Acts 22:17
What does Acts 22:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:17 means
Paul recounts that after returning to Jerusalem, while praying in the temple, he fell into a trance. This detail matters to his audience: he is not anti-temple. He sought God in the holy place and there received further revelation. The experience shows continuing divine guidance beyond Damascus. Prayer in the temple becomes the setting for the next step in his mission. The God who met him on the road meets him in Israel’s sanctuary, affirming continuity with Israel’s faith while directing him in a surprising path. The servant now listens for orders, ready to follow wherever the Lord sends.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And it came about that when I had come back to Jerusalem, while I was at prayer in the Temple, my senses became more than naturally clear,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And it came to pass when I returned to Jerusalem, and while I was praying in the temple, I came into a trance,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass, when I was come again to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass when I had returned to Jerusalem, and as I was praying in the temple, that I became in ecstasy,
Context
Following the Damascus conversion and baptism, verse 17 moves the timeline forward to a Jerusalem visit. The location—praying in the temple—bridges Paul’s newfound faith with traditional worship, countering claims that he disrespects sacred institutions. The next verses (18–21) will relay what the Lord told him in that trance: a warning that his testimony in Jerusalem would not be received and a command to depart, culminating in the commission to the Gentiles that becomes the crowd’s breaking point.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 9:26
And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
- Galatians 1:18
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
- Acts 10:9
Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:
- Acts 26:20
but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1
I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
- Revelation 1:10
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet
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