Acts 22:4
What does Acts 22:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:4 means
Paul openly confesses that he persecuted “this Way” to the point of death, imprisoning both men and women. He does not sugarcoat his past; he presents it to magnify the grace that met him. His efforts were not casual opposition but systematic pursuit, treating followers of Jesus as enemies of God. In admitting this, Paul invites the crowd to consider that his turnaround required extraordinary intervention. Only a compelling truth—encounter with the risen Jesus—could turn a persecutor into a preacher. His honesty builds credibility: if he will tell hard truths about himself, perhaps he is trustworthy when he speaks about what God has done.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I made attacks on this Way, even to death, taking men and women and putting them in prison.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And this way I persecuted unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who have persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women;
Context
Verse 4 follows Paul’s statement of zeal and training by detailing his former hostility toward the church. The narrative escalates: from zeal in verse 3 to violent action in verses 4–5. This context sets up the dramatic contrast of verses 6–11, where divine light and a heavenly voice arrest his course. The flow underscores that Paul’s conversion was not the result of education, persuasion, or convenience, but of God’s direct intervention, later confirmed by Ananias and a commission to witness.
v.3I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:
v.4This passage
v.5As 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 journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 9:13
But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:
- Acts 19:23
And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- Philippians 3:6
as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
- Acts 19:9
But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
- Acts 9:21
And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.
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