Acts 26:9
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Original Language Analysis
μὲν
verily
G3303
μὲν
verily
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
G3767
ἔδοξα
thought
G1380
ἔδοξα
thought
Strong's:
G1380
Word #:
4 of 15
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
ἐμαυτῷ
with myself
G1683
ἐμαυτῷ
with myself
Strong's:
G1683
Word #:
5 of 15
of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
6 of 15
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,
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομα
the name
G3686
ὄνομα
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
8 of 15
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ναζωραίου
of Nazareth
G3480
Ναζωραίου
of Nazareth
Strong's:
G3480
Word #:
11 of 15
a nazoraean, i.e., inhabitant of nazareth; by extension, a christian
δεῖν
that I ought
G1163
δεῖν
that I ought
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
12 of 15
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
πολλὰ
many things
G4183
πολλὰ
many things
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
13 of 15
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
Historical Context
Paul speaks in 59 AD before King Agrippa II, defending himself against Jewish accusations. As a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), Paul had viewed Jesus-followers as heretics corrupting Judaism. His persecution campaign (Acts 8:3, 9:1-2) was motivated by what he believed was covenant faithfulness, seeking to purge Israel of blasphemers who claimed a crucified criminal was Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's example warn against confusing religious zeal with true knowledge of God (Romans 10:2)?
- What does Paul's willingness to confess his persecution of Christ teach about authentic testimony and humility?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Paul reveals the depth of his pre-conversion conviction—Greek edoxa (ἔδοξα, "I thought") with dei (δεῖ, "it is necessary"), expressing moral obligation. He didn't persecute from malice but from sincere theological conviction that the Nazarene movement threatened biblical Judaism.
This confession is crucial: Paul acted kata (κατά, "contrary to") not merely "Jesus" but "the name" (to onoma, τὸ ὄνομα)—rejecting Jesus' messianic identity entirely. His former zeal mirrors the Pharisees who delivered Jesus to Pilate (Luke 23:2), believing they served God by opposing Christ. Paul's testimony shows that religious sincerity without truth leads to opposing God's purposes, making his Damascus encounter not a conversion from irreligion but from misdirected religion.