Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all people.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,
- KJV Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
- BSB Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
- NKJV Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
- NLT I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul declares himself innocent of the blood of all, having faithfully warned everyone. He has discharged his duty before God.
Overview
Drawing on the watchman imagery of Ezekiel, Paul affirms he bears no guilt for any who perish, because he faithfully delivered God's message. His clear conscience rests on having proclaimed the truth without omission. The verse sets a sobering standard for all who teach: faithfulness to the whole word frees the messenger from bloodguilt.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Acts 18:6When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”
- John 12:17The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it.
- Ezek 3:18–21When I tell the wicked, ‘You will surely die;’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at your hand.
- Ezek 33:2–9Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and tell them, When I bring the sword on a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman;
- John 19:35He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.
- Rom 10:2For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
- 2 Cor 1:23But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn’t come to Corinth to spare you.
- 1 Th 2:10–12You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.
- 2 Cor 8:3For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
- Job 16:19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
- 2 Cor 7:2Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.
- 2 Sam 3:28Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
- 1 Tim 5:22Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 20:26 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.