Acts 26:10
What does Acts 26:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:10 means
Paul details his actions: in Jerusalem he imprisoned many believers with authority from the chief priests, and when Christians were condemned to death, he cast his vote against them. He wants the court to grasp the severity of his former opposition. He was not an onlooker but an active participant in persecution, aligned with the highest religious authorities. This strengthens two points: the transformation in him is real and profound, and the movement he once tried to crush was no secret fringe. Yet God’s mercy met even a violent persecutor. The very one who consented to deaths now proclaims life in the risen Jesus, showing the gospel’s power to change hearts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And this I did in Jerusalem: and numbers of the saints I put in prison, having had authority given to me from the chief priests, and when they were put to death, I gave my decision against them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862which also I did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I in prison did shut up, from the chief priests having received the authority; they also being put to death, I gave my vote against them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Which also I did at Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests. And when they were put to death, I brought the sentence.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Which also I did in Jerusalem, and myself shut up in prisons many of the saints, having received the authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote.
Context
Still in the section describing his pre-conversion life, Paul offers concrete examples of his hostility (vv.10–11). This prepares for the dramatic interruption of grace on the Damascus road (vv.12–15) and the commissioning that follows (vv.16–18). The emphasis on Jerusalem and priestly authorization underlines that his former course had institutional backing. This context heightens the significance of his about-face: only an encounter with the risen Christ could explain it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
- 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.
- Acts 9:1
But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
- Acts 9:32
And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda.
- 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.
- 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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