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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 20:29 I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/20-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/44_Act_20_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 20:29 - Paul's Farewell to the Ephesians" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/20-29.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/20-29.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 29</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm" title="Acts 20:28">◄</a> Acts 20:29 <a href="/acts/20-30.htm" title="Acts 20:30">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/20.htm">New International Version</a> I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. <a href="/nlt/acts/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. <a href="/esv/acts/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/bsb/acts/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. <a href="/blb/acts/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I know that after my departure, grievous wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, <a href="/kjv/acts/20.htm">King James Bible</a> For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/nkjv/acts/20.htm">New King James Version</a> For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/nasb_/acts/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/nasb/acts/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/nasb77/acts/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/lsb/acts/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/amp/acts/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/csb/acts/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/hcsb/acts/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/asv/acts/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/cev/acts/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you. <a href="/erv/acts/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/gwt/acts/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I know that fierce wolves will come to you after I leave, and they won't spare the flock. <a href="/gnt/acts/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. <a href="/isv/acts/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> I know that when I'm gone, savage wolves will come among you and not spare the flock. <a href="/msb/acts/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. <a href="/net/acts/20.htm">NET Bible</a> I know that after I am gone fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/nheb/acts/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/wbt/acts/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/wey/acts/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I know that, when I am gone, cruel wolves will come among you and will not spare the flock; <a href="/web/acts/20.htm">World English Bible</a> For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for I have known this, that there will enter in, after my departing, grievous wolves to you, not sparing the flock, <a href="/blb/acts/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I know that after my departure, grievous wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, <a href="/ylt/acts/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for I have known this, that there shall enter in, after my departing, grievous wolves unto you, not sparing the flock, <a href="/slt/acts/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For I know this, that there shall come in after my departure grievous wolves to you, not sparing the flock.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/cpdv/acts/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/nabre/acts/20.htm">New American Bible</a> I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For I know this, that after I have departed, fierce wolves will attack you, which will not spare the flock. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “For I know that after I go, powerful wolves will enter with you that will not spare the flock.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For I know this, that, after my departure, rapacious wolves will enter in among you, who will not spare the flock; <a href="/godbey/acts/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> I know, that after my departure grievous wolves will rise up against you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/haweis/acts/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For this I know, that after my departure there will come among you grievous wolves, not sparing the flock: <a href="/mace/acts/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for I know when I am gone, you will be oppress'd by wolves, that will not spare the flock. <a href="/wey/acts/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I know that, when I am gone, cruel wolves will come among you and will not spare the flock; <a href="/worrell/acts/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> I know that, after my departure, grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock; <a href="/worsley/acts/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. <a href="/parallel/acts/20-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=6850" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/20.htm">Paul's Farewell to the Ephesians</a> …28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. 29<a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oida (V-RIA-1S) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">know</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: meta (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">after</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/867.htm" title="867: aphixin (N-AFS) -- Arrival, departure. From aphikneomai; properly, arrival, i.e. departure.">departure,</a> <a href="/greek/926.htm" title="926: bareis (Adj-NMP) -- Heavy, weighty, burdensome, lit. and met; violent, oppressive. From the same as baros; weighty, i.e. burdensome, grave.">savage</a> <a href="/greek/3074.htm" title="3074: lykoi (N-NMP) -- A wolf, of perhaps a jackal; often applied to persons of wolfish proclivities. Perhaps akin to the base of leukos; a wolf.">wolves</a> <a href="/greek/1525.htm" title="1525: eiseleusontai (V-FIM-3P) -- To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.">will come in</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">among</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/5339.htm" title="5339: pheidomenoi (V-PPM/P-NMP) -- To spare, abstain, forbear. Of uncertain affinity; to be chary of, i.e. to abstain or to treat leniently.">and will not spare</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4168.htm" title="4168: poimniou (N-GNS) -- A little flock. Neuter of a presumed derivative of poimne; a flock, i.e. group.">flock.</a> 30Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a> Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a> Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. <a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12</a> The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a> For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. <a href="/jude/1-4.htm">Jude 1:4</a> For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. <a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Ezekiel 22:27</a> Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. <a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a> “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. <a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Zechariah 11:16-17</a> For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves. / Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!” <a href="/matthew/24-11.htm">Matthew 24:11</a> and many false prophets will arise and deceive many. <a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a> But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ... <a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5</a> This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: <a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-11</a> Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: <a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14</a> “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds. <a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-2</a> Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.wolves.<a href="/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3</a> Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.<a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a> Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.<a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a> Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.not.<a href="/jeremiah/13-20.htm">Jeremiah 13:20</a> Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?<a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1</a> Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.<a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2,3</a> Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/20-25.