Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Original Language Analysis
προσέχετε
Take heed
G4337
προσέχετε
Take heed
Strong's:
G4337
Word #:
1 of 27
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 27
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἑαυτοῖς
unto yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
unto yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
3 of 27
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
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
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποιμνίῳ
the flock
G4168
ποιμνίῳ
the flock
Strong's:
G4168
Word #:
7 of 27
a flock, i.e., (figuratively) group (of believers)
ἣν
the which
G3739
ἣν
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
Ghost
G4151
πνεῦμα
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
12 of 27
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἅγιον
the Holy
G40
ἅγιον
the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
14 of 27
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ἔθετο
hath made
G5087
ἔθετο
hath made
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
15 of 27
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
ἐπισκόπους
overseers
G1985
ἐπισκόπους
overseers
Strong's:
G1985
Word #:
16 of 27
a superintendent, i.e., christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively)
ποιμαίνειν
to feed
G4165
ποιμαίνειν
to feed
Strong's:
G4165
Word #:
17 of 27
to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίαν
the church
G1577
ἐκκλησίαν
the church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
19 of 27
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
21 of 27
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἣν
the which
G3739
ἣν
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
22 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
περιεποιήσατο
he hath purchased
G4046
περιεποιήσατο
he hath purchased
Strong's:
G4046
Word #:
23 of 27
to make around oneself, i.e., acquire (buy)
διὰ
with
G1223
διὰ
with
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
24 of 27
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Timothy 4:16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.Isaiah 40:11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.1 Timothy 3:2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.Jeremiah 3:15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.1 Corinthians 10:32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:1 Timothy 5:17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.Micah 5:4And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.Hebrews 13:17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.1 Timothy 3:5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Historical Context
Paul's farewell address to Ephesian elders at Miletus (circa 57 AD), during his final journey to Jerusalem. He knew imprisonment awaited (v.23) and expected never to see them again (v.25). The 'savage wolves' warning (v.29) proved prophetic—false teachers later infiltrated Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3-7, 2 Timothy 1:15). This speech models pastoral succession and leader accountability.
Questions for Reflection
- How does remembering the church's blood-purchase affect pastoral priorities and methods?
- What does the Holy Spirit's appointment of overseers teach about church governance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood—Paul's charge to Ephesian elders combines pastoral authority, responsibility, and motivation. Take heed... unto yourselves prioritizes leaders' spiritual health before ministry. The Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (ἐπισκόπους) establishes divine appointment, not human ambition, as pastoral authority's source. To feed (ποιμαίνειν, 'shepherd') defines pastoral work as nourishing, guiding, protecting. Church of God, which he purchased with his own blood grounds pastoral urgency in the cross—shepherds serve blood-bought people. The phrase 'his own blood' remarkably attributes blood-shedding to God, affirming Christ's deity.