Acts 22:20

Translations

Modern

And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

Traditional

And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

Literal

And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was poured out, I myself was also standing by and consenting and watching over the garments of those killing him.’

Latin

…et cum funderetur sanguis Stephani testis tui, ego astabam, et consentiebam, et custodiebam vestimenta interficientium illum.

Original

Greek

English

And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

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) Stephen Persecution Visions

Events

Paul gives his testimonyc. AD 54

Related verses

Acts 7:58
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 8:1
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Revelation 2:13
I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits, yet you hold fast to My name. You did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of My faithful witness Antipas, who was killed among you where Satan dwells.
Romans 1:32
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
Luke 11:48
So you are witnesses consenting to the deeds of your fathers: They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.
Revelation 17:6
I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
Acts 26:10
And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them.

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 26:1–23

People

Stephen: One of seven deacons, full of faith, performed miracles, martyred

Glossary

Blood Book of the Acts of the Apostles Damascus Paul the Apostle

Topics

Paul: Called to be an Apostle Paul: His Defense Paul: Sent to the Gentiles Stephen: Stoned Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Paul's Vision In Vision of Balaam in a Trance Vision of Paul in a Trance

Acts 22:20

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