Acts 18:6
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀντιτασσομένων
when they opposed
G498
ἀντιτασσομένων
when they opposed
Strong's:
G498
Word #:
1 of 27
to range oneself against, i.e., oppose
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 27
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
10 of 27
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,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 27
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
Τὸ
G3588
Τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἷμα
blood
G129
αἷμα
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
13 of 27
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
ἐπὶ
be upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
be upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλὴν
own heads
G2776
κεφαλὴν
own heads
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
17 of 27
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
21 of 27
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νῦν
henceforth
G3568
νῦν
henceforth
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
23 of 27
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
24 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ezekiel 33:4Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.2 Samuel 1:16And 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.Ezekiel 18:13Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.Nehemiah 5:13Also 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.Acts 13:51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.Matthew 27:25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.Luke 9:5And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.1 Peter 4:4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:1 Peter 4:14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.2 Timothy 2:25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Historical Context
This pattern - synagogue preaching, Jewish rejection, Gentile focus - recurred throughout Paul's ministry. His declaration expressed prophetic judgment rather than personal abandonment.
Questions for Reflection
- When is shaking off rejection appropriate rather than continued appeals?
- How do you balance persistent witness with respecting others' choices?
Analysis & Commentary
'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.