Acts 18:6
New International Version
But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

New Living Translation
But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”

English Standard Version
And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

Berean Literal Bible
But of them opposing and reviling him, having shaken out the garments, he said to them, "Your blood be upon your head; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

New American Standard Bible
But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

NASB 1995
But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

NASB 1977
And when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean. From now on I shall go to the Gentiles.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Amplified Bible
But since the Jews kept resisting and opposing him, and blaspheming [God], he shook out his robe and said to them, “Your blood (damnation) be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Christian Standard Bible
When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook his robe and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

American Standard Version
And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Contemporary English Version
Finally, they turned against him and insulted him. So he shook the dust from his clothes and told them, "Whatever happens to you will be your own fault! I am not to blame. From now on I am going to preach to the Gentiles."

English Revised Version
And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But they opposed him and insulted him. So Paul shook the dust from his clothes and told them, "You're responsible for your own death. I'm innocent. From now on I'm going to people who are not Jewish."

Good News Translation
When they opposed him and said evil things about him, he protested by shaking the dust from his clothes and saying to them, "If you are lost, you yourselves must take the blame for it! I am not responsible. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

International Standard Version
But when they began to oppose him and insult him, he shook out his clothes in protest and told them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the gentiles."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
When they opposed him and reviled him, he protested by shaking out his clothes and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am guiltless! From now on I will go to the Gentiles!"

New Heart English Bible
When 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 non-Jewish people."

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said to them, Your blood be upon your own heads: I am clean: from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles.

Weymouth New Testament
But upon their opposing him with abusive language, he shook his clothes by way of protest, and said to them, "Your ruin will be upon your own heads. I am not responsible: in future I will go among the Gentiles."

World English Bible
When 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!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and on their resisting and slandering, having shaken [his] garments, he said to them, “Your blood [is] on your head—I am clean; from now on I will go on to the nations.”

Berean Literal Bible
But of them opposing and reviling him, having shaken out the garments, he said to them, "Your blood be upon your head; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

Young's Literal Translation
and on their resisting and speaking evil, having shaken his garments, he said unto them, 'Your blood is upon your head -- I am clean; henceforth to the nations I will go on.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they opposing, and blaspheming, having shaken off the garments violently, he said to them, Your blood upon your head; I clean: from now will I go to the nations.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they gainsaying and blaspheming, he shook his garments, and said to them: Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But since they were contradicting him and blaspheming, he shook out his garments and said to them: “Your blood is on your own heads. I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.”

New American Bible
When they opposed him and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

New Revised Standard Version
When they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothes and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So he shook his garments and said to them, From henceforth I am not to be blamed for what I am about to do; I am going to the Gentiles.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he shook his clothes and he said to them, “From now on I am clean; I myself go to the Gentiles.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But when they set themselves in opposition, and reviled, he shook his clothing, and said to them: Your blood be upon your own head; I am clean. Henceforth I will go to the Gentiles.

Godbey New Testament
And they opposing, and blaspheming, shaking his garments, he said to them, Your blood be upon your own head; I am pure: from now I will go to the Gentiles.

Haweis New Testament
But as they continued opposing and blaspheming, he shook his garments, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am pure from it: from this moment will I go to the Gentiles.

Mace New Testament
but as they oppos'd him with invectives, he shook his garment, and said, "you your selves be answerable for your own destruction, I am clear: and for the future I shall address my self to the Gentiles."

Weymouth New Testament
But upon their opposing him with abusive language, he shook his clothes by way of protest, and said to them, "Your ruin will be upon your own heads. I am not responsible: in future I will go among the Gentiles."

Worrell New Testament
But, when they resisted, and blasphemed, he, shaking out his garments, said to them, "Your blood be upon your own head! I am pure! Henceforth I will go to the gentiles."

Worsley New Testament
But as they opposed and blasphemed, he shook his garment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clear of it: from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
5And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6But 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.” 7So Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 33:4-5
Then if anyone hears the sound of the horn but fails to heed the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. / Since he heard the sound of the horn but failed to heed the warning, his blood will be on his own head. If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved his life.

Matthew 10:14
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Nehemiah 5:13
I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. May such a man be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Matthew 27:24-25
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” / All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Ezekiel 3:18-19
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. / But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.

2 Samuel 1:16
For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

Jeremiah 51:6
Flee from Babylon! Escape with your lives! Do not be destroyed in her punishment. For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves.

2 Kings 24:4
and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive.

Luke 9:5
If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.”

2 Chronicles 24:20-22
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’” / But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD. / Thus King Joash failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him. Instead, Joash killed Jehoiada’s son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.”

John 9:41
“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Matthew 23:35-36
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. / Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.

1 Samuel 3:13
I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them.

Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Luke 11:50-51
As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.


Treasury of Scripture

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said to them, Your blood be on your own heads; I am clean; from now on I will go to the Gentiles.

they.

Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Acts 19:9
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

Acts 26:11
And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

he shook.

Acts 13:51
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

Nehemiah 5:13
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

Matthew 10:14
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Your.

Acts 20:26,27
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men

Leviticus 20:9,11,12
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him…

2 Samuel 1:16
And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.

from.

Acts 13:46,47
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles…

Acts 19:9,10
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus…

Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

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Abusive Blasphemed Blood Clean Clear Clothes Clothing Evil Future Garments Gentiles Gentiles Head Heads Henceforth Injuriously Innocent Language Nations Opposed Opposing Paul Protest Pure Raiment Resisted Resisting Responsible Reviled Ruin Shaking Shook Themselves Way Words
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Abusive Blasphemed Blood Clean Clear Clothes Clothing Evil Future Garments Gentiles Gentiles Head Heads Henceforth Injuriously Innocent Language Nations Opposed Opposing Paul Protest Pure Raiment Resisted Resisting Responsible Reviled Ruin Shaking Shook Themselves Way Words
Acts 18
1. Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.
9. The Lord encourages him in a vision.
12. He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.
18. Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.
24. Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.














But when they opposed and insulted him
This phrase captures the resistance Paul faced from the Jewish community in Corinth. The Greek word for "opposed" is "ἀντιτάσσω" (antitassō), which means to arrange in battle against or to resist. This indicates a strong, organized opposition, not just casual disagreement. Historically, this reflects the tension between early Christians and Jews who did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. The word "insulted" comes from the Greek "βλασφημέω" (blasphēmeō), meaning to speak evil or slander. This suggests that the opposition was not only physical but also verbal, attacking Paul's character and message.

he shook out his clothes
This action is symbolic and significant. In Jewish tradition, shaking out one's clothes was a gesture of rejection and disassociation. It was a way of saying that one is not responsible for the consequences of another's actions. This act by Paul signifies a formal and public declaration that he is no longer accountable for their rejection of the Gospel. It echoes Jesus' instruction to His disciples in Matthew 10:14, where they were told to shake the dust off their feet when leaving a town that did not welcome them.

and told them
Paul's declaration is not just an act of frustration but a prophetic statement. The Greek word "εἶπον" (eipon) is used here, which is a common word for "said" or "told," but in this context, it carries the weight of a solemn pronouncement. Paul is making a clear and decisive statement about the consequences of their actions.

‘Your blood be on your own heads!
This phrase is a powerful declaration of responsibility. The concept of "blood on one's head" is rooted in Old Testament imagery, where it signifies guilt and accountability for one's own actions (see Ezekiel 33:4). Paul is stating that he has fulfilled his duty to preach the Gospel, and now the responsibility for rejecting it lies with them. It underscores the seriousness of rejecting the message of salvation.

I am innocent of it
Paul asserts his innocence, using the Greek word "καθαρός" (katharos), meaning clean or pure. This is a declaration of his clear conscience before God. He has done his part in delivering the message, and now he is free from the guilt of their rejection. This reflects the biblical principle that each person is responsible for their own response to God's call.

From now on I will go to the Gentiles
This marks a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry. The phrase "from now on" indicates a decisive shift in focus. The Greek word "ἔθνος" (ethnos) is used for "Gentiles," meaning nations or peoples. This is a fulfillment of God's plan for the Gospel to reach all nations, as seen in Acts 1:8. Paul's turning to the Gentiles is not a rejection of the Jews but an expansion of the mission to include all people, reflecting the inclusive nature of the Gospel. This decision is both strategic and divinely ordained, as Paul becomes the apostle to the Gentiles, spreading the message of Christ beyond the Jewish community.

(6) And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed.--The latter word includes the reviling of which the Apostle himself was the object, as well as blaspheming against God. Assuming what has been suggested in the Note on Acts 18:2, we may think of these disturbances as reproducing what had already taken place at Rome. We may, perhaps, trace an echo of such blasphemies in the words "Anathema be Jesus," of which St. Paul speaks in 1Corinthians 12:3 as having been uttered as with the vehemence of a simulated inspiration, against which men needed to be warned.

He shook his raiment.--On the symbolic significance of the act, see Note on Matthew 10:14. As done by a Jew to Jews no words and no act could so well express the Apostle's indignant protest. It was the last resource of one who found appeals to reason and conscience powerless, and was met by brute violence and clamour.

Your blood be upon your own heads.--The phrase and thought were both essentially Hebrew. (See Note on Matthew 27:25.) We can hardly think of the Apostle as using them without a distinct recollection of the language which defined the responsibility of a prophet of the truth in Ezekiel 3:18-19. . . .

Verse 6. - Shook out for shook, A.V. For this action of shaking his raiment, comp. Acts 13:51. It was in accordance with our Lord's direction in Matthew 10:14, where the same word (ἐκτινάσσειν) is used. It is "much employed in medical language" (Hobart, ' Medical Language of St. Luke,' p. 240). The idea seems to be having nothing henceforth in common with them. Your blood, etc. (see Ezekiel 33:4-9). St. Paul's keen sense of the perverseness of the Jews breaks out in his First Epistle to the Thessalonians (it. 14-16), written about this time. See hole to ver. 5.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But [when]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

opposed
ἀντιτασσομένων (antitassomenōn)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 498: From anti and the middle voice of tasso; to range oneself against, i.e. Oppose.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

insulted [him],
βλασφημούντων (blasphēmountōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 987: From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.

he shook out
ἐκτιναξάμενος (ektinaxamenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1621: To shake off; mid: I shake off from myself. From ek and tinasso; to shake violently.

[his]
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

garments
ἱμάτια (himatia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.

[and] told
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

blood
αἷμα (haima)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

[be] on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[own]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heads!
κεφαλὴν (kephalēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.

I [am]
ἐγώ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

innocent [of it].
καθαρὸς (katharos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2513: Clean.

From
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

now on
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

I will go
πορεύσομαι (poreusomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Gentiles.?
ἔθνη (ethnē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.


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