Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

In the third section of his address, Paul began by speaking of his own future expectations after visiting Jerusalem. He told the Ephesian elders that neither they nor any of those he had ministered to in the eastern part of the empire would ever see him again, for he was intending to leave his ministry there and, after visiting Jerusalem, move on to the western part of the empire with Rome as his base (Romans 15:23–29). He said he felt free from any further responsibility in the East because he had done all that he could in proclaiming “the whole will of God.” At it turned out, however, it seems that Paul was able to return later to Ephesus (see 2 Timothy 4:9–13). Luke thus probably wrote this book before Paul’s release and further ministry.