22:3Gamaliel was the most honored rabbi of the first century. He was well known and respected as an expert on religious law and as a voice for moderation (5:34). Paul was showing his credentials as a well-educated man trained under the most respected Jewish rabbi.
Life Application Study BibleActsChapter 22
Acts 22
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1876, 1877, 1878
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
22Acts 22
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. And 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 Christians 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. 71 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“ 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.’ 11I 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.’ 17After Ireturned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 181 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 1 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!” 22They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.
Paul Reveals His Roman Citizenship
2424The 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, “Isit 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"T am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!” 28The 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.
Paul before the High Council
3030The 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.
Textual footnotes
- 22:2 Greek in Aramaic, or in Hebrew.
- 22:8 Or Jesus of Nazareth.
- 22:18 Greek him.
- 22:25 Greek the centurion; also in 22:26.
- 22:30 Greek Sanhedrin.
Life Application Notes 6 notes
22:3,4By saying that at one time he was as zealous for God as any of his listeners, Paul was acknowledging their sincere motives behind their desire to kill him, pointing out that he had done the same to Christian leaders a few years earlier. Paul always tried to establish common ground with his audience before launching into a full-scale defense of Christianity. When you witness for Christ, first identify yourself with your audience. They will be much more likety to listen if they feel a common bond with you.
22:6ffAfter gaining a hearing and establishing common ground with his audience, Paul gave his testimony. He shared how he had come to faith in Christ. Sound reasoning is good, but it is also important to simply share what Christ has done in our lives. No matter how we present the message, however, not everyone will accept it, as Paul knew. We must faithfully and responsibly present the Good News and leave the results to God.
22:21,22These people listened intently to Paul, but the word Gentiles brought out all their anger and exposed their pride. They were supposed to be a fight to the Gentites, telling them about the one true God. But they had renounced that mission by becoming separatist and exclusive. God’s plan, however, would not be thwarted; the Gentiles were hearing the Good News through Jewish Christians, such as Paul and Peter.
22:25-28Paul's question stopped the officer because by law a Roman citizen could not be punished until he had been proven guilty of a crime, Paul had been born a Roman citizen, whereas the commander had purchased his citizenship. Buying citizenship was a common practice and a good source of income for the Roman government. Bought citizenship was considered inferior to citizenship by birth.
22:30Paul used his times of persecution as an opportunity to witness. Even his enemies were creating a platform for him to address the entire Jewish high council. if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit's teading, we will see increased opportunities to share our faith, even in the face of opposition.