Acts 20:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men].

Complete Jewish Bible:

Therefore, I testify on this day that I am innocent of the blood of all.

Berean Standard Bible:

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

American Standard Version:

Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Wherefore{G1352} I take{G3143} you{G5213} to record{G3143} this{G1722}{G4594} day{G2250}, that{G3754} I{G1473} am pure{G2513} from{G575} the blood{G129} of all{G3956} men.

Cross-References (KJV):

Acts 18:6

  • 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.

Ezekiel 33:2

  • 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:

Ezekiel 33:9

  • 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.

Ezekiel 3:18

  • 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.

Ezekiel 3:21

  • 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.

John 12:17

  • The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

Romans 10:2

  • 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)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.