Bible Strands
Acts 22:1
“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a gathered crowd in Jerusalem, explicitly identifying them as "brothers and fathers" before beginning his formal defense. This utterance follows his switch to Hebrew, which immediately causes the audience to fall silent.
The words — The command ἀκούσατε (akousate) literally means "do hear," stressing an urgent demand for attention. It is coupled with ἄνδρες (Andres) and ἀδελφοὶ (adelphoi) to frame the address as both a formal appeal to men and a familial request to kinsmen.
The thread — This structural opening appears in Acts 7:2 when Stephen addresses the council, and reappears in Acts 23:1 when Paul faces the Sanhedrin. The pattern of addressing listeners as children of Abraham or spiritual kin extends to Acts 13:26.
Why it lands — The text requires the listener to suspend judgment and grant immediate attention to a personal defense. It asks the reader to observe how deliberate address and linguistic choice function as strategic preparation for a legal and theological appeal.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
Cross-references
- Acts 7:2 And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
- Acts 13:26 Brothers, children of Abraham, and you Gentiles who fear God, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
- Acts 23:1 Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
- Acts 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
- Acts 28:17 After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
- 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
- Luke 12:11 When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say.
- Luke 21:14 So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves.
- Acts 19:33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.
- Acts 24:10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.