Acts 20:26
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Why I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Why I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And so I say to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men.
Webster's Revision
Wherefore I call you to witness this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
World English Bible
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men,
English Revised Version (ERV)
Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Definitions for Acts 20:26
Clarke's Acts 20:26 Bible Commentary
I am pure from the blood of all - If any man, Jew or Gentile, perish in his sins, his blood shall be upon him; he, alone, shall be accessary to his own perdition. I am blameless, because I have fully shown to both the way to escape from every evil.
Barnes's Acts 20:26 Bible Commentary
Wherefore - In view of the past, of my ministry and labors among you, I appeal to your own selves to testify that I have been faithful.
I take you to record - Greek: I call you to witness. If any of you are lost; if you prove unfaithful to God, I appeal to yourselves that the fault is not mine. It is well when a minister can make this appeal, and call his hearers to bear testimony to his own faithfulness. Ministers who preach the gospel with fidelity may thus appeal to their hearers; and in the day of judgment may call on themselves to witness that the fault of the ruin of the soul is not to be charged to them.
That I am pure - I am not to be charged with the guilt of your condemnation, as owing to my unfaithfulness. This does not mean that he set up a claim to absolute perfection; but that, in the matter under consideration, he had a conscience void of offence.
The blood of all men - The word "blood" is often used in the sense of "death, of bloodshed"; and hence, of the "guilt or crime of putting one to death," Matthew 23:35; Matthew 27:25; Acts 5:28; Acts 18:6. It here means that if they should die the second death; if they should be lost forever, he would not be to blame. He had discharged his duty in faithfully warning and teaching them; and now, if they were lost, the fault would be their own, not his.
All men - All classes of people - Jews and Gentiles. He had warned and instructed all alike. Ministers may have many fears that their hearers will be lost. Their aim, however, should be:
(1) To save them, if possible; and,
(2) If they are lost, that it should be by no neglect or fault of theirs.