Acts 18:6

But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, " Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles. "

1. The Jews in the synagogues allowed him to toss out thoughts and reason with them. But when he began to openly declare that Jesus is the Messiah they were looking for - they opposed him.

2. Blasphemed - We often think of this word as "speaking against God", but the word means to speak against (anyone or anything). Here they blasphemed Paul. They were speaking against him, ridicule, scorn, innuendo, and gossip were the tools of the trade.

3. Shook his garments - This action is similar to "shake the dust off your feet" in Matthew 10:14. Paul's action adds emphasis to his words. He is through with trying to convert Jews that seem to always turn on him and run him out of town.

4. Paul makes three statements to them.

1. Your blood be upon your heads. Ezekiel was told to be a watchman on the wall. If he failed to warn of danger, he would be held accountable. But, if he warned of the danger and the people choose to ignore and not heed the warning, he would not be accountable. He did his job. (Ezekiel 3:16-19) Paul is saying the same thing here. You have been told. Now what you do with that warning is upon you.

2. I am clean. Paul declares that he as done what God requires of him. The preacher can not make people accept the gospel, believe and obey the commands. He must teach, explain, and warn. At that point the burden and responsibility shifts to the hearer.

3. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles. In almost all places Paul has been to this point in his mission work, he would teach the Jews first, then turn to Gentiles as there was time and interest. From now on, Gentiles will be the primary focus of his work. He will still teach Jews on occasion. But his primary direction will be toward the non-Jews.