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.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
As
G5613
ὡς
As
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 31
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
G749
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
4 of 31
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
μαρτυρεῖ
doth bear
G3140
μαρτυρεῖ
doth bear
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
5 of 31
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβυτέριον
the estate of the elders
G4244
πρεσβυτέριον
the estate of the elders
Strong's:
G4244
Word #:
10 of 31
the order of elders, i.e., (specially), israelite sanhedrin or christian "presbytery"
παρ'
from
G3844
παρ'
from
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
11 of 31
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
ὧν
whom
G3739
ὧν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δεξάμενος
I received
G1209
δεξάμενος
I received
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
15 of 31
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
16 of 31
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,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὺς
the brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὺς
the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
18 of 31
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἐπορευόμην
went
G4198
ἐπορευόμην
went
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
21 of 31
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ἄξων
to bring
G71
ἄξων
to bring
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
22 of 31
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δεδεμένους
bound
G1210
δεδεμένους
bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
27 of 31
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
28 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
29 of 31
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
Cross References
Luke 22:66And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,Acts 5:21And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Historical Context
This occurred around AD 34-35, shortly after Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7:58-8:3). The Damascus synagogues held authority over Jews living there, making them co-enforcers of Jerusalem's religious judgments. Paul's 'letters' represented official cooperation between Palestinian and Diaspora Jewish leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's honesty about his violent past strengthen rather than weaken his gospel witness?
- Who are the 'eyewitnesses' to your transformation that could verify Christ's work in your life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The high priest doth bear me witness (μαρτυρεῖ μοι)—Paul invokes living eyewitnesses to verify his past as chief persecutor. This wasn't distant history; some leaders present had personally authorized his Damascus mission. Letters unto the brethren (ἐπιστολὰς πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς)—Official extradition documents from the Sanhedrin to Damascus synagogues, granting authority to arrest believers and bring them to Jerusalem.
To be punished (τιμωρηθῶσιν)—The Greek 'timoreo' implies judicial vengeance, not merely discipline. Paul sought Christians' execution (Acts 26:10-11). His transformation from zealous persecutor to passionate apostle becomes undeniable evidence of Christ's resurrection—only seeing the risen Lord could convert such an opponent. The greater the antagonist, the greater the testimony.