New Living Translation
Acts 22:1
1“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.”
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 King James Version (NKJV)“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
Context of Acts 22:1
“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. 3Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you 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 7:2This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran.
- Acts 13:26“Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation has been sent to us!
- Acts 23:1Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”
- Acts 28:17Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.
- Acts 19:33The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward and told him to explain the situation. He motioned for silence and tried to speak.
- Acts 24:10The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you.
- Acts 25:8Paul denied the charges. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said.
- Acts 26:1Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.” So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense:
- Luke 12:11“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say,
- Luke 21:14So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,
- Romans 2:15They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
- 1 Corinthians 9:3This is my answer to those who question my authority.
- 2 Corinthians 7:11Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.
- 2 Corinthians 12:19Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.
- Philippians 1:7So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
- 2 Timothy 4:16The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted 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
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