Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 20:26

"Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men." — Acts 20:26 (ASV)

Therefore. dio. In view of the past, of my ministry and labors among you, I appeal to yourselves to testify that I have been faithful.

I take you to record. In Greek: I call you to witness; I appeal to you to testify. If any of you are lost, if you prove unfaithful to God, I appeal to yourselves that the fault is not mine.

It is good when a minister can make this appeal and call his hearers to testify to his own faithfulness. Ministers who preach the gospel with fidelity, may thus appeal to their hearers; and in the day of judgment may call on them to witness that the fault of the ruin of the soul is not to be charged to them.

That I am pure. I am not to be charged with the guilt of your condemnation because of my unfaithfulness. This does not mean that he set up a claim to absolute perfection, but that, in the matter under consideration, he had a conscience without offense.

The blood of all men. The word blood is often used in the sense of death—of shed blood—and therefore of the guilt or crime of putting one to death, or condemnation for it (Matthew 23:35; Matthew 27:25; Acts 5:28; Acts 18:6).

It here means that if they should die the second death, if they should be lost forever, he would not be to blame. He had discharged his duty in faithfully warning and teaching them; and now, if they were lost, the fault would be their own, not his.

All men. This refers to all classes of men—Jews and Gentiles. He had warned and instructed all alike. Ministers may have many fears that their hearers will be lost. Their aim, however, should be:

1. To save them, if possible; and
2. If they are lost, that it should be by no neglect or fault of theirs.

Note: "record" (alternatively, "declare to you"); "pure from the blood" (compare 2 Corinthians 7:2).