Acts 22:15

KJV

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G3754} thou shalt be {G2071} his {G846} witness {G3144} unto {G4314} all {G3956} men {G444} of what {G3739} thou hast seen {G3708} and {G2532} heard {G191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.

Berean Standard Bible

You will be His witness to everyone of what you have seen and heard.

American Standard Version

For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 22:15 captures a pivotal moment in Saul's (Paul's) conversion narrative, as the prophet Ananias delivers God's specific commission to him. This verse declares that Saul is divinely appointed to be a witness to all humanity, testifying to the profound, personal encounters he has had with the resurrected Jesus Christ, encompassing both what he has seen and heard. It establishes the foundational basis and universal scope of Paul's future apostolic ministry, rooted in direct, undeniable revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Paul's third recorded defense speech, delivered to a hostile Jewish crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 21:40–22:21). Paul is recounting his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus, aiming to explain his radical shift from persecutor to preacher of Christ. Immediately preceding this verse, Ananias states God's specific purpose for Saul: "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth" ([Acts 22:14](/acts/22-14 "Acts 22:14 - Ananias's Words to Paul")). Verse 15 then logically follows, detailing the *result* and *purpose* of this divine choosing and encounter – to be a witness. This personal testimony serves as the linchpin of Paul's defense, validating his apostleship and the message he proclaims.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's address takes place in Jerusalem, a city steeped in Jewish tradition and fiercely resistant to the burgeoning Christian movement. The crowd he addresses is composed of devout Jews who consider him a blasphemer and a defiler of the Temple. Ananias, though a Jew himself, is described as "a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there" ([Acts 22:12](/acts/22-12 "Acts 22:12 - Ananias's Character")). This detail is crucial for Paul's credibility, as Ananias's Jewish piety lends weight to his prophetic message to Paul. The concept of a "witness" (Greek: _martys_) was well-understood in both Jewish legal and prophetic traditions, signifying one who testifies to facts, often at personal risk. Paul's commission "unto all men" would have been particularly provocative to a Jewish audience, challenging their ethnocentric understanding of God's covenant and salvation.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 22:15 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Acts and Paul's theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Commission**, demonstrating that Paul's ministry is not self-initiated but a direct, unalterable calling from God, revealed through a divinely appointed messenger. Secondly, it highlights the **Universality of the Gospel Message**, as Paul is commissioned to witness "unto all men," foreshadowing his groundbreaking mission to the Gentiles, a theme explicitly stated by the Lord to Ananias in [Acts 9:15](/acts/9-15 "Acts 9:15 - Paul's Calling to the Gentiles"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Primacy of Eyewitness Testimony** as the foundation of apostolic authority and the Christian message. Paul's ability to testify to "what thou hast seen and heard" – his direct encounter with the risen Christ – provided undeniable authenticity to his claims, aligning with the apostolic requirement mentioned in [1 Corinthians 9:1](/1_corinthians/9-1 "1 Corinthians 9:1 - Paul's Claim to Apostleship").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **witness (Greek, _mártys'_):** From G3144, this term signifies one who observes and reports, especially in a judicial context. By analogy, it also refers to one who testifies to a truth, often enduring hardship or even death for that testimony, from which we derive the English word "martyr." In Paul's case, it denotes his divinely appointed role as an authoritative bearer of truth concerning Christ.
* **seen (Greek, _horáō'_):** From G3708, this verb means "to stare at," "to discern clearly" (physically or mentally), or "to experience." Here, it refers to Paul's direct, visual encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the Damascus road, which was a profound, undeniable, and transformative experience, forming a primary basis for his testimony.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, this primary verb means "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, understand, or be reported. In this context, it refers to Paul's auditory reception of Christ's voice and words during his conversion, which provided specific instructions and revelations, complementing his visual experience and further validating his divine commission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thou shalt be his witness":** This clause declares Paul's future identity and primary function. The phrase "shalt be" (Greek: _ésomai_) indicates a divine imperative and a certain future. Paul is not merely *a* witness, but "his" witness, specifically Christ's witness, implying a direct representation and proclamation of Christ's person and work. This is a foundational commissioning, establishing his apostolic calling.
* **"unto all men":** This specifies the universal scope of Paul's mission. His testimony is not confined to a particular group (like the Jews) but is intended for "all men" (Greek: _pâs ánthrōpos_), encompassing every human being regardless of ethnicity, social status, or background. This highlights the inclusive and global nature of the Gospel message that Paul would champion throughout his ministry.
* **"of what thou hast seen and heard":** This clause defines the content and authority of Paul's witness. His testimony is not based on hearsay, speculation, or human tradition, but on direct, personal, and undeniable encounters with the risen Christ. The combination of "seen" (visual revelation) and "heard" (auditory revelation) signifies a comprehensive and authentic experience that provides the irrefutable foundation for his apostolic message.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 22:15 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as Ananias speaks directly to Saul, lending an immediate and personal weight to the divine commission. This is reinforced by **Commissioning Language**, where the imperative "thou shalt be" underscores the divine authority behind Paul's appointment, akin to prophetic pronouncements. There is also a strong emphasis on **Eyewitness Testimony**, as the phrase "what thou hast seen and heard" functions as a rhetorical device to establish the irrefutable, experiential basis for Paul's future preaching. This emphasis serves to validate Paul's claims to the skeptical Jewish audience, presenting his conversion not as a mere change of mind but as a direct encounter with the divine. The phrase "unto all men" also utilizes **Hyperbole** or **Generalization** to emphasize the expansive, universal reach of Paul's mission, signifying the breaking down of traditional barriers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 22:15 is deeply theological, establishing the divine origin and authoritative nature of Paul's apostleship, rooted in his direct encounter with the risen Christ. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine ministry flows from a personal experience of God's revelation and a divine call, not from human ambition or intellectual prowess alone. The universal scope of Paul's witness foreshadows the global expansion of the church, demonstrating God's redemptive plan for all humanity, not just a select few. This verse also highlights the foundational importance of eyewitness testimony in the early church, as the apostles were chosen precisely because they had "seen and heard" the resurrected Lord, providing an unshakeable basis for the Gospel message.

* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Holy Spirit and Witnessing")
* [Luke 24:48](/luke/24-48 "Luke 24:48 - Disciples as Witnesses")
* [John 15:27](/john/15-27 "John 15:27 - Disciples' Witness of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 22:15 resonates deeply with believers today, reminding us that while Paul's call was unique in its apostolic scope, the fundamental principle of being a "witness" applies to every follower of Christ. We are all called to share our personal encounters with God – what we have "seen" of His work in our lives, His character revealed in His Word, and what we have "heard" through His Spirit and the Gospel message. Our testimony, though not apostolic in the same sense as Paul's, gains its power from its authenticity and personal experience. This verse challenges us to consider the breadth of our witness: are we willing to share the hope we have "unto all men," transcending our comfort zones and reaching out to diverse communities? It also encourages us to reflect on the source of our confidence in sharing our faith; it should stem from a genuine, ongoing relationship with Christ, allowing His transformative power in our lives to speak volumes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What have you "seen" and "heard" of God's work in your own life that you can share with others?**
* **In what ways might you be limiting your witness to only certain groups of people, and how can you expand your reach "unto all men"?**
* **How does your personal encounter with Jesus Christ empower and authenticate your desire to share the Gospel?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Ananias delivering this message to Paul?**

Answer: Ananias's role is highly significant because he acts as God's chosen messenger, validating Paul's conversion and commissioning. As a devout Jew respected by the local Jewish community ([Acts 22:12](/acts/22-12 "Acts 22:12 - Ananias's Reputation")), Ananias's prophetic words lend divine authority and credibility to Paul's radical transformation and future mission, particularly important for Paul's defense before a Jewish audience. His involvement underscores that Paul's calling was not self-appointed but divinely ordained and affirmed through an established believer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 22:15 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself, who is the "faithful and true witness" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - Christ, the Faithful Witness")). Paul's commission to be "his witness" means testifying to Jesus, the one he "has seen and heard." This echoes Jesus's own self-testimony, as He consistently bore witness to the Father and the truth He embodied ([John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus's Self-Testimony")). Paul's entire ministry became a living testament to Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, proclaiming the good news that through Christ, salvation is available "unto all men" ([Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12-13 "Romans 10:12-13 - Salvation for All")). Paul's eyewitness account of the risen Lord ([1 Corinthians 15:8](/1_corinthians/15-8 "1 Corinthians 15:8 - Paul's Encounter with the Risen Christ")) became the bedrock of his apostolic authority, enabling him to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations, all centered on the saving work of Jesus Christ ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 23:11

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Acts 4:20

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

John 15:27

And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Luke 24:47

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:48

And ye are witnesses of these things.

Acts 27:24

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.