Acts 26:11

KJV

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled [them] to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted [them] even unto strange cities.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I punished {G5097} them {G846} oft {G4178} in {G2596} every {G3956} synagogue {G4864}, and compelled {G315} them to blaspheme {G987}; and {G5037} being {G1693} exceedingly {G4057} mad against {G1693} them {G846}, I persecuted {G1377} them even {G2532} unto {G1519}{G2193} strange {G1854} cities {G4172}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Often I went from one synagogue to another, punishing them and trying to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury against them, I even went so far as to persecute them in cities outside the country.

Berean Standard Bible

I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

American Standard Version

And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 26:11, Paul, in his defense before King Agrippa II, vividly recounts the depth of his zealous persecution of early Christians before his conversion. He describes systematically punishing believers in synagogues, coercing them to renounce Christ, and pursuing them with intense fury even to distant cities. This verse powerfully illustrates the extreme measures he took to suppress the nascent Christian movement, setting the stage for the miraculous divine intervention that radically transformed his life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 26:11 is embedded within Paul's eloquent and impassioned defense speech before King Agrippa II, Festus, and Bernice (Acts 26:1-23). This is Paul's third major defense recorded in Acts, following his testimonies in Jerusalem (Acts 22) and before Felix (Acts 24). In this particular address, Paul strategically weaves his personal testimony—from his strict Pharisaic upbringing to his dramatic conversion on the Damascus road and subsequent apostolic ministry—into a compelling argument for his innocence and the truth of the Gospel. Verse 11 serves as a stark confession of his pre-conversion hostility, emphasizing the radical nature of his transformation and providing a powerful backdrop for the divine intervention he is about to describe. It highlights the profound shift from persecutor to persecuted, underscoring the undeniable power of the resurrected Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Caesarea Maritima, around A.D. 59-60. Paul, a Roman citizen, is on trial, facing accusations from Jewish leaders. His actions described in this verse reflect the intense conflict between nascent Christianity and traditional Judaism. Synagogues served not only as places of worship but also as community centers where Jewish law was enforced, including disciplinary actions like flogging (cf. [Matthew 10:17](/matthew/10-17 "Matthew 10:17 - Persecution in Synagogues")). Forcing believers to "blaspheme" (i.e., to publicly deny or curse Christ) was a severe form of spiritual coercion, designed to break their faith and allegiance to Jesus, and to publicly discredit "the Way." Paul's authority to pursue believers "unto strange cities" indicates that he acted under the sanction of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish governing body, highlighting the widespread nature of early Christian communities across the Roman Empire's Jewish diaspora and the Jewish authorities' determined efforts to suppress them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts and Paul's broader theology. It vividly portrays the theme of **Zeal Without Knowledge**, where Paul's fervent religious devotion was tragically misdirected, leading him to persecute God's own people (cf. [Romans 10:2](/romans/10-2 "Romans 10:2 - Zeal Without Knowledge")). It powerfully underscores the **Radical Nature of Conversion**, demonstrating that no one is beyond the transforming power of God's grace, as seen in Paul's dramatic shift from persecutor to apostle (cf. [Acts 9:1-19](/acts/9-1-19 "Acts 9:1-19 - Saul's Conversion")). Furthermore, it highlights the **Cost of Discipleship** for early Christians, who faced severe persecution, including physical punishment and spiritual coercion, for their faith in Jesus (cf. [Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - Enduring Persecution")). Finally, it implicitly points to **Divine Sovereignty**, as God sovereignly used Paul's misguided zeal and subsequent conversion to further His redemptive purposes, turning a formidable opponent into His most effective missionary.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **punished (Greek, _timōréō'_):** This verb means to protect one's honor, and by extension, to avenge or inflict a penalty. Paul's actions were seen by him as a righteous defense of God's honor and the purity of Judaism, justifying the severe penalties he imposed on Christians.
* **compelled (Greek, _anankázō'_):** Derived from the word for "necessity," this term signifies to force, constrain, or put under necessity. It implies that Paul did not merely persuade but actively coerced believers, using duress to make them renounce their faith.
* **blaspheme (Greek, _blasphēméō'_):** This word means to vilify, speak impiously, or revile. In this context, it specifically refers to forcing believers to utter words that denied or cursed Christ, a direct assault on their allegiance and faith.
* **mad against (Greek, _emmaínomai'_):** This compound verb, combining "in" and "to rave," vividly describes Paul's extreme, almost frenzied rage or fury directed at the Christians. It conveys an irrational and intense hatred, underscoring the depth of his emotional opposition.
* **persecuted (Greek, _diṓkō'_):** Meaning to pursue, this verb implies a relentless and active hounding of individuals. Paul's use of this word emphasizes his persistent and aggressive efforts to suppress the Christian movement, not merely passive disapproval.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I punished them oft in every synagogue":** Paul describes his systematic and frequent infliction of penalties upon believers. This indicates that his persecution was not isolated but a widespread, organized effort conducted within the established Jewish community centers, likely involving forms of discipline such as flogging or excommunication.
* **"and compelled [them] to blaspheme":** This clause reveals the particularly cruel and spiritually devastating aspect of Paul's persecution. He sought not only to inflict physical pain but to break the believers' spiritual resolve, forcing them to publicly deny their Lord, a profound act of apostasy designed to undermine their faith and allegiance to Christ.
* **"and being exceedingly mad against them":** Paul candidly admits to the intense emotional fervor behind his actions. The phrase conveys a profound, almost irrational rage and hostility towards Christians, highlighting the depth of his conviction that "the Way" was a dangerous heresy that needed to be eradicated at all costs.
* **"I persecuted [them] even unto strange cities":** This final clause emphasizes the relentless and geographically extensive nature of Paul's campaign. His pursuit of believers extended beyond Jerusalem and Judea into the diaspora, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to stamping out Christianity wherever it appeared, as famously exemplified by his journey to Damascus.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's testimony in Acts 26:11 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Confession**, as Paul openly and unreservedly admits to his past heinous actions. This raw honesty lends immense credibility to his subsequent account of conversion, demonstrating a profound change of heart rather than mere self-preservation. The verse also utilizes **Hyperbole** or **Intensification** through phrases like "oft in every synagogue," "compelled...to blaspheme," "exceedingly mad," and "even unto strange cities." These expressions are not necessarily literal exaggerations but serve to emphasize the extreme, widespread, and deeply personal nature of his persecution, underscoring the depth of his former opposition. Furthermore, the entire speech, and this verse within it, functions as a powerful **Contrast**, setting Paul's former identity as a zealous persecutor against his current identity as a devoted apostle of Christ. This stark juxtaposition highlights the miraculous and transformative power of God's grace, making his conversion all the more remarkable and undeniable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 26:11 profoundly illustrates the destructive potential of religious zeal when untempered by divine truth and love. Paul's actions, though driven by what he believed was righteous devotion to God, were in fact a direct assault on God's own people and His unfolding redemptive plan. This serves as a sobering reminder that sincere conviction, when misdirected, can lead to great harm and injustice. The verse also lays the groundwork for understanding the immense grace and transformative power of God, who could take such a vehement opponent of the Gospel and not only forgive him but repurpose him as its most ardent advocate. It underscores the truth that no one is beyond the reach of divine mercy, offering hope for the redemption of even the most hostile hearts.

