Acts 26:9
What does Acts 26:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:9 means
Paul candidly admits that he once believed he ought to oppose Jesus of Nazareth. His zeal was sincere but misguided. This confession underscores that his present testimony is not naivety; he had considered the matter and chose persecution. He acted from conscience and conviction before encountering superior light. Such humility strengthens credibility: Paul is not bragging of moral greatness but confessing error corrected by revelation. The point is that opposition to Jesus can arise from religious zeal, yet zeal without truth can harm the people of God. Christ’s grace confronted and redirected him, showing that sincere opponents can become faithful witnesses when they meet the risen Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For I, truly, was of the opinion that it was right for me to do a number of things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`I, indeed, therefore, thought with myself, that against the name of Jesus of Nazareth it behoved <FI>me<Fi> many things to do,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I indeed did formerly think that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I indeed myself thought that I ought to do much against the name of Jesus the Nazaraean.
Context
Moving from doctrine to biography, Paul begins recounting his former hostility to Christ (vv.9–11). This contrast with his present stance will highlight the power of his Damascus encounter in verses 12–18. The narrative flows: he thought opposing Jesus was right (v.9), he acted on it with severity (vv.10–11), and then God intervened (vv.12–15), commissioning him for mission (vv.16–18). This structure demonstrates that Paul’s change was not self-generated but the result of divine revelation and call.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 3:6
But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.
- Romans 10:2
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
- Philippians 3:6
as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
- 1 Timothy 1:13
though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
- John 15:21
But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
- Acts 22:8
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
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