Acts 22 20

Acts 22:20 kjv

And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

Acts 22:20 nkjv

And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.'

Acts 22:20 niv

And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.'

Acts 22:20 esv

And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.'

Acts 22:20 nlt

And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.'

Acts 22 verses

Acts 22 20 Meaning

This verse is Paul's poignant confession before a Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, recalling his active complicity in the martyrdom of Stephen. He admits to not only being present but also approving ("consenting") of Stephen's execution and actively facilitating it by guarding the outer garments of those who stoned him. It underscores his former fervent zeal against followers of Jesus and serves as a backdrop to his own dramatic transformation by divine grace.

Acts 22 20 Context

Paul's address in Acts 22 takes place amidst intense turmoil in Jerusalem. He had been seized in the Temple courts by a furious Jewish crowd (Acts 21:27ff) who accused him of defiling the Temple and teaching against the Law. To address the agitated mob, Paul speaks in Aramaic (the common language of Jerusalem), aiming to establish a connection with his hearers. He recounts his Jewish heritage, his training under Gamaliel, and crucially, his former fervent zeal for Judaism, which included persecuting followers of Jesus (Acts 22:1-5). Verse 20 is part of this personal testimony, illustrating the depth of his commitment to his pre-Christian beliefs and providing a vivid account of his hostile involvement in Stephen's death. This confession serves to highlight that he was "one of them" in his religious fervor, before pivoting to explain his radical transformation and subsequent mission to the Gentiles. This carefully constructed narrative aims to connect with his audience, justify his past actions from their perspective, and then explain his dramatic change of heart and mission. Historically, stoning was the judicial method of execution for serious offenses like blasphemy; witnesses were required to cast the first stones, often removing their outer garments for ease, a detail crucial to understanding Paul's role.

Acts 22 20 Word analysis

• And when: (Καὶ ὅτε - Kai hote) Connects Paul's past actions directly to his earlier confession of persecuting "this Way." It signifies a specific moment in time.
• the blood: (τὸ αἷμα - to haima) Represents life itself, often denoting violent death or martyrdom in the New Testament. It evokes sacrificial imagery, highlighting the unjust taking of Stephen's life.
• of Stephen: (Στεφάνου - Stephánou) Refers to the first Christian martyr, whose story is detailed in Acts 6-7. His name, meaning "crown," is prophetically symbolic of the martyr's reward.
• your witness: (τοῦ μάρτυρος ὑμῶν - tou martyrōs hymōn) Martyros originally meant "witness," but by this time often carried the connotation of one who seals their testimony with their life. Paul uses "your" not in ownership, but to associate Stephen with his Jewish heritage and emphasize that the audience, or their zealous predecessors, killed a fellow Jew who witnessed to God.
• was shed: (ἐξεχύθη - exechythē) A passive verb, meaning "was poured out" or "shed forth." It emphasizes the violence and the tragic loss of life, further evoking a sacrificial connotation.
• I also: (κἀγὼ - kagō) An emphatic "and I." It powerfully contrasts his present standing with his past actions, highlighting his personal, direct, and culpable involvement.
• was standing by: (ἤμην παρών - ēmēn parōn) Imperfect tense, suggesting continuous presence or a state of being present. It implies more than passive observation; he was physically and, implicitly, spiritually aligned with the action.
• and consenting: (καὶ συνευδοκῶν - kai syneudokōn) From syneudokeō, meaning "to consent together with," "to approve," "to be well pleased with." This is critical, showing not mere physical presence but a deep internal approval and agreement with Stephen's execution.
• unto his death: (τῇ ἀναιρέσει αὐτοῦ - tē anairesei autou) Anairesei means "murder" or "violent taking of life." This emphasizes the premeditated and violent nature of Stephen's execution.
• and kept: (καὶ φυλάσσων - kai phylassōn) A participle indicating a continuous action. It means "to guard," "to watch over," or "to keep." This was an active, facilitative role during the stoning.
• the raiment: (τὰ ἱμάτια - ta himatia) Refers to the outer garments or cloaks that those performing a stoning would typically remove to allow for freer movement.
• of them that slew him: (τῶν ἀναιρούντων αὐτόν - tōn anairountōn auton) Literally, "of those killing him." Identifies the direct perpetrators, solidifying Paul's facilitating role to those individuals.

Words-group analysis

• "the blood of Stephen your witness was shed": This phrase directly identifies the victim and the manner of death, placing emphasis on Stephen's role as a martys ("witness") and provocatively connecting his Jewish audience to the act through "your witness." It is a confrontational statement of a truth known to many in the crowd.
• "I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him": This entire section vividly describes Paul's three-fold complicity. "Standing by" shows his physical presence and support. "Consenting unto his death" reveals his intellectual and moral approval. "Kept the raiment" depicts his active, practical involvement in facilitating the stoning, functioning as a supervisor or an official attendant to the executioners. This comprehensive confession leaves no doubt about his deep culpability.

Acts 22 20 Bonus section

Paul's precise use of "your witness" (τοῦ μάρτυρος ὑμῶν) might carry a nuanced, even polemical, undertone. While ostensibly identifying Stephen as a Jewish figure killed by fellow Jews, it also subtly challenges the crowd's rejection, implying that Stephen was indeed a faithful witness for God, a truth that Paul, post-conversion, recognized, even if the crowd did not. This layered meaning makes Paul's confession even more profound. The detailed confession of guarding the cloaks not only emphasizes Paul's full commitment to the stoning but also hints at a position of authority or responsibility within the mob action (cf. Acts 7:58), suggesting he was not merely a bystander but a key figure in facilitating the execution. This extreme example of his past life perfectly sets the stage for the dramatic revelation of his Damascus Road encounter, magnifying the radical shift in his allegiance and calling.

Acts 22 20 Commentary

Acts 22:20 is a powerful, self-incriminating admission by Paul, intentionally crafted within his defense to the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. It underscores the profound paradox of his past – from zealous persecutor to fervent apostle of Christ. By detailing his involvement in Stephen's stoning – not just passively observing but actively consenting and safeguarding the executioners' garments – Paul vividly illustrates the depths of his opposition to early Christianity. This confession served multiple purposes: it established his undeniable past shared with the very zealots now attacking him, setting the stage for his radical conversion story; it highlighted the enormity of God's grace that could transform such an antagonist; and it preemptively addressed any doubt about his commitment to his former beliefs before presenting his divinely appointed mission to the Gentiles, a message guaranteed to incense them further. Paul leverages his darkest past to illuminate the brilliance of Christ's transforming power.