Acts 22:19

KJV

And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

KJV (with Strong's)

And I {G2504} said {G2036}, Lord {G2962}, they {G846} know {G1987} that {G3754} I {G1473} imprisoned {G2252}{G5439} and {G2532} beat {G1194} in every {G2596} synagogue {G4864} them that believed {G4100} on {G1909} thee {G4571}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I said, ‘Lord, they know themselves that in every synagogue I used to imprison and flog those who trusted in you;

Berean Standard Bible

‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You.

American Standard Version

And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, while delivering his defense before a hostile Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, recounts a pivotal moment from a vision he experienced in the temple after his conversion. He addresses the Lord, reminding Him of his notorious past as a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted followers of Christ, imprisoning and beating them in synagogues. This statement serves as Paul’s human reasoning regarding his suitability for ministry in Jerusalem, setting the stage for the Lord’s surprising directive to preach to the Gentiles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Paul’s powerful defense speech to the Jewish mob in Jerusalem, recorded in [Acts 22:1-21](/acts/22-1-21 "Acts 22:1-21 - Paul's Defense Before the Crowd"). Having been arrested in the temple courts (as detailed in [Acts 21](/acts/21 "Acts 21 - Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem")), Paul seizes the opportunity to share his personal testimony, hoping to quell the uproar and explain his dramatic transformation from persecutor to apostle. Specifically, [Acts 22:19](/acts/22-19 "Acts 22:19 - Paul's Plea in the Temple Vision") is part of his recounting of a vision he received in the temple shortly after his conversion. In this vision, Paul attempts to rationalize his ministry, suggesting to the Lord that his well-known history as a persecutor of Christians should make him a credible, or perhaps even a more effective, witness to the Jews in Jerusalem. This human logic is then directly challenged and overridden by the Lord's divine command in [Acts 22:21](/acts/22-21 "Acts 22:21 - The Lord Sends Paul to the Gentiles") to go "far away to the Gentiles," highlighting the unexpected trajectory of God's plan for Paul's life.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, was a highly educated and zealous Pharisee, a "Hebrew of Hebrews" ([Philippians 3:5](/philippians/3-5 "Philippians 3:5 - Paul's Jewish Heritage")). His persecution of early Christians, referred to as "the Way," was not a casual act but a deeply committed endeavor rooted in his conviction that they were blaspheming God by following a crucified Messiah ([Acts 26:9-11](/acts/26-9-11 "Acts 26:9-11 - Paul's Persecution of Christians")). Synagogues were the central places of Jewish worship, community, and education in the diaspora, and early Christian evangelism often began there, leading to conflict and the expulsion of believers. Paul's actions of "imprisoning and beating" were common forms of punishment meted out by Jewish authorities to those deemed heretical or disruptive, reflecting the severe social and religious ostracization faced by early followers of Jesus. This historical backdrop underscores the profound nature of Paul's conversion and the radical shift in his allegiance.

