What Does Acts 5:35 Mean in the King James?
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The first object of scrutiny is not these men, but the response being formed toward them.
THE MEANING
The verse places you in the pause before acting: your attention turns toward what you are about to do concerning others. The response taking shape in you belongs within the matter being discerned; it is not outside it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Because their conduct is under scrutiny, whatever we do in response to them is automatically justified.
THE ROOT
προσέχετε
prosechete
GROWS FROM
ἔχω
hold, have
“take heed” in this verse is prosechete. The verb carries the image of holding attention toward something. Here, attention turns first toward yourselves and the action you are about to take, making self-examination part of the judgment itself.
ALSO GROWS
echō: hold, have
ἔχω
This base verb supplies the image beneath “take heed”: attention is held toward its object.
katechō: hold fast, retain
κατέχω
This related verb keeps the same image of holding, suggesting attention that stays fixed on what is being considered.
apechō: hold back, abstain
ἀπέχω
This related verb turns holding into restraint, echoing the pause before acting that the verse asks its hearers to consider.
THE PATTERN
Discernment begins by turning attention toward the actor’s own next move before evaluating another person.
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.THE THREAD
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.This verse uses the same Greek verb, προσέχετε (prosechete), meaning “take heed” or “attend.” Attention turns first toward yourselves, then extends to the whole flock, linking care for others with awareness of your own responsibility.
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