King James Version

What Does Acts 18:6 Mean?

Acts 18:6 in the King James Version says “And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own ...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Acts 18:6 · King James Version


Context

4

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

5

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. was Christ: or, is the Christ

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.

7

And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

8

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
'When they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment' - a symbolic act of disassociation (Nehemiah 5:13). 'Your blood be upon your own heads' placed responsibility on rejectors. 'I will go unto the Gentiles' didn't end Jewish ministry but shifted focus.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This pattern - synagogue preaching, Jewish rejection, Gentile focus - recurred throughout Paul's ministry. His declaration expressed prophetic judgment rather than personal abandonment.

Reflection Questions

  1. When is shaking off rejection appropriate rather than continued appeals?
  2. How do you balance persistent witness with respecting others' choices?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ἀντιτασσομένων1 of 27

“when they opposed”

G498

to range oneself against, i.e., oppose

δὲ2 of 27

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτούς3 of 27

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ4 of 27

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

βλασφημούντων5 of 27

“blasphemed”

G987

to vilify; specially, to speak impiously

ἐκτιναξάμενος6 of 27

“he shook”

G1621

to shake violently

τὰ7 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἱμάτια8 of 27

“his raiment”

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)

εἶπεν9 of 27

“and said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρὸς10 of 27

“unto”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτούς11 of 27

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Τὸ12 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἷμα13 of 27

“blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

ὑμῶν·14 of 27

“Your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἐπὶ15 of 27

“be upon”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὴν16 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κεφαλὴν17 of 27

“own heads”

G2776

the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively

ὑμῶν·18 of 27

“Your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καθαρὸς19 of 27

“am clean”

G2513

clean (literally or figuratively)

ἐγώ·20 of 27

“I”

G1473

i, me

ἀπὸ21 of 27

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ22 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νῦν23 of 27

“henceforth”

G3568

"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate

εἰς24 of 27

“unto”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὰ25 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔθνη26 of 27

“the Gentiles”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

πορεύσομαι27 of 27

“I will go”

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 18:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 18:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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