Keraia
Acts 22

Acts 22:3

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

Translations

Modern
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Traditional
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Literal
“I am a man, a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia and brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, having been educated according to the exactness of the law of our fathers, being a zealous one of God, even as all of you are this day,
Latin
Et dicit: Ego sum vir Judæus, natus in Tarso Ciliciæ, nutritus autem in ista civitate, secus pedes Gamaliel eruditus juxta veritatem paternæ legis, æmulator legis, sicut et vos omnes estis hodie:

Original

Greek
English
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

Notes

Acts 22:3

at the feet of Gamaliel: See study note on 5:34.

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

People

Gamaliel: Pharisee; teacher of the law; Paul's mentor Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Cilicia: Province in Asia Minor; Paul's birthplace and ministry area Tarsus: City in Cilicia, birthplace of the apostle Paul

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Cilicia Education Gamaliel Judaism Paul the Apostle Sanhedrin Tarsus Zealot

Topics

Bigotry of Saul, in Persecuting the Christians Children: Instruction of Children: Mode of Giving Public Instruction To Children: Tutors and Governors For Feet: Sitting At Gamaliel: A Celebrated Teacher: Paul's Teacher Instruction of Children Paul: A Zealous Pharisee Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel Paul: His Defense Pharisees: Become Disciples of Jesus School of Gamaliel Tarsus: Paul's Birthplace The Jews: National Character of Attachment to Customs of the Law The Law of Moses: Public Instruction Given to Youth In The Pharisees: had Disciples Tutor: General Scriptures Concerning Zeal: Sometimes Wrongly Directed