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.
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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