Keraia
Acts 22

Acts 22:14

Paul’s Defense to the Crowd · Acts 22:1–21
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Translations

Modern
Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear His voice.
Traditional
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Literal
And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice out of His mouth.
Latin
At ille dixit: Deus patrum nostrorum præordinavit te, ut cognosceres voluntatem ejus, et videres justum, et audires vocem ex ore ejus:

Original

Greek
English
Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear His voice.

Notes

Acts 22:14

the Righteous One: See also 3:14; 7:52; 1 John 2:1. Righteousness was a key characteristic of the Messiah (see Isaiah 32:1; 53:11).

Acts 22:1–21

Paul gives his most complete defense of his life and faith before his own people in Jerusalem. This speech shows his flexibility as a missionary, just as his message to the Greek philosophers in Athens also did (17:22–31; see 1 Corinthians 9:20–23).

He begins by showing his close connection with his audience. He explains his Jewish background and his training under Gamaliel the Elder (a respected Jewish teacher). He also describes his strong desire to honor God, a desire they shared (Acts 22:1–3).

Paul then recounts how he once persecuted Christians (22:4–5). He tells about seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus (22:6–10). and explains his conversion (his turning to follow Jesus; 22:11–16).

He ends by describing a vision in the temple, where the Lord spoke to him. The Lord told him that many Jews would reject the message and that he should go to the Gentiles (22:17–21).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Persecution

Events

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 26:1–23

Glossary

Ananias Apostle, Apostleship Book of the Acts of the Apostles Branch Damascus Judaizers Paul the Apostle

Topics

Ananias: A Christian in Damascus Character of Christ: Just Christian Minister: Call of Damascus: Paul's Experiences In Election of Saints, Is: Personal Jesus, the Christ: Appears to Paul (On the Road to Damascus) Jesus, the Christ: Justice of Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Just Man, Just Person, Just One Paul: Called to be an Apostle Paul: His Defense Paul: His Vision and Conversion Predestination: General Scriptures Concerning