Acts 22:3
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Original Language Analysis
μὲν
verily
G3303
μὲν
verily
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 35
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
γεγεννημένος
born
G1080
γεγεννημένος
born
Strong's:
G1080
Word #:
6 of 35
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ταύτῃ
G3778
ταύτῃ
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
16 of 35
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
παρὰ
at
G3844
παρὰ
at
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
17 of 35
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πεπαιδευμένος
and taught
G3811
πεπαιδευμένος
and taught
Strong's:
G3811
Word #:
21 of 35
to train up a child, i.e., educate, or (by implication), discipline (by punishment)
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
22 of 35
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
26 of 35
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ὑπάρχων
and was
G5225
ὑπάρχων
and was
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
28 of 35
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 9:11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,Acts 5:34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;Acts 26:5Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.Acts 21:39But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.Acts 21:20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:2 Corinthians 11:22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.Deuteronomy 33:3Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.Luke 10:39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.2 Kings 4:38And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.Acts 6:9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Historical Context
Studying under Gamaliel (ca. AD 22-30) placed Paul at Judaism's intellectual apex. Gamaliel taught in Jerusalem, making Paul a product of the Holy City's rabbinic schools despite his Diaspora birth. This training made Paul uniquely qualified to explain how Jesus fulfilled Torah and Prophets.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's impeccable Jewish pedigree strengthen his testimony that salvation is by grace through faith, not law-keeping?
- What 'credentials' from your pre-Christian life has God redeemed for gospel purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Born in Tarsus—Paul claims both Jewish purity and Roman citizenship (21:39). Tarsus was a major intellectual center, suggesting elite education. At the feet of Gamaliel (παρὰ τοὺς πόδας Γαμαλιήλ)—Studying 'at the feet' indicated formal rabbinic discipleship. Gamaliel I was the most respected Pharisee of his generation (Acts 5:34-39), grandson of Hillel, whose moderate wisdom had earlier spared the apostles' lives.
Perfect manner of the law (ἀκρίβειαν τοῦ πατρῴου νόμου)—The Greek 'akribeia' means exactness, precision, strictness. Paul wasn't a casual Jew but a zealous Pharisee who kept the law meticulously (Philippians 3:5-6). His persecution of Christians stemmed not from ignorance but from informed conviction that this sect was heretical. Christ didn't save a nominal Jew but transformed a passionate opponent.