Acts 22 3

Acts 22:3 kjv

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Acts 22:3 nkjv

"I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.

Acts 22:3 niv

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

Acts 22:3 esv

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.

Acts 22:3 nlt

Then Paul said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.

Acts 22 verses

Acts 22 3 Meaning

In Acts 22:3, the Apostle Paul introduces himself to a hostile Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, establishing his impeccable Jewish credentials. He declares he is ethnically and religiously a Jew, though born in Tarsus of Cilicia, he received his core upbringing and rigorous education in Jerusalem. Paul emphasizes his training under the highly respected Rabbi Gamaliel and his meticulous adherence to the strict interpretation of their ancestral Law. He concludes by affirming that his fervent zeal for God was, and in some sense, still aligned with the intense devotion his listeners currently exhibited, acknowledging a shared, if misdirected, religious passion.

Acts 22 3 Context

Acts 22:3 occurs within a tense and dangerous situation in Jerusalem. Paul has just been seized by a furious Jewish mob near the Temple, who believe he has defiled the sacred precinct and taught against their Law. The Roman commander rescues him from being torn apart and, in response to Paul's request, permits him to address the crowd (Acts 21:30-40). Paul, standing on the steps leading to the Antonia Fortress, speaks to them in Aramaic (Acts 21:40), demonstrating respect and cultural familiarity.

This verse initiates Paul's powerful defense. Instead of directly confronting their accusations, he begins by establishing common ground. His primary rhetorical goal is to identify with his accusers as deeply and authentically Jewish, a man steeped in their traditions, to demonstrate that his eventual embrace of Christ was not an abandonment of his heritage but a divine revelation, thus lending credibility to his subsequent testimony of encountering the Risen Lord. He must first disarm them by proving he is not an outsider, but one of them, who shared their most deeply held convictions and fervent devotion.

Acts 22 3 Word analysis

• I am indeed a Jew (Ἐγώ εἰμι ἀνὴρ Ἰουδαῖος - Ego eimi anēr Ioudaios):

  • Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaios): Lit. "Judean." Signifies not just ethnic lineage (descendant of Judah or Israel) but also a distinct religious identity rooted in the covenant with Yahweh, observance of the Torah, and membership in the community of God's people. This statement is crucial for Paul to assert his heritage in a culture valuing ancestry and religious fidelity. He underscores he is unequivocally one of them, not a proselyte or Gentile.

• born in Tarsus of Cilicia (γεννημένος ἐν Ταρσῷ τῆς Κιλικίας - genēthēmenōn en Tarsō tēs Kilikias):

  • Ταρσῷ (Tarsō): Capital city of the Roman province of Cilicia, known for its intellectual pursuits, Stoic philosophy, and a large Jewish population. It was a "free city" granting Roman citizenship by birth to many inhabitants, a status Paul inherited (Acts 22:28). While the birthplace indicates a connection to the Diaspora, Paul quickly contrasts this with his upbringing to demonstrate his strong ties to Jerusalem and orthodox Judaism, countering any assumption of being Hellenized.
  • Κιλικίας (Kilikias): The Roman province, indicating the broader geographical context of Tarsus.

• but brought up in this city (ἀνατεθραμμένος δὲ ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ - anatethrammenos de en tē polei tautē):

  • ἀνατεθραμμένος (anatethrammenos): Perfect passive participle of anatrephō, meaning "to raise up," "bring up," "nourish," or "educate thoroughly." This implies a comprehensive, formative education and nurture in Jerusalem, stressing a full and proper Jewish upbringing beyond merely being born Jewish.
  • ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ (en tē polei tautē): "In this very city" – unequivocally Jerusalem. This directly links his education and character formation to the spiritual and cultural heart of Judaism, distancing him from a potentially lesser, Diaspora-based religious education.

• at the feet of Gamaliel (παρὰ τοὺς πόδας Γαμαλιὴλ - para tous podas Gamaliēl):

  • παρὰ τοὺς πόδας (para tous podas): Literally "beside the feet," a common ancient idiom signifying discipleship, showing respect, and being a student learning directly from a teacher. Disciples sat at the feet of their master.
  • Γαμαλιὴλ (Gamaliēl): Gamaliel I, a highly esteemed Pharisaic rabbi, grandson of Hillel the Elder, mentioned in Acts 5:34 as a wise and respected leader within the Sanhedrin. Being a student of Gamaliel would have marked Paul as having received the highest level of traditional Jewish learning available in his time, from the most prominent authority. This immediately elevates Paul's credibility in the eyes of his listeners.

• taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law (πεπαιδευμένος κατὰ ἀκρίβειαν τοῦ πατρῴου νόμου - pepaideumenos kata akribeian tou patrōou nomou):

  • πεπαιδευμένος (pepaideumenos): Perfect passive participle of paideuō, meaning "to train," "discipline," "instruct," or "educate." Reinforces the thorough and systematic nature of his rabbinic training, particularly in the Law.
  • κατὰ ἀκρίβειαν (kata akribeian): "According to the exactness," "strictness," or "precision." This emphasizes meticulous and rigorous adherence to the Law, typical of the Pharisees who sought to obey every detail, including the oral traditions (halakha) alongside the written Torah. This confirms Paul was an orthodox, committed Pharisee.
  • τοῦ πατρῴου νόμου (tou patrōou nomou): "The ancestral Law," or "Law of our fathers." Refers to the Torah (the first five books of Moses) and the authoritative oral traditions and interpretations handed down through generations, cherished as the heritage of the Jewish people. This shared reference fosters unity with his audience.

• and was zealous toward God as you all are today (ζηλωτὴς ὑπάρχων τοῦ Θεοῦ, καθὼς πάντες ὑμεῖς ἐστε σήμερον - zēlōtēs hyparchōn tou Theou, kathōs pantes hymeis este sēmeron):

  • ζηλωτὴς (zēlōtēs): "A zealous person," "zealot." Denotes intense passion, fervent devotion, and often a competitive eagerness for a cause or belief. Paul openly admits he was characterized by such zeal. In a Jewish context, zeal was considered a virtue when directed towards God, his Law, and the protection of Israel.
  • τοῦ Θεοῦ (tou Theou): "For God." Paul clarifies that his zeal was ultimately directed towards God, not just a system.
  • καθὼς πάντες ὑμεῖς ἐστε σήμερον (kathōs pantes hymeis este sēmeron): "Just as you all are today." Paul directly connects his past fervent passion with the present fervent passion of his angry audience, forming a bridge of shared experience and emotion. He implies, "I once felt and acted just as you are feeling and acting now." This powerful statement shows empathy while subtly setting the stage for his explanation of why his zeal now looks different. It hints that their current zealous persecution stems from the same deep-seated commitment that once animated him.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus... but brought up in this city": Paul masterfully contrasts his geographical birth (Tarsus, a cosmopolitan Roman city) with his formative education in Jerusalem. This conveys both a sophisticated background (implied Roman citizenship, Acts 22:28) and, more importantly, an indisputably orthodox Jewish identity rooted in the very heart of Judaism, disarming the notion he was merely a Hellenized Jew distant from their traditions.
  • "at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law": This phrase functions as a resume of rabbinic education. It not only signifies high academic achievement under the most celebrated teacher of his generation but also denotes unwavