Acts 20:29

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 20:29 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
Acts 20:29 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For I know this, etc.] By divine revelation: that after my departing; either out of this world, or after his leaving them now, and proceeding on, his journey: shall grievous wolves enter in among you; false teachers, comparable to wolves, for their craft and cunning, and for their greedy, covetous, and voracious dispositions; and who would be very grievous, troublesome, and even intolerable to them; these, he knew, would enter privily, at an unawares, into their churches, and set up themselves for preachers, without being called or sent: not sparing the flock; fleecing it instead of feeding it, making merchandise of it, and like the Pharisees, under religious pretences, devour widows’…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you--Two classes of coming enemies are here announced, the one more external to themselves, the other bred in the bosom of their own community; both were to be teachers, but the one, "grievous wolves," not sparing, that is, making a prey of the flock; the other (Act 20:30), simply sectarian "perverters" of the truth, with the view of drawing a party after them. Perhaps the one pointed to that subtle poison of Oriental Gnosticism which we know to have very early infected the Asiatic churches; the other to such Judaizing tendencies as we know to have troubled nearly all the early churches. See the Epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For I know this - By what he had seen in other places; by his knowledge of human nature, and of the dangers to which they were exposed; and by the guidance of inspiration. After my departure - His presence had been the means of guarding the church, and preserving it from these dangers. Now that the founder and guide of the church was to be removed, they would be exposed to dissensions and dangers. Grievous wolves - Heavy βαρεῖς bareis, strong, mighty, dangerous wolves - so strong that the feeble flock would not be able to resist them. The term “wolves” is used to denote “the enemies of the flock - false, and hypocritical, and dangerous teachers.” Compare Matthew 10:16. Enter in among you -…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Grievous wolves - From without, namely, false apostles. They had, not yet broke in on the Church at Ephesus. Acts 20:30”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:29-30 vicious wolves: Paul’s prophecy did in fact happen, prompting him to write to Timothy in Ephesus some five years later (see 1 Tim 1:3-7, 19-20; 4:1-5; see also Matt 7:15; 10:16; Mark 13:22; Luke 10:3; 2 Pet 2:1-22; 3:3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“wolves: Zep 3:3; Mat 7:15, Mat 10:16; Luk 10:3; Joh 10:12; Pe2 2:1 not: Jer 13:20, Jer 23:1; Eze 34:2, Eze 34:3; Zac 11:17 Acts 20:30”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification