Devine Scripture

Acts 22:19

What does Acts 22:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 22:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 22:19 means

Paul responds that the people in Jerusalem know his past: he imprisoned and beat believers in every synagogue. He reasons that such a record should make his changed allegiance persuasive—if anyone would recognize a true turnaround, it would be those who once worked with him. His reply is sincere but shortsighted; knowledge of his zeal does not guarantee openness to his message. Nevertheless, his confession is real, acknowledging the harm he inflicted. This moment discloses Paul’s heart for his own people and his hope that God might use his story to win them, even as the Lord prepares him for another field.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I said, Lord, they themselves have knowledge that I went through the Synagogues putting in prison and whipping all those who had faith in you:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I said, Lord, they--they know that I was imprisoning and was scourging in every synagogue those believing on thee;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I said: Lord, they know that I cast into prison and beat in every synagogue them that believed in thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I was imprisoning and beating in every synagogue those that believe on thee;

Context

Verse 19 captures Paul’s initial pushback to the Lord’s command in verse 18, building into verse 20’s reference to Stephen’s martyrdom. The flow shows Paul reasoning from his past as grounds for credibility, while the Lord will redirect him regardless. This exchange sets the stage for the definitive sending in verse 21. The tension between Paul’s longing for Jerusalem’s belief and God’s plan for a Gentile mission will soon provoke the crowd’s anger.

v.18and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.

v.19This passage

v.20and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 9:1

    But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

  • Acts 8:3

    But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.

  • Matthew 10:17

    But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you;

  • Acts 22:4

    and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

  • Acts 26:9

    I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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