Acts 22 17

Acts 22:17 kjv

And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

Acts 22:17 nkjv

"Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance

Acts 22:17 niv

"When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance

Acts 22:17 esv

"When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance

Acts 22:17 nlt

"After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance.

Acts 22 verses

Acts 22 17 Meaning

Acts 22:17 describes a pivotal moment in Paul's (formerly Saul's) spiritual journey, as recounted by him during his defense speech in Jerusalem. While in the Jerusalem Temple, engaged in prayer, Paul experienced a divine "trance." This state of altered consciousness was a means by which God communicated directly with him, setting the stage for subsequent divine instructions concerning his ministry, particularly his mission to the Gentiles. It underlines the authenticity of his apostleship and the divine origin of his calling, presenting it as an experience directly from God within a revered Jewish context.

Acts 22 17 Context

Acts 22:17 is part of Paul's impassioned defense before the hostile Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, after he was arrested in the Temple courts (Acts 21). He uses this personal testimony, recounting his conversion on the Damascus Road and subsequent interactions with God, to justify his apostleship and, implicitly, his ministry to Gentiles. The verse details a specific moment after his conversion, when he returned to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26; Gal 1:18), prior to his significant mission journeys. His prayer in the Temple signifies his continued reverence for Jewish traditions even after becoming a follower of Christ. The trance in this sacred place adds divine validation to his spiritual journey and upcoming commission, presenting his mission as God-ordained rather than a personal deviation from Jewish law. The surrounding verses in Acts 22 explain what God revealed to him in this trance, specifically his future mission far away to the Gentiles, which was the ultimate source of Jewish anger.

Acts 22 17 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (Καὶ ἐγένετο - Kai egeneto): A common idiomatic phrase in the Septuagint and New Testament, especially characteristic of Luke's writing. It functions as a narrative transition, introducing a new event or a development in the story, marking it as a significant happening.

• that, when I was come again to Jerusalem (ἀνακάμψαντός μου εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ - anakampsantós mou eis Hierousalēm): Refers to Paul's return to Jerusalem after his initial conversion and time in Damascus and Arabia (Acts 9:26, Gal 1:18). This emphasizes the geographical setting, highlighting his physical return to the spiritual capital of Judaism, where his dramatic shift in allegiance would be particularly impactful to his audience.

• even while I prayed (προσευχομένου μου - proseuchoménou mou): Denotes Paul's state of active devotion. Prayer in Scripture is frequently a context where individuals open themselves to divine communication and encounter. It implies spiritual receptivity and earnest seeking, suggesting the subsequent vision was a response to a genuine act of worship.

• in the temple (ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ - en tō hierō): Specifies the holy site for Jewish worship, not merely a synagogue. This detail is crucial for Paul's defense, as it establishes that this divine encounter occurred within the very heart of Jewish faith and tradition, authenticating his experience to a Jewish audience who revered the Temple. It underlines that Paul, even as a follower of Christ, continued to worship within his heritage, challenging the perception that he had utterly abandoned it.

• I was in a trance (γενέσθαι με ἐν ἐκστάσει - genesthai me en ekstásei):

  • ἔκστασις (ekstasis): Literally meaning "standing outside oneself," this Greek term denotes a state of profound spiritual absorption or altered consciousness. It's not a normal mental state but a temporary suspension of one's ordinary sensory and rational faculties, allowing for direct, intense divine revelation. Similar to Peter's vision (Acts 10), it signifies direct divine intervention and serves as strong authentication for the message Paul was about to receive.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem": This phrase establishes a critical timeline and setting. It locates this profound spiritual experience in a specific, verifiable time and place in Paul's life following his conversion, linking it directly to the heart of Jewish tradition where he now faced persecution.
  • "even while I prayed in the temple": This provides the immediate spiritual and physical context for the trance. It emphasizes Paul's pious activity within a sacred space, implying that his subsequent revelation was not a personal delusion but a divinely granted encounter occurring during devout worship, further lending credibility to his testimony.
  • "I was in a trance": This succinct statement directly introduces the supernatural element of the event. It clarifies that Paul's experience was not a thought or an inner reflection, but an unmistakable divine manifestation that supernaturally captivated his mind for the purpose of communicating God's will.

Acts 22 17 Bonus section

The experience of ekstasis (trance) for divine revelation is a recurring motif in Scripture, observed in figures like Peter (Acts 10) and the prophets of the Old Testament (e.g., Daniel, Ezekiel). This signifies a universal method God uses to impart His will, cutting across different individuals and covenants. Paul's detailed recounting of this private moment within his public defense strategy aims to disarm his Jewish accusers by demonstrating that his actions were divinely mandated, occurring within their most sacred site and during a recognized spiritual practice. This highlights the challenge Paul faced in bridging the gap between Jewish tradition and the radical inclusiveness of the Gospel. The significance of this particular trance, as revealed in the subsequent verses (Acts 22:18-21), is the divine commission for Paul to leave Jerusalem and minister to the Gentiles, a call that directly addressed the primary contention he faced from the Jewish leaders.

Acts 22 17 Commentary

Acts 22:17 recounts a critical divine encounter experienced by Paul during a time of devout prayer in the Jerusalem Temple. This event, shared by Paul in his defense, served to authenticate his mission by establishing a direct, supernatural communication from God. The choice of the Temple as the location for this trance underscores a divine continuity and sanction for Paul's ministry within the very institution that rooted Jewish identity. This vision, preceding his public ministry to the Gentiles, provided him with a clear divine directive that bolstered his conviction and authority, particularly when facing skepticism and hostility from fellow Jews. It also showcased God's sovereign initiative in guiding Paul's path, emphasizing that his mission was not of human origin but divine command, initiated within a deeply reverent posture of prayer.