Acts 26:12
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
Original Language Analysis
οἷς
G3739
οἷς
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 15
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πορευόμενος
as I went
G4198
πορευόμενος
as I went
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
4 of 15
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἐξουσίας
authority
G1849
ἐξουσίας
authority
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
9 of 15
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρὰ
from
G3844
παρὰ
from
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
Historical Context
This occurred circa AD 34-35, during the intense persecution following Stephen's martyrdom. Damascus was a major city in the Decapolis under Roman Syria, with substantial Jewish diaspora communities. Paul's commission from the high priest (likely Caiaphas or Jonathan) demonstrates the Sanhedrin's extraterritorial reach over diaspora synagogues through religious authority, even lacking direct Roman jurisdiction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's emphasis on his official credentials before Agrippa strengthen his testimony's credibility rather than excuse his guilt?
- What does Paul's journey to Damascus 'with authority' reveal about religious conviction without regeneration—and how might we possess similar zeal apart from true spiritual sight?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests—Paul recounts the zenith of his pre-conversion zealotry before King Agrippa. Authority and commission (ἐξουσίας καὶ ἐπιτροπῆς, exousias kai epitropēs) denotes official rabbinic authorization—Paul wasn't a rogue persecutor but a credentialed agent of the Sanhedrin, armed with legal warrants (cf. Acts 9:2). Damascus, 135 miles north, had a significant Jewish population requiring external synagogue authorities to pursue 'the Way.'
The irony is profound: Paul's exousia from Jerusalem's priests would be eclipsed by Christ's greater authority on that very road. His meticulous documentation of credentials (Galatians 1:14, Philippians 3:5-6) shows this wasn't youthful indiscretion but calculated theological opposition—making his subsequent transformation undeniably supernatural, not psychological evolution.