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

This verse describes Paul's experience of falling into a trance or ecstasy, during which he saw the Lord and was instructed to leave Jerusalem. The trance signifies a profound spiritual encounter, allowing direct communion with Christ, superseding his immediate physical circumstances and intentions. It highlights divine guidance intervening in apostolic ministry, directing Paul away from immediate danger and towards his broader mission.

Acts 22 17 Context

This verse occurs within Paul's defense speech before the Jerusalem crowd, recorded in Acts chapters 21-23. He recounts his life story and ministry, aiming to demonstrate his adherence to Jewish law and his devotion to God. Specifically, in chapter 22, Paul has just recounted his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. He then transitions to explaining further divine revelations that shaped his ministry, particularly his call to preach to the Gentiles. The crowd's volatile reaction to his mention of Gentiles fuels the ongoing tension and forms the immediate backdrop for this verse. This supernatural visitation by the Lord in a trance highlights a key moment that redirected Paul's mission, explaining his divergence from what the crowd expected or understood of his calling.

Acts 22 17 Word Analysis

• δὲ (de): And, but. A common conjunction indicating a transition or contrast.
• ἐγενόμην (egenomēn): I became, I happened. First-person singular aorist middle indicative of γίνομαι (ginomai), meaning "to become," "to happen," "to be." It emphasizes the occurrence of an event in time.
• ἐν τῇ προσευχῇ (en tē proseuchē): In prayer.
  • ἐν (en): In, at, with. A preposition indicating location or circumstance.
  • τῇ (tē): The (feminine dative singular definite article).
  • προσευχῇ (proseuchē): Prayer. From προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai), to pray. Refers to the act of prayer.
• ἐν ἐκστάσει (en ekstasei): In a trance, out of oneself.
  • ἐν (en): In.
  • ἐκστάσει (ekstasei): Trance, ecstasy, amazement. Dative singular of ἔκστασις (ekstasis), from ἐξίστημι (existēmi), "to displace," "to astound." This word implies being drawn out of one's normal state of consciousness, often for a divine revelation. It denotes a state of astonishment or rapture.
• καὶ (kai): And. A conjunction linking clauses or words.
• εἶδον (eidon): I saw. First-person singular aorist active indicative of ὁράω (horaō), "to see." Signifies a direct visual perception.
• τὸν Κύριον (ton Kyrion): The Lord.
  • τὸν (ton): The (masculine accusative singular definite article).
  • Κύριον (Kyrion): Lord. Accusative singular of Κύριος (Kyrios), a title of respect and authority, commonly used for God the Father or Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
• λέγοντα (legonta): Saying. Accusative singular masculine present active participle of λέγω (legō), "to say." It describes Jesus actively speaking during the vision.
• πρός με (pros me): To me.
  • πρός (pros): To, towards, with. A preposition indicating direction.
  • με (me): Me (accusative singular first-person pronoun).
• τάχυνον (tachynon): Make haste, hurry. Aorist active imperative middle voice of ταχύνω (tachynō), "to make haste," "to speed." It's a command for urgent departure.
• καὶ ἔξελθε (kai exelthe): And get out, and leave.
  • καὶ (kai): And.
  • ἔξελθε (exelthe): Go out, come out, depart. Aorist active imperative second-person singular of ἐξέρχομαι (exerchomai), "to go out," "to depart." A command to leave the place.
• ἐξ αὐτῆς (ex autēs): From it, from her.
  • ἐξ (ex): From, out of. Preposition indicating origin or separation.
  • αὐτῆς (autēs): Her (genitive singular feminine demonstrative pronoun, referring to Jerusalem).
• τῆς Ἱερουσαλήμ (tēs Ierousalēm): Jerusalem. Genitive singular feminine of Ἱερουσαλήμ (Ierousalēm), Jerusalem. Indicates the place from which Paul is to depart.
• ὅτι (hoti): Because, that. A conjunction introducing a clause explaining the reason.
• ταχέως (tacheōs): Quickly, soon. Adverb of manner or time.
• διαμαρτύρησῃ (diamartyrēsē): You will testify, you will bear witness. Future active subjunctive second-person singular of διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartyromai), "to testify earnestly," "to bear witness." Indicates the purpose of his life and ministry.
• μοι (moi): To me, for me. Dative singular first-person pronoun, indicating the recipient of the testimony.
• τὰ περὶ ἐμοῦ (ta peri emou): Concerning me, about me.
  • τὰ (ta): The things (neuter plural definite article, used substantively).
  • περὶ (peri): About, concerning, concerning. Preposition.
  • ἐμοῦ (emou): Me (genitive singular first-person pronoun).

Word Groups:

• "ἐν ἐκστάσει": This phrase is key. It's not just seeing a vision, but a supernatural state of being. It's a state where the usual sensory inputs and rational faculties are suspended to receive divine information directly. Similar to ecstatic states or visions described in scripture, but divinely authorized.
• "τάχυνον καὶ ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτῆς": A direct, urgent command from the Lord. The imperative mood emphasizes the immediate need for action and departure. "From Jerusalem" sets a specific geographical boundary for this divine instruction.
• "διαμαρτύρησῃ ... τὰ περὶ ἐμοῦ": This states the purpose of Paul's mission. It's not about escaping danger for his own sake, but about fulfilling his divine commission to testify about Christ, which the Lord intends to expand from Jerusalem to other places.

Acts 22 17 Bonus Section

The use of "trance" or "ecstasy" (ἔκστασις) in the New Testament is often associated with significant divine revelations. Peter’s trance in Acts 10, where he received the vision to preach to Gentiles, and John’s vision on Patmos, are examples where the veil between the earthly and divine realms was temporarily lifted. Paul's experience here falls into this pattern, showing God actively intervening to guide His servants, especially in pivotal moments of ministry.

The urgency conveyed by "hurry and leave quickly" might seem to suggest fear or retreat. However, within the context of apostolic ministry, such divine instructions were part of strategic evangelism. Paul had already faced significant opposition in Jerusalem and knew the gravity of his testimony there was reaching a breaking point. Christ's directive to leave facilitated the spread of the Gospel to wider audiences, as evidenced by Paul's extensive work in Asia Minor and Europe. This experience illustrates that obeying God sometimes involves strategic movement, not necessarily avoiding hardship but ensuring the testimony of Christ reaches its appointed destinations.

Acts 22 17 Commentary

Paul’s assertion that he saw the Lord while in a trance in Jerusalem is crucial for his defense. It establishes that his ministry, especially his Gentile mission, was not a personal initiative but a direct commandment from Christ Himself. The trance, described as 'ekstasis' (ἔκστασις), signifies a supernatural removal from normal awareness, enabling direct divine communication. This contrasts with a mere mental reflection; it’s a God-initiated encounter.

The imperative "Hurry and leave Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me" underscores the immediate danger Paul was in, yet it frames this departure not as an escape but as a redirection ordered by Christ for a greater purpose: to testify elsewhere. This vision validates his mission beyond Jerusalem, where his message had become a catalyst for mob violence. The Lord's words confirm that testimony about Him is ongoing ("you will testify about me"), but its location and urgency are divinely managed. This supernatural intervention serves to underscore Paul's obedience to Christ, even when it meant leaving a place of immediate conflict for a broader evangelistic mandate.