Acts 22:18

KJV

And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} saw {G1492} him {G846} saying {G3004} unto me {G3427}, Make haste {G4692}, and {G2532} get thee {G1831} quickly {G5034}{G1722} out of {G1537} Jerusalem {G2419}: for {G1360} they will {G3858} not {G3756} receive {G3858} thy {G4675} testimony {G3141} concerning {G4012} me {G1700}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and I saw Yeshua. ‘Hurry!’ he said to me, ‘Get out of Yerushalayim immediately, because they will not accept what you have to say about me.’

Berean Standard Bible

and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’

American Standard Version

and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 22:18 records a pivotal moment in Paul's life, recounted during his defense before the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. In this vision, the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ directly commands Paul to depart from Jerusalem with urgency, revealing that his personal witness concerning Christ would not be accepted by the people there. This divine directive underscores God's sovereign guidance in Paul's ministry and foreshadows the strategic redirection of the Gospel message from a predominantly Jewish audience to the Gentile world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Paul's third recorded defense speech in the Book of Acts, specifically in [Acts 22](/acts/22 "Acts 22 - Paul's Defense Before the Jews"). Paul, having been seized by a mob in the Temple and subsequently rescued by Roman soldiers, is granted permission to address the agitated crowd. He seizes this opportunity to share his profound personal testimony, beginning with his zealous background as a Pharisee and meticulously detailing his radical encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus Road. The vision recounted in [Acts 22:17-21](/acts/22-17-21 "Acts 22:17-21 - Paul's Vision in the Temple") occurred while he was praying in the Temple, a place of deep reverence for him as a former devout Jew. The command to "Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem" serves as a divine explanation for Paul's subsequent shift in ministry focus, directly preceding his detailed account of being commissioned to the Gentiles in [Acts 22:21](/acts/22-21 "Acts 22:21 - Paul Sent to the Gentiles").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem, at this time, was the spiritual and political heartland of Judaism, deeply steeped in traditions and expectations concerning the Messiah. The Jewish leadership and a significant portion of the populace held firmly to a nationalistic, earthly understanding of the Messiah, which clashed violently with the concept of a crucified and resurrected Christ, especially one who would extend salvation to Gentiles. Paul, a former zealous persecutor of Christians and a Pharisee of Pharisees, understood this cultural milieu intimately. His return to Jerusalem, particularly to the Temple, was a profound act, yet the deep-seated rejection of Jesus as Messiah by many Jews made his testimony particularly unwelcome. The urgency of the command to leave reflects the imminent danger Paul faced and the futility of his immediate efforts to persuade the Jerusalem populace, highlighting the spiritual blindness and hardened hearts prevalent among those who rejected the Gospel.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**, demonstrating that God actively directs the paths of His servants, even when those paths diverge from human expectations or desires. Paul's ministry was not a self-initiated endeavor but a divinely appointed mission, as evidenced by this direct instruction from Christ. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Reality of Gospel Rejection**, a painful but consistent theme throughout the biblical narrative. The Lord's explicit statement, "they will not receive thy testimony concerning me," reveals the spiritual opposition Paul would face, echoing the rejection Christ Himself experienced in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected by His Own"). Finally, this divine command marks a crucial moment of **Strategic Redirection for Ministry**. Paul's departure from Jerusalem, though perhaps initially disappointing to him given his deep love for his people (as expressed in [Romans 9:1-3](/romans/9-1-3 "Romans 9:1-3 - Paul's Anguish for Israel")), was not a sign of failure but a necessary step in God's broader plan to spread the Gospel beyond Jewish confines, paving the way for Paul's extensive missionary journeys to the Gentiles, as seen in [Acts 13:46-48](/acts/13-46-48 "Acts 13:46-48 - Paul and Barnabas Turn to the Gentiles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** From G1492, this primary verb means to see, literally or figuratively, and by implication, to know. In the perfect tense, it conveys a state of having seen and thus knowing. Here, Paul is recounting a direct, visual encounter with the Lord, emphasizing the reality and authority of the divine communication he received. It's not merely hearing, but seeing and understanding.
* **receive (Greek, _paradéchomai'_):** From G3858, this word means to accept near, to admit, or by implication, to delight in. The negative "will not receive" (G3756 ou + G3858 paradéchomai) indicates a definite and resolute refusal to accept Paul's message, not merely a passive lack of understanding, but an active rejection of his testimony concerning Christ.
* **testimony (Greek, _martyría'_):** From G3141, this noun refers to evidence given, a witness, or a declaration. It signifies Paul's authoritative and personal account of Jesus Christ, based on his direct encounter and commission. This is the very root of the English word "martyr," highlighting the profound and often costly nature of bearing witness to Christ, even unto death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And saw him saying unto me":** This phrase immediately establishes the supernatural nature of the encounter. Paul is not merely reflecting or meditating; he is in a vision, seeing and hearing the resurrected Christ. This direct communication from the Lord validates the instruction that follows and underscores its divine authority and urgency.
* **"Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem":** This is a direct, urgent command from Jesus. The repetition of urgency ("make haste," "quickly") emphasizes the immediate necessity of Paul's departure. It's not a suggestion but a divine imperative, indicating that Paul's continued presence and efforts in Jerusalem would be unfruitful and potentially dangerous. This command sets the stage for a significant shift in Paul's ministry focus.
* **"for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.":** This clause provides the divine rationale for the urgent command. The Lord explicitly states that Paul's witness about Him will be rejected by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This is a painful truth for Paul, who deeply desired the salvation of his own people, but it is a clear prophetic warning that his efforts there would be met with hardened hearts and resistance, necessitating a strategic relocation for the Gospel's broader advancement.

#### Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs **Direct Speech**, as Paul recounts the exact words spoken to him by the Lord Jesus Christ. This device lends immediacy and authority to the divine command, making the instruction clear and undeniable. Furthermore, the statement functions as a **Prophetic Warning**, foretelling the specific outcome of Paul's evangelistic efforts in Jerusalem (rejection) and thus justifying the divine imperative to depart. The phrase "Make haste, and get thee quickly" also utilizes **Emphasis through Repetition**, underscoring the critical nature of the command and the need for immediate obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 22:18 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign direction in the lives of His servants and the strategic unfolding of His redemptive plan. It reveals that while God desires all to come to repentance, He also acknowledges and accounts for human resistance to the Gospel. The rejection Paul faced in Jerusalem, foretold by Christ, was not a failure of Paul's testimony but an integral part of God's design to shift the primary focus of the Gospel's spread. This divine redirection highlights that God's mission is not bound by geographical or ethnic limitations, but will always find a way to advance, even if it means moving His messengers to new fields. It teaches us that obedience to God's sometimes challenging or counter-intuitive commands is paramount for effective ministry, as His wisdom far surpasses our own understanding of where and how His kingdom should expand.

* [Matthew 10:14](/matthew/10-14 "Matthew 10:14 - Shake Off the Dust")
* [Romans 9:1-3](/romans/9-1-3 "Romans 9:1-3 - Paul's Sorrow for Israel")
* [Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "Acts 13:46 - Paul Turns to the Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 22:18 offers a powerful lesson in discerning and obeying God's will, even when it involves painful truths or unexpected redirections. Paul, deeply committed to his Jewish heritage and longing for his people's salvation, was commanded to leave the very epicenter of their faith. This challenges us to consider our own attachments and preferences in ministry and life. Are we willing to "make haste" and depart from comfortable or desired paths if God clearly indicates a different direction? The verse also prepares us for the reality of rejection. Not every seed sown will bear fruit, and not every testimony will be received. Our faithfulness is measured by our obedience in delivering the message, not solely by the immediate response it emits. When faced with closed doors or hardened hearts, this passage encourages us to seek God's strategic redirection rather than becoming discouraged or stagnant. God's plan for the Gospel's advancement is vast, and He will always open new avenues for those who are obedient to His leading.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might God be calling me to "make haste" and move on, even if it's difficult?**
* **How do I respond when my efforts to share the Gospel or serve God are met with rejection or indifference?**
* **What does Paul's obedience in this passage teach me about trusting God's wisdom over my own desires or expectations for ministry?**

### FAQ
**Why did God tell Paul to leave Jerusalem?**

Answer: God told Paul to leave Jerusalem because, as the Lord Himself stated, "they will not receive thy testimony concerning me." This was a divine recognition that the hearts of many in Jerusalem were hardened against the Gospel message, and Paul's continued efforts there would be largely unfruitful and dangerous. It was a strategic redirection of Paul's ministry, paving the way for him to fulfill his primary calling as an apostle to the Gentiles, where God had prepared many to receive the message of Christ. This command ensured the Gospel would spread beyond the confines of Jerusalem to the wider world, as seen in [Acts 22:21](/acts/22-21 "Acts 22:21 - Paul Sent to the Gentiles").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 22:18, though a command to Paul, resonates deeply with the life and mission of Christ Himself. Jesus, the ultimate witness, was similarly rejected by His own people in Jerusalem, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - He Was Despised and Rejected") and fulfilled in His crucifixion outside the city gates. Just as Paul was commanded to leave a place of rejection to fulfill a broader mission, Jesus's own suffering and death in Jerusalem led to the universal offer of salvation, breaking down the wall between Jew and Gentile, as described in [Ephesians 2:14-18](/ephesians/2-14-18 "Ephesians 2:14-18 - Christ Our Peace"). The "testimony concerning me" that Paul was to bear is the very Gospel of Jesus Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and ascension—which forms the core of the New Covenant. Paul's redirection from Jerusalem to the Gentiles, orchestrated by Christ, is a powerful demonstration of Jesus's lordship over His church and His unwavering commitment to ensure His message reaches "the uttermost part of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")). Thus, Paul's obedience to leave Jerusalem ultimately served the Christ-centered mission of global evangelization, fulfilling the Great Commission given by the risen Lord in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - 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

Ezekiel 3:6

Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.

Ezekiel 3:7

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.

Luke 21:21

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

Matthew 10:14

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Matthew 10:23

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Acts 3:19

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 9:29

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.