New King James Version
Acts 22:1
1“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
Acts 22:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
- New International Version (NIV)“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)"Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you."
- New Living Translation (NLT)“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.”
Context of Acts 22:1
“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: 3“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
Read all of Acts 22Acts 22:1 word by word
Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοὶ καὶ πατέρες, ἀκούσατέ μου τῆς πρὸς ὑμᾶς νυνὶ ἀπολογίας.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Acts 22:1
- Acts 7:2And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
- Acts 13:26“Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.
- Acts 23:1Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
- Acts 28:17And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
- Acts 19:33And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
- Acts 24:10Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,
- Acts 25:8while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”
- Acts 26:1Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
- Luke 12:11“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.
- Luke 21:14Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
- Romans 2:15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
- 1 Corinthians 9:3My defense to those who examine me is this:
- 2 Corinthians 7:11For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
- 2 Corinthians 12:19Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
- Philippians 1:7just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
- 2 Timothy 4:16At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
Commentaries on Acts 22:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Men, brethren, and fathers - A Hebrew form of expression for brethren and fathers: for two classes only are addressed. See the note on Acts 7:2. Hear ye my defense - , This apology of mine; in this sense the word apology was anciently understood: hence the Apologies of the primitive fathers, i.e. their defenses of the Christian religion. And this is as proper literal meaning; but it is now used only as implying an excuse for improper conduct. That this is…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Men, brethren, and fathers - This defense was addressed to the Jews, and Paul commenced it with an expression of sincere respect for them. Stephen began his defense with the same form of address. See the notes on Acts 7:2. My defence - Against the charges brought against me. Those charges were, that he had endeavored to prejudice people everywhere against the Jews, the Law, and the temple, Acts 21:28. In order to meet this charge, Paul stated: (1)That he…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Paul's account of his conversion. (1-11) Paul directed to preach to the Gentiles. (12-21) The rage of the Jews Paul pleads that he is a Roman citizen. (22-30) Verses 1-11 The apostle addressed the enraged multitude, in the customary style of respect and good-will. Paul relates the history of his early life very particularly; he notices that his conversion was wholly the act of God. Condemned sinners are struck blind by the power of darkness, and it is a…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-21Paul 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…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-302. when they heard ... the Hebrew tongue--(See on Ac 21:40). they kept the more silence--They could have understood him in Greek, and doubtless fully expected the renegade to address them in that language, but the sound of their holy mother tongue awed them into deeper silence.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 22:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 22
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries