Bible Strands
Acts 20:26
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a group of believers at the conclusion of his regional ministry, declaring his imminent departure and final accountability. He speaks to them at a moment of parting, knowing they will not see his face again.
The words — μαρτύρομαι (marturomai) = I testify and σήμερον (sēmeron) = this day frame the statement as a formal, present legal witness. The text explicitly states Paul’s disclaimer of responsibility for his audience’s fate.
The thread — The pattern of prophetic accountability appears in Acts 18:6, where Paul shifts responsibility for opposition onto his listeners, and Ezekiel 3:18 and Ezekiel 33:2, where failure to deliver a warning incurs guilt.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to acknowledge their duty to proclaim the message fully and to accept personal responsibility for their own response. It demands a clear boundary between faithful declaration and the audience’s rejection without emotional deflection.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Cross-references
- Acts 18:6 But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
- Ezekiel 3:18 If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.
- Ezekiel 33:2 “Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land choose a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman,
- John 12:17 Meanwhile, many people who had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.
- 2 Samuel 3:28 Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.
- Job 16:19 Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high.
- John 19:35 The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.
- Romans 10:2 For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 1:23 I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
- 2 Corinthians 7:2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.