Acts 22:5
What does Acts 22:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:5 means
Paul notes that the high priest and the council of elders can confirm his former mission. He even received letters authorizing him to travel to Damascus, bind believers there, and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment. This shows his past zeal was not a private crusade but sanctioned by top authorities. It also pins his story to verifiable facts and public records. By recalling these details, Paul underscores the sincerity of his former opposition and the magnitude of his change. The Damascus journey—undertaken to suppress the Way—becomes the very path on which God overturns his assumptions and redirects his life for the gospel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000As 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901As 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Of which the high priest will be a witness, and all the rulers, from whom I had letters to the brothers; and I went into Damascus, to take those who were there as prisoners to Jerusalem for punishment.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862as also the chief priest doth testify to me, and all the eldership; from whom also having received letters unto the brethren, to Damascus, I was going on, to bring also those there bound to Jerusalem that they might be punished,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As the high priest doth bear me witness and all the ancients. From whom also receiving letters to the brethren, I went to Damascus, that I might bring them bound from thence to Jerusalem to be punished.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the elderhood: from whom also, having received letters to the brethren, I went to Damascus to bring those also who were there, bound, to Jerusalem, to be punished.
Context
After confessing his violent persecution, Paul strengthens his testimony by citing official backing for his actions. Verse 5 closes the first movement of his defense: his fully Jewish credentials and sanctioned zeal. The next movement begins in verse 6: the divine encounter near Damascus. This transition is vital; it turns the spotlight from human authorization to heavenly intervention. The coming verses will narrate the light, the voice, Paul’s blindness, and the role of Ananias, leading to Paul’s commissioning and baptism.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 4:5
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
- Acts 26:12
Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
- Acts 9:1
But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
- 1 Timothy 4:14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
- Acts 26:10
And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.
- Luke 22:66
And as soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away into their council, saying,
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