Acts 20:29 Meaning and Explanation
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul warns that after his departure savage wolves will come in among them, not sparing the flock.
What Does Acts 20:29 Mean?
Vigilance is urgent because Paul knows what is coming. He takes up the Lord's own image — wolves against a flock (Matt 7:15; John 10:12) — to describe destroyers who will enter from outside once the apostle's protecting presence is withdrawn.
Wolves do not announce themselves; they arrive hungry and dressed in fleece, "in sheep's clothing" (Matt 7:15). The gravest danger to a church is not always persecution from without but influence that consumes the sheep instead of feeding them. Paul's realism is itself a mercy: warned in advance, the shepherds can meet the danger with watchfulness rather than panic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 20:29
What does Acts 20:29 mean?
Paul warns that after his departure savage wolves will come in among them, not sparing the flock.