Keraia
Acts 22

Acts 22:2

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

Modern
When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then Paul declared,
Traditional
(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
Literal
And having heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he says,
Latin
Cum audissent autem quia hebræa lingua loqueretur ad illos, magis præstiterunt silentium.

Original

Greek
English
When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then Paul declared,

Notes

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)

Events

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 26:1–23

Glossary

Aramaic Book of the Acts of the Apostles Paul the Apostle

Topics

Hebrew used to Denote the Language (Aramaic) of the Jews Paul: His Defense