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/acts/12-1.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/acts/18-7.htm">Departing</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">Departure</a> <a href="/acts/19-30.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/acts/20-19.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/luke/23-5.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/acts/20-1.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-6.htm">Savage</a> <a href="/luke/21-4.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-17.htm">Sparing</a> <a href="/acts/18-14.htm">Vicious</a> <a href="/luke/10-3.htm">Wolves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/23-5.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Departing</a> <a href="/philippians/1-23.htm">Departure</a> <a href="/acts/24-22.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/acts/23-5.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-3.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/acts/25-7.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/acts/21-6.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-3.htm">Savage</a> <a href="/acts/27-19.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-28.htm">Sparing</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-9.htm">Vicious</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-22.htm">Wolves</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 20</div>1. <a href="/acts/20-1.htm">Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas.</a> 7. <a href="/acts/20-7.htm">He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches.</a> 9. <a href="/acts/20-9.htm">Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life.</a> 13. <a href="/acts/20-13.htm">Paul continues his travels;</a> 17. <a href="/acts/20-17.htm">and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself,</a> 28. <a href="/acts/20-28.htm">commits God's flock to them,</a> 29. <a href="/acts/20-29.htm">warns them of false teachers,</a> 32. <a href="/acts/20-32.htm">commends them to God,</a> 36. <a href="/acts/20-36.htm">prays with them, and departs.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/acts/20.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>I know The phrase "I know" indicates a certainty and assurance in Paul's understanding. The Greek word used here is "oida," which implies a deep, intuitive knowledge. Paul, through his experiences and divine revelation, possesses a clear understanding of the challenges that will face the early church. This certainty underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the Christian life, as Paul is not merely speculating but is confident in what he foresees.after my departure This phrase refers to the time following Paul's leaving the Ephesian church. Historically, Paul had spent significant time with the Ephesians, teaching and guiding them. His departure signifies a transition and a potential vulnerability for the church. The Greek word "aphixis" for "departure" can also imply a journey or a leaving behind, suggesting that Paul's physical absence will create a void that others might seek to exploit.savage wolves The imagery of "savage wolves" is powerful and evocative. In the Greek, "barus" means heavy or burdensome, and "lukos" means wolf. Wolves are often used in Scripture to symbolize false prophets or destructive forces (<a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a>). This metaphor highlights the danger and ferocity of those who would seek to harm the church. Historically, wolves were a real threat to shepherds and their flocks, making this a vivid warning to the early Christians about the spiritual and doctrinal threats they would face.will come in among you This phrase suggests infiltration and deception. The Greek "eiserchomai" means to enter or come in, indicating that these threats will not be external but will arise from within the community. This internal threat is more insidious because it can be harder to detect and combat. The early church faced numerous heresies and false teachings, and Paul's warning is a call to be discerning and protective of the truth.and will not spare the flock The phrase "will not spare the flock" emphasizes the ruthlessness and lack of compassion of these "savage wolves." The Greek "pheidomai" means to spare or show mercy, indicating that these threats will be relentless and merciless. The "flock" is a common biblical metaphor for the church, with Christ as the Good Shepherd (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>). This imagery underscores the vulnerability of the church and the need for strong, faithful leadership to protect and guide the believers.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(29) After my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you.--The figurative language followed naturally on the idea of the flock and of the shepherds who keep watch over it. It lies in the nature of the case that the wolf stands primarily for the open enemies of the flock, the persecutors of all ages. (Comp. <a href="/john/10-12.htm" title="But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep.">John 10:12</a>.) The wolves, however, might come in sheep's clothing (<a href="/matthew/7-15.htm" title="Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.">Matthew 7:15</a>), and so the false prophets, the usurpers of authority, and leaders of parties within the Church, are also included in the term. Here this latter class is distinctly pointed out in the following verse. We find traces of the fulfilment of the prediction in the "turning away" of <a href="/2_timothy/1-15.htm" title="This you know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.">2Timothy 1:15</a>; the "fiery trial" of <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm" title="That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:">1Peter 1:7</a>; <a href="/1_peter/4-12.htm" title="Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:">1Peter 4:12</a>; the suffering "as a Christian" of <a href="/1_peter/4-16.htm" title="Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.">1Peter 4:16</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 29. - I know for, for I know this, A.V. and T.R.; grievous wolves shall for shall grievous wolves, A.V. After my departure (ἄφιξιν, not ἀνάλυσιν, as <a href="/2_timothy/4-6.htm">2 Timothy 4:6</a>). The word, which is only found here in the New Testament, usually means "arrival" in classical Greek, but it also means, as here, "departure." It is not to be taken in the sense of "departure from this life," but refers to that separation, which he thought was forever, which was about to take place. Grievous wolves; still keeping up the metaphor of the flock. The wolves denote the false teachers, principally Judaizers. See <a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-12</a>, and 13, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." These came from Judaea. <a href="/commentaries/acts/20-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. know οἶδα (oida) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. after μετὰ (meta) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. departure, ἄφιξίν (aphixin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_867.htm">Strong's 867: </a> Arrival, departure. From aphikneomai; properly, arrival, i.e. departure. savage βαρεῖς (bareis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_926.htm">Strong's 926: </a> Heavy, weighty, burdensome, lit. and met; violent, oppressive. From the same as baros; weighty, i.e. burdensome, grave. wolves λύκοι (lykoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3074.htm">Strong's 3074: </a> A wolf, of perhaps a jackal; often applied to persons of wolfish proclivities. Perhaps akin to the base of leukos; a wolf. will come in εἰσελεύσονται (eiseleusontai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1525.htm">Strong's 1525: </a> To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter. among εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. you ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. and will not spare φειδόμενοι (pheidomenoi) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5339.htm">Strong's 5339: </a> To spare, abstain, forbear. Of uncertain affinity; to be chary of, i.e. to abstain or to treat leniently. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. flock. ποιμνίου (poimniou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4168.htm">Strong's 4168: </a> A little flock. Neuter of a presumed derivative of poimne; a flock, i.e. group. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/20-29.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 20:29 For I know that after my departure (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 20:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 20:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/20-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 20:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 20:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>