Keraia
Acts 22

Acts 22:17

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

Modern
Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance
Traditional
And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
Literal
And it happened to me, having returned to Jerusalem and in my praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance
Latin
Factum est autem revertenti mihi in Jerusalem, et oranti in templo, fieri me in stupore mentis,

Original

Greek
English
Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance

Notes

Acts 22:17–22

While Paul was praying in the temple, he saw a vision of Jesus. Jesus told him that the people of Jerusalem would not accept his message. The Lord then sent him to the Gentiles. The crowd’s reaction to this report confirmed this reality (22:22–23).

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 Visions

Events

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 26:1–23

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Damascus Paul the Apostle Spirit of God

Topics

Paul: Called to be an Apostle Paul: His Defense Paul: His Vision and Conversion Paul: Sent to the Gentiles Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Paul's Vision In Temple: Solomon's for Prayer and Worship Trance of Paul Vision of Balaam in a Trance Vision of Paul in a Trance