* [1 Timothy 1:13](/1_timothy/1-13 "1 Timothy 1:13 - Paul's Former Blasphemy")
* [Philippians 3:4-6](/philippians/3-4-6 "Philippians 3:4-6 - Paul's Former Righteousness")
* [Acts 9:1-2](/acts/9-1-2 "Acts 9:1-2 - Saul's Persecution before Damascus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's raw confession in Acts 26:11 offers profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it stands as a powerful testament to the limitless transforming power of God's grace. If God could take someone so vehemently opposed to His Son and His people, filled with such "exceedingly mad" hatred, and transform him into the greatest apostle, then truly no one is beyond the reach of His redemptive love. This should inspire us to never give up hope for those who seem most resistant to the Gospel, and to pray fervently for their salvation. Secondly, Paul's misguided zeal serves as a stark warning about the dangers of religious fervor untempered by true knowledge of God and His will. It reminds us that sincerity is not enough; our zeal must be aligned with God's truth, guided by His Spirit, and expressed in love, lest we, like Paul, inadvertently cause harm while believing we are serving God. Finally, the persecution faced by early Christians, including the pressure to blaspheme, underscores the enduring cost of discipleship and the call to unwavering faithfulness in the face of opposition. It challenges us to examine our own commitment to Christ: are we willing to stand firm in our convictions, even when pressured to compromise or renounce our faith?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's radical transformation from persecutor to apostle encourage you in your own faith journey or in your prayers for others?**
* **In what ways might sincere religious zeal, if misdirected or lacking true understanding, lead to harm or injustice in our world today?**
* **What does Paul's willingness to openly confess his past sins teach us about humility, repentance, and the nature of true forgiveness?**

### FAQ
**Why would Paul force believers to "blaspheme" against Christ?**

Answer: Paul's primary motivation was to eradicate what he perceived as a dangerous heresy that threatened the purity of Judaism. Forcing believers to "blaspheme" (to publicly deny or curse Christ) was a strategic and cruel tactic. It aimed to achieve several objectives: to break the individual's faith and allegiance to Jesus, to publicly shame and discredit them, to deter others from joining "the Way," and to demonstrate the perceived triumph of traditional Judaism over this new sect. It was a profound act of spiritual coercion, designed to undermine the very core of their belief and loyalty to Christ, thereby dismantling the burgeoning Christian movement from within.

**What does Paul's persecution "even unto strange cities" imply about the early Christian movement?**

Answer: The phrase "even unto strange cities" (or "foreign cities") is significant because it indicates that Christianity had spread rapidly and widely beyond Jerusalem and Judea into the broader Jewish diaspora. Paul's authority to pursue and punish believers in these distant locations (like Damascus, which was outside Judea but had a significant Jewish population) suggests that the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem viewed "the Way" as a serious threat requiring extensive measures to suppress. It highlights the dynamic growth of the early church and the widespread persecution it faced, demonstrating that the Gospel was already taking root in various parts of the Roman Empire, far from its birthplace in Jerusalem.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 26:11, detailing Paul's ferocious persecution of believers, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment not in the actions of the persecutor, but in the profound redemptive power of the One being persecuted. Paul's "exceedingly mad" rage and systematic efforts to compel blasphemy against Christ ultimately highlight the very nature of the opposition Christ faced throughout His earthly ministry and continues to face in His body, the Church. Yet, it is precisely this extreme antagonism that sets the stage for the most glorious display of Christ's sovereignty and grace. The resurrected Christ, whom Paul was persecuting (as revealed in [Acts 9:4](/acts/9-4 "Acts 9:4 - Jesus Identifies with His People")), intervened directly, not with judgment, but with transforming light and mercy. Paul's radical conversion from a persecutor of Christ to His most zealous apostle (cf. [Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's New Priorities")) stands as a living testament to Christ's power to redeem even His fiercest enemies and to turn their misguided zeal into instruments for His kingdom. This narrative beautifully illustrates that Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), is capable of forgiving the gravest offenses and making all things new ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), even transforming a destroyer into a builder of His church.

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 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Acts 22:19

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

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 9:1

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

Acts 22:5

As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

Acts 18:6

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook [his] raiment, and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I [am] clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Luke 15:17

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!