Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 18:6. It's a really significant moment in the early church’s history! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: They were arguing: The Jewish people who had followed Jesus were having a disagreement with Paul. They were disagreeing with his teachings and challenging him. They were blaspheming: This is the key part. They were saying things that were considered offensive or even disrespectful to God – essentially, they were questioning his authority. Paul shook his clothes: He dramatically threw off his robe, showing his nakedness. It was a visual signal of his humility and submission to God. He scolded them: Paul told them to repent (turn away from their wrongdoings) and that he would leave with the Gentiles – meaning people outside Judaism - because he felt he needed to be free from their negativity. What’s happening next? He said, "Your blood be upon your own heads": This is a very powerful statement. It means he was declaring that they were in serious trouble and that his actions were justified. He wasn't just talking about them being wrong; he was saying they deserved punishment for their disrespect. “I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles”: This is where it gets really important. "Clean" means morally pure. Paul was declaring that he would leave with the people of the known world, those outside Judaism – meaning non-Jews – and focus on helping them. He felt it was his duty to share the message of Jesus with others who weren’t already following Jewish traditions. Overall Meaning: This verse is a pivotal moment in the early church's history because Paul was acknowledging that they were challenging him and demonstrating disrespect, and he took action to distance himself from their negativity so he could focus on spreading the gospel (the good news of Jesus). It’s a testament to his humility and his willingness to prioritize the spread of God’s message over personal comfort. In short: Paul was showing that even when people disagree with him, he would stand firm in his faith and choose to reach out to others beyond Judaism. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail? Compare it to another story or Bible passage? Discuss the significance of Paul’s actions at this time?