* **Key Themes:** [Acts 22:19](/acts/22-19 "Acts 22:19 - Paul's Past Persecution") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and Paul's epistles. Firstly, it highlights **Paul's Radical Transformation**, emphasizing the extreme nature of his conversion from a violent opponent of Christ to His most fervent apostle. This is a recurring theme in Paul's writings, such as in [Galatians 1:13](/galatians/1-13 "Galatians 1:13 - Paul's Former Persecution of the Church") and [Philippians 3:6](/philippians/3-6 "Philippians 3:6 - Paul's Zeal as a Persecutor"). Secondly, the verse underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Paradox**, demonstrating God's ability to choose and utilize even the most unlikely individuals for His purposes. The fact that God chose the chief persecutor to become the primary apostle to the Gentiles is a profound irony that showcases God's surprising and often counter-intuitive methods. Lastly, the mention of "every synagogue" illuminates the **Nature of Early Christian Evangelism and Persecution**, indicating that Jewish synagogues were initial hubs for the spread of the Gospel, which inevitably led to intense opposition and suffering for believers, a reality Paul himself experienced both as perpetrator and victim.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **imprisoned (Greek, _phylakízō_):** This verb means "to incarcerate" or "to put in prison." It conveys the severe, official nature of Paul's actions against Christians. He was not merely harassing them but actively participating in their legal detention, which often preceded further punishment or trials. This highlights the systemic and authoritative nature of his persecution.
* **beat (Greek, _dérō_):** This primary verb means "to flay, to scourge, or to thrash." It describes a violent, physical punishment, often involving a whip or rods. The use of this word emphasizes the brutality and physical suffering Paul inflicted upon believers. It was a painful and humiliating experience, designed to compel recantation or to punish dissent.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō_):** Derived from the word for "faith," this verb means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)" or "to credit." In this context, it identifies Paul's victims as those who had placed their trust and allegiance in Jesus Christ. This term underscores the core reason for Paul's persecution: their faith in Jesus as Messiah, which he considered a deviation from true Judaism.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I said, Lord,"**: This phrase establishes the setting as a direct address from Paul to the Lord Jesus Christ within a visionary experience. It signifies a moment of intimate communication and Paul's attempt to reason with divine authority, a characteristic human response when confronted with God's plans.
* **"they know that I imprisoned"**: Paul refers to the Jewish people in Jerusalem, emphasizing that his past actions were public knowledge and widely recognized. His imprisonment of Christians was not a secret, private affair but a notorious and official act, underscoring his zeal and authority as a persecutor.
* **"and beat in every synagogue"**: This clause further details the extent and nature of Paul's persecution. The phrase "in every synagogue" indicates the widespread and systematic nature of his efforts. Synagogues were key community centers, and Paul's actions there demonstrate his aggressive pursuit of Christians across various Jewish communities, inflicting physical violence upon them.
* **"them that believed on thee:"**: This final clause identifies the specific victims of Paul's persecution: those who had placed their faith "on thee," referring to Jesus Christ. This highlights the direct opposition Paul had to the person and claims of Jesus, and by extension, to His followers. It defines the core conflict of his pre-conversion life.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's statement in [Acts 22:19](/acts/22-19 "Acts 22:19 - Paul's Past Actions") employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question/Plea**. While phrased as a statement, Paul's words function as a plea or an implied question to the Lord, suggesting a logical reason for his proposed ministry in Jerusalem: "Surely, Lord, they know my past; wouldn't that make me a suitable witness to them?" This device reveals Paul's human reasoning and expectation, which is then dramatically subverted by God's divine will. There is also a strong element of **Juxtaposition** and **Irony**. The verse starkly juxtaposes Paul's past identity as a violent persecutor with his current identity as a devoted follower and apostle of Christ. The profound irony lies in the fact that the one who violently opposed the Way is now its chief proponent, a testament to God's transformative power. Finally, the verse serves as a powerful **Confession** and **Testimony**. Paul's open and unashamed admission of his heinous past actions, even to a hostile crowd, underscores the authenticity and radical nature of his conversion. It is a confession not of guilt seeking pardon, but of a past transformed by divine grace, serving as a powerful witness to the power of Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 22:19 profoundly illustrates the boundless nature of God's grace and His capacity for radical transformation. Paul's past as a zealous persecutor, who imprisoned and beat believers, represents the epitome of human opposition to God's kingdom. Yet, it is precisely this individual whom God sovereignly chose to be the primary apostle to the Gentiles, demonstrating that no sin is too great for divine forgiveness and no person is beyond the reach of God's redemptive plan. This verse highlights the theological truth that God often chooses the weak, the unlikely, or even the hostile, to accomplish His purposes, thereby magnifying His power and glory rather than human strength or merit. It underscores that salvation is entirely a work of divine grace, not human worthiness or past performance.

