Bible Strands
Acts 26:9
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul speaks before a royal tribunal while defending his conduct, positioned between a rhetorical question about resurrection and a description of his past imprisonment of believers.
The words — The Greek ἔδοξα (edoxa) literally means "I thought" or "I was of opinion," paired with οὖν (oun) for "therefore," marking a past internal conviction. The phrase τὸ ὄνομα (to onoma) denotes "the name," specifically identifying Jesus of Nazareth.
The thread — Paul echoes this former mindset in Galatians 1:13, where the text states he severely persecuted the church, and aligns with 1 Timothy 1:13, which records that his past actions occurred through ignorance and unbelief.
Why it lands — The verse records a past conviction that demanded active opposition to Jesus, requiring the reader to recognize how firmly held religious certainty can drive persecution before transformation.
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
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 1:13 I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
- Acts 22:8 ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.
- Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
- Philippians 3:6 as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.
- John 15:21 But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me.
- John 16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
- Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
- Acts 9:16 I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
- Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
- Acts 24:5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,