ACC ~ Acts 20 v26

HE WHO DOES NOT SPEAK HAS BLOOD TO ANSWER FOR. CHRYSOSTOM: [Paul] is about to say something more burdensome, that is, “I am innocent of the blood of all of you.” With this he prepares them and shows that nothing is lacking. Since he was about to place upon them the entire burden with all its weight, he first appeases their feelings by saying, “And now, behold, I know that you will see my face no more.” He then adds, “I am innocent of the blood of all of you.” The pain is twofold: one, to see his face no more; two, that this applies to all of them. For he says, “All you among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom will see my face no more.” Therefore it is natural that “I testify to you,” since I will no longer be here, “that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Do you see how he frightens them and crushes their souls, troubled and afflicted as they are? But this was necessary. “For I did not shrink,” he says, “from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” So it is he who does not speak who is responsible for the blood, that is, for the murder. Nothing could be more terrifying than this. He shows that they too, if they do not act, are responsible for the blood. So although he seems to be justifying his own actions, he is, in fact, putting fear into them. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 44.

INNOCENT BECAUSE HE SPOKE HONESTLY. GREGORY THE GREAT (quoted by BEDE): “Paul believed that he was innocent of the blood of his neighbor, inasmuch as he did not spare their vices, which demanded to be castigated.” COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 20.26.

PAUL’S INNOCENCE. AMMONIUS: “I am clean of the blood of all.” … The false teacher is guilty of the souls that receive his teaching, as if he had poured out their blood, which is our life. By saying “I am clean,” he means, “I give witness that my teaching has deprived none of life everlasting but that it sets forth a heavenly kingdom. Anyone, therefore, not persuaded by me should consider himself as his own murderer, for I am innocent of the blood of all who hear me and do not believe.” CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 20.26.

Acts