Bible Strands
Acts 22:5
as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a Jerusalem crowd from the temple steps, recounting his past actions before his arrest. He identifies the high priest and the Jewish Council as his former superiors who authorized his persecution of the early church.
The words — The Greek verb μαρτυρεῖ (marturei) literally means "bears witness," indicating the official testimony of the religious authorities. The adjective πᾶν (pan) translates to "all," stressing that the entire governing body could confirm his past conduct.
The thread — Paul's claim of obtaining letters from the high priest directly parallels his earlier statement in Acts 9:1 regarding his pursuit of Damascus Christians. His reference to the Council's testimony aligns with the judicial assembly described in Luke 22:66.
Why it lands — The text states that Paul's persecution was legally sanctioned by Jewish leadership, establishing his historical credibility before his conversion account. It requires the reader to acknowledge the institutional nature of the early church's opposition without softening the reality of that persecution.
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
As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
Cross-references
- Acts 9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest
- Luke 22:66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said,
- Acts 5:21 At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.
- Acts 4:5 The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
- Acts 9:14 And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”
- 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 22:1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”
- 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.
- Acts 26:12 In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
- Acts 28:21 The leaders replied, “We have not received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers from there reported or even mentioned anything bad about you.