Acts22
New Living Translation
1“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.”
2When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.
3Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.
4And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison.
5The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
6“As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.
7I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8“‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’
9The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.
10“I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’
11“I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions.
12A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus.
13He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!
14“Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak.
15For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.
16What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’
17“After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance.
18I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’
19“‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.
20And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’
21“But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”
22The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!”
23They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.
24The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious.
25When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?”
26When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!”
27So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied.
28“I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!”
29The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped.
30The next day the commander ordered the leading priests into session with the Jewish high council. He wanted to find out what the trouble was all about, so he released Paul to have him stand before them.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 22.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Paul's account of his conversion. (1–11). Paul directed to preach to the Gentiles. (12–21). The rage of the Jews Paul pleads that he is a Roman citizen. (22–30).
vv1-11
The apostle addressed the enraged multitude, in the customary style of respect and good-will. Paul relates the history of his early life very particularly; he notices that his conversion was wholly the act of God. Condemned sinners are struck blind by the power of darkness, and it is a lasting blindness, like that of the unbelieving Jews. Convinced sinners are struck blind as Paul was, not by darkness, but by light. They are for a time brought to be at a loss within themselves, but it is in order to their being enlightened. A simple relation of the Lord's dealings with us, in bringing us, from opposing, to profess and promote his gospel, when delivered in a right spirit and manner, will sometimes make more impression that laboured speeches, even though it amounts not to the full proof of the truth, such as was shown in the change wrought in the apostle.
vv12-21
The apostle goes on to relate how he was confirmed in the change he had made. The Lord having chosen the sinner, that he should know his will, he is humbled, enlightened, and brought to the knowledge of Christ and his blessed gospel. Christ is here called that Just One; for he is Jesus Christ the righteous. Those whom God has chosen to know his will, must look to Jesus, for by him God has made known his good-will to us. The great gospel privilege, sealed to us by baptism, is the pardon of sins. Be baptized, and wash away thy sins; that is, receive the comfort of the pardon of thy sins in and through Jesus Christ, and lay hold on his righteousness for that purpose; and receive power against sin, for the mortifying of thy corruptions. Be baptized, and rest not in the sign, but make sure of the thing signified, the putting away of the filth of sin. The great gospel duty, to which by our baptism we are bound, is, to seek for the pardon of our sins in Christ's name, and in dependence on him and his righteousness. God appoints his labourers their day and their place, and it is fit they should follow his appointment, though it may cross their own will. Providence contrives better for us than we do for ourselves; we must refer ourselves to God's guidance. If Christ send any one, his Spirit shall go along with him, and give him to see the fruit of his labours. But nothing can reconcile man's heart to the gospel, except the special grace of God.
vv22-30
The Jews listened to Paul's account of his conversion, but the mention of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so contrary to all their national prejudices, that they would hear no more. Their frantic conduct astonished the Roman officer, who supposed that Paul must have committed some great crime. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was exempted from all trials and punishments which might force him to confess himself guilty. The manner of his speaking plainly shows what holy security and serenity of mind he enjoyed. As Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances, the Roman officer questioned how he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the apostle told him he was free born. Let us value that freedom to which all the children of God are born; which no sum of money, however large, can purchase for those who remain unregenerate. This at once put a stop to his trouble. Thus many are kept from evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be held back from them by the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is it lawful? He knew that the God whom he served would support him under all sufferings for his name's sake. But if it were not lawful, the apostle's religion directed him, if possible, to avoid it. He never shrunk from a cross which his Divine Master laid upon his onward road; and he never stept aside out of that road to take one up.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πατήρ (patḗr): a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἀκούω (akoúō): to hear (in various senses)
ἀπολογία (apología): a plea ("apology")
μοῦ (moû): of me
νῦν (nŷn): "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
πρός (prós): a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
ὑμᾶς (hymâs): you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
Acts 22Direct reference to Paul speaking in the Hebrew tongue, which instantly commanded the audience's deep silence.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Gamaliel, Paul's renowned Pharisaic teacher, is previously introduced as a moderate member of the Sanhedrim.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Illuminates the cultural posture of disciples sitting physically 'at the feet' of their instructor to learn.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The heavenly voice directly matching the primary account of Paul's conversion in Acts chapter 9.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Paul's third conversion account, highlighting Jesus speaking in the Hebrew tongue.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects Christ's designation as 'the Just One' with Stephen's speech prior to his martyrdom.
Supported by JFB
Links the sacrament of baptism with the promise of the washing away and remission of sins.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies the historical timeframe of Paul's return to Jerusalem where he experienced this temple trance.
Supported by JFB
The historical event of Stephen's stoning where Paul guarded the clothes of his executioners.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
The formal turning point where Paul declares his direct commission to go to the Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Paul's similar assertion of his legal rights as an uncondemned Roman citizen in Philippi.
Supported by JFB
Demonstrates the fear of Roman magistrates upon learning they had illegally bound a citizen.
Supported by JFB
Describes Israel's sincere but misguided zeal for God, matching Paul's pre-conversion state.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's autobiographical reflection on his violent persecution of the church during his former life.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Paul's citizenship of Tarsus, which did not automatically confer the Roman citizenship he possessed.
Supported by JFB