough and true, thereby discharging his responsibility to the community and before God. This verse reflects the themes of accountability, integrity in ministry, and the importance of sound teaching within the early Christian church.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: G1352 There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: διό Transliteration: dió Pronunciation: dee-o' Description: from διά and ὅς; through which thing, i.e. consequently:--for which cause, therefore, wherefore.
Strong's Number: G3143 There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: μαρτύρομαι Transliteration: martýromai Pronunciation: mar-too'-rom-ahee Description: middle voice from μάρτυς; to be adduced as a witness, i.e. (figuratively) to obtest (in affirmation or exhortation):--take to record, testify.
Strong's Number: G5213 There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὑμῖν Transliteration: hymîn Pronunciation: hoo-min' Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
Strong's Number: G1722 There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐν Transliteration: en Pronunciation: en Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Strong's Number: G4594 There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: σήμερον Transliteration: sḗmeron Pronunciation: say'-mer-on Description: neuter (as adverb) of a presumed compound of the article ὁ (t changed to s) and ἡμέρα; on the (i.e. this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. at present, hitherto):--this (to-)day.
Strong's Number: G2250 There are 366 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἡμέρα Transliteration: hēméra Pronunciation: hay-mer'-ah Description: feminine (with ὥρα implied) of a derivative of (to sit; akin to the base of ἑδραῖος) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
Strong's Number: G3754 There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὅτι Transliteration: hóti Pronunciation: hot'-ee Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Strong's Number: G1473 There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐγώ Transliteration: egṓ Pronunciation: eg-o' Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
Strong's Number: G2513 There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: καθαρός Transliteration: katharós Pronunciation: kath-ar-os' Description: of uncertain affinity; clean (literally or figuratively):--clean, clear, pure.
Strong's Number: G575 There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἀπό Transliteration: apó Pronunciation: apo' Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
Strong's Number: G129 There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: αἷμα Transliteration: haîma Pronunciation: hah'-ee-mah Description: of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred:--blood.
Strong's Number: G3956 There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πᾶς Transliteration: pâs Pronunciation: pas Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.