Acts 22:19
And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
Original Language Analysis
κἀγὼ
And I
G2504
κἀγὼ
And I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
1 of 18
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
3 of 18
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτοὶ
they
G846
αὐτοὶ
they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπίστανται
know
G1987
ἐπίστανται
know
Strong's:
G1987
Word #:
5 of 18
to put the mind upon, i.e., comprehend, or be acquainted with
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δέρων
beat
G1194
δέρων
beat
Strong's:
G1194
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, to flay, i.e., (by implication) to scourge, or (by analogy) to thrash
κατὰ
in every
G2596
κατὰ
in every
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
12 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συναγωγὰς
synagogue
G4864
συναγωγὰς
synagogue
Strong's:
G4864
Word #:
14 of 18
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστεύοντας
them that believed
G4100
πιστεύοντας
them that believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
16 of 18
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
Cross References
Acts 22:4And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.Matthew 10:17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;Acts 8:3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Historical Context
Paul's pre-conversion persecution is documented in Acts 8:3, 9:1-2, and his own testimony (1 Corinthians 15:9, Galatians 1:13, Philippians 3:6). He held coats at Stephen's stoning (Acts 7:58) and ravaged the church, entering houses to drag believers to prison.
Questions for Reflection
- When has your past equipped you for ministry in unexpected ways rather than obvious ones?
- How can dramatic conversion testimonies sometimes hinder rather than help certain audiences?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat (ἐφυλάκιζον καὶ ἔδερον)—Paul argues that his dramatic transformation would powerfully testify to Christ. The imperfect tense of both verbs indicates repeated, ongoing action—Paul systematically persecuted believers in every synagogue (κατὰ τὰς συναγωγάς). He assumes his notorious past makes him the ideal witness to Jerusalem Jews. But God's wisdom differs—Paul's persecution actually disqualified him in Jerusalem while authenticating him to Gentiles. Human reasoning about ministry strategy often inverts divine wisdom. Paul must learn that apostleship requires God's appointment, not human credentials.