Acts 26:10
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
Original Language Analysis
ὃ
Which thing
G3739
ὃ
Which thing
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐποίησα
did
G4160
ἐποίησα
did
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
3 of 23
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
5 of 23
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πολλούς
many
G4183
πολλούς
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
7 of 23
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίων
of the saints
G40
ἁγίων
of the saints
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
9 of 23
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
φυλακαῖς
in prison
G5438
φυλακαῖς
in prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
11 of 23
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρὰ
from
G3844
παρὰ
from
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
16 of 23
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
ἐξουσίαν
authority
G1849
ἐξουσίαν
authority
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
17 of 23
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
λαβών
having received
G2983
λαβών
having received
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
18 of 23
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
ἀναιρουμένων
were put to death
G337
ἀναιρουμένων
were put to death
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
19 of 23
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
αὐτῶν
when they
G846
αὐτῶν
when they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 23
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
Cross References
Acts 8:3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.Acts 9:21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
Historical Context
Paul speaks before King Agrippa II (c. AD 59-60) in Caesarea, defending himself against Jewish accusations. His persecution of Christians occurred roughly 25-30 years earlier (c. AD 32-34), during the volatile period after Jesus's crucifixion when the Jerusalem church faced intense opposition from the Sanhedrin. Paul's authorization from the chief priests shows the persecution was systematic and officially sanctioned, not merely mob violence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's testimony of God's grace transforming him from chief persecutor to chief apostle encourage you about God's power to redeem anyone?
- What does Paul's use of the term "saints" for those he persecuted reveal about his changed perspective on who God's true people are?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem—Paul confirms his zealous persecution was not hearsay but personal action. Many of the saints did I shut up in prison (τοὺς ἁγίους, tous hagious)—the early believers are called "saints" (holy ones), the same term applied to God's covenant people. Paul's use of this title while confessing his persecution reveals his transformed understanding.
Having received authority from the chief priests (ἐξουσίαν...παρὰ τῶν ἀρχιερέων)—official Sanhedrin authorization, likely similar to the letters mentioned in Acts 9:2. When they were put to death, I gave my voice against them (κατήνεγκα ψῆφον)—literally "cast my vote/pebble." Whether Paul was a Sanhedrin member or simply consented (as with Stephen, Acts 8:1) is debated, but the phrase indicates active, deliberate complicity in capital sentences. The chief persecutor became Christianity's chief apostle—demonstrating the radical power of Christ's transforming grace.