* [1 Timothy 1:13](/1_timothy/1-13 "1 Timothy 1:13 - Paul's Former Blasphemy and Persecution")
* [Philippians 3:4-6](/philippians/3-4-6 "Philippians 3:4-6 - Paul's Former Righteousness by the Law")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love While We Were Still Sinners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's raw and honest confession in Acts 22:19 offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's grace extends to the deepest depths of human sin and opposition. No matter our past mistakes, failures, or even active hostility towards God, His redemptive power is sufficient to transform us. Paul, the persecutor, became Paul, the apostle, demonstrating that our identity in Christ is not defined by our past but by His transformative work. This should inspire immense hope and freedom from shame for those burdened by their history. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider how God can use even our most difficult or seemingly regrettable experiences for His glory. Our testimonies, including our past struggles, can become powerful tools for witnessing to others about the radical change Christ brings. Paul's willingness to openly admit his failures, even to those who hated him, exemplifies humility and authenticity, encouraging us to be transparent about our own journeys of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's confession of his past actions challenge our understanding of God's grace and forgiveness?**
* **In what ways might our own past experiences, even negative ones, be used by God for His glory and for the benefit of others?**
* **What does Paul's willingness to openly admit his failures teach us about humility and authentic witness in sharing our faith?**

### FAQ

**Why does Paul remind the Lord of his past actions in this vision?**

Answer: Paul's statement in [Acts 22:19](/acts/22-19 "Acts 22:19 - Paul's Argument to the Lord") is part of a human argument or plea to the Lord regarding his ministry. He seems to be suggesting that his notorious past as a persecutor of Christians would make him a uniquely credible witness to the Jews in Jerusalem. His reasoning might have been: "Lord, they know how much I hated your followers. If I, the persecutor, now preach You, surely they will listen!" Or perhaps, conversely, he felt that his past would make him an unbelievable witness to the Gentiles, thus he should remain in Jerusalem to counter the very people he once persecuted. This highlights Paul's initial human logic, which the Lord then overrides with a divine command to go to the Gentiles, demonstrating God's surprising and sovereign plan.

**What does "every synagogue" imply about early Christianity?**

Answer: The phrase "in every synagogue" in [Acts 22:19](/acts/22-19 "Acts 22:19 - Synagogues as Centers of Persecution") is significant because it indicates that early Christian evangelism, particularly by Jewish believers, often began in the established Jewish synagogues. These were the natural gathering places for Jewish communities, providing a ready audience for the Gospel message. However, the mention of Paul "imprisoning and beating" believers in these very synagogues reveals that this initial evangelism often led to intense conflict and persecution. As the message of Jesus as the Messiah was frequently rejected by the Jewish leadership, synagogues became sites of opposition and violence against those who embraced "the Way." This detail underscores the early church's Jewish roots and the profound schism that developed as the Gospel spread.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's confession in [Acts 22:19](/acts/22-19 "Acts 22:19 - Paul's Transformation and Christ's Power") powerfully points to Christ as the ultimate source of redemption and transformation. His past as a violent persecutor, who once sought to destroy the very church he now serves, vividly illustrates the depths of human depravity and the even greater depths of God's grace found in Jesus. It is the atoning work of Christ on the cross that makes such a radical reversal possible, enabling God to forgive and repurpose even the "chief of sinners" ([1 Timothy 1:15](/1_timothy/1-15 "1 Timothy 1:15 - Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners")). Paul's conversion on the Damascus road ([Acts 9:1-19](/acts/9-1-19 "Acts 9:1-19 - The Conversion of Saul")) was a direct encounter with the resurrected Christ, demonstrating that Jesus is not merely a historical figure but a living Lord who actively calls and transforms lives. Furthermore, Paul's subsequent mission to the Gentiles, despite his own human reasoning to stay with his own people, fulfills the broader redemptive plan of God revealed in Christ—that through Him, salvation would extend to all nations ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles"), [Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Repentance and Forgiveness Proclaimed to All Nations")). Thus, Paul's testimony, rooted in his past persecution and miraculous transformation, serves as a living testament to the boundless power and inclusive love of Christ, who breaks down barriers and makes all things new ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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 22:4

And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

Matthew 10:17

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

Acts 8:3

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison.

Acts 9:1

¶ And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Acts 26:9

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Acts 26:12

¶ Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,