Simon Brown.

Join me on this journey. Let's seek the truth together! 💡 Proverbs 8:34-36 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.” Psalm 84: 11 For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. 12 Yahweh of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you. 1 John 5:5 Now who is the one overcoming the world, except the one believing that Jesus is the Son of God.

Tuesday, 4 August 2026

Acts 20:28 – What Does the Original Greek Really Say?

 

Acts 20:28 Quick Facts infographic examining the original Greek, manuscript evidence, Bible translations, and textual variations in Acts 20:28.

This Quick Facts study explores Acts 20:28 by comparing the original Greek text, Codex Sinaiticus, modern Bible translations, and manuscript evidence. Learn why many translations include footnotes and why careful examination of the text is essential before drawing conclusions.


Acts 20:28 — Quick Facts

Do All Greek Manuscripts Really Say "God Purchased the Church with His Own Blood"?

One of the verses frequently cited in support of the doctrine that Jesus is God is Acts 20:28. But does the manuscript evidence really support that conclusion?

Quick Facts

  • The manuscripts of Acts 20:28 contain textual variations, including readings such as "church of God" and "church of the Lord."

  • Several modern Bible translations include footnotes informing readers that different ancient manuscripts preserve different readings.

  • Some translations also render the verse:

    "the church of God, which he obtained with the blood of his own Son,"
    or include this understanding in the footnotes.

  • The Greek expression τοῦ ἰδίου (tou idiou) literally means "of his own" and can be understood as referring to his own Son, depending on the context.

  • Because of these manuscript differences, many Bible scholars acknowledge that Acts 20:28 is a textually disputed passage.

  • The Codex Sinaiticus contains the reading "God" (Θεοῦ), while other manuscripts contain "Lord." This is one reason why modern translations often include explanatory footnotes.

Why the Footnotes Matter

Before building a doctrine on Acts 20:28, always read the translator's footnotes.

Acts 20:28 Quick Facts infographic examining the original Greek, manuscript evidence, Bible translations, and textual variations in Acts 20:28.

Acts 20:28 Quick Facts infographic examining the original Greek, manuscript evidence, Bible translations, and textual variations in Acts 20:28.

Many readers never notice that Bible translators themselves acknowledge alternative manuscript readings and possible translations.

What Does This Mean?

Acts 20:28 is one of several passages where the manuscript evidence is not entirely uniform. For that reason, the verse should be studied carefully alongside its textual notes, the original Greek, and the wider teaching of Scripture before using it as proof of any doctrine.

"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica... examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."Acts 17:11

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