Acts 22:1
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοὶ
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὶ
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
2 of 11
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πατέρες
fathers
G3962
πατέρες
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
4 of 11
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
8 of 11
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Historical Context
Delivered circa AD 57 from the steps of the Fortress Antonia in Jerusalem, immediately after Roman soldiers rescued Paul from a lynch mob. The crowd had falsely accused him of bringing Gentiles into the Temple's inner courts—a capital offense under Jewish law.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's respectful tone toward hostile opponents challenge your approach to defending the faith?
- When have you turned a crisis or accusation into an opportunity to share the gospel?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence (ἀκούσατέ μου τῆς πρὸς ὑμᾶς νυνὶ ἀπολογίας)—Paul's formal address uses three titles showing respect for his hostile Jewish audience. The Greek 'apologia' (ἀπολογία) means a reasoned defense, not an apology—the same term used for Christian witness in 1 Peter 3:15. Paul speaks as a fellow Jew addressing equals (brethren) and honored leaders (fathers).
This begins Paul's second major defense speech in Acts (ch. 22-26 contain his repeated apologia before various authorities). His rhetorical strategy establishes common ground before revealing how Christ transformed him from persecutor to apostle. The Jerusalem mob had just tried to kill him (Acts 21:31); now he turns riot into evangelistic opportunity.