Acts 26:11
And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατὰ
in
G2596
κατὰ
in
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
2 of 21
(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 #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συναγωγὰς
synagogue
G4864
συναγωγὰς
synagogue
Strong's:
G4864
Word #:
5 of 21
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
τιμωρῶν
I punished
G5097
τιμωρῶν
I punished
Strong's:
G5097
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, to protect one's honor, i.e., to avenge (inflict a penalty)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 21
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
βλασφημεῖν
them to blaspheme
G987
βλασφημεῖν
them to blaspheme
Strong's:
G987
Word #:
10 of 21
to vilify; specially, to speak impiously
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 21
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
ἐδίωκον
I persecuted
G1377
ἐδίωκον
I persecuted
Strong's:
G1377
Word #:
15 of 21
compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
ἕως
G2193
ἕως
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
16 of 21
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
18 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 13:45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.Acts 22:19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:Matthew 10:17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Historical Context
Paul (then Saul) led persecution circa AD 32-34, authorized by the Sanhedrin to hunt Christians in synagogues throughout Judea and Syria. The 'strange cities' included Damascus, where his conversion interrupted the violent campaign. Forcing believers to blaspheme was particularly heinous in Judaism, showing how far zeal without knowledge had taken him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's transparency about his violent past inform how we should share our own testimonies of God's transforming grace?
- In what ways can religious zeal become 'exceedingly mad' when divorced from true knowledge of God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I punished them oft in every synagogue—Paul's relentless persecution targeted Christians in the very places of worship where they still gathered. The Greek ἀναγκάζω (anagkazo, compelled) reveals physical coercion, not mere persuasion. Compelled them to blaspheme meant forcing believers under torture to curse Jesus as Lord—a direct assault on their confession that 'Jesus is Lord' (1 Cor 12:3). The phrase exceedingly mad (περισσῶς ἐμμαινόμενος, perissos emmainomenos) depicts Paul's fury as irrational rage, religious fanaticism blinding him to truth.
Paul's testimony before Agrippa doesn't minimize his guilt but magnifies God's grace. The man who 'breathed out threatenings and slaughter' (Acts 9:1) now proclaims the gospel to kings. Even unto strange cities shows persecution extending beyond Jerusalem to Damascus and likely other regions—systematic, organized violence against the church. This brutal past made Paul forever humble, calling himself 'chief of sinners' (1 Tim 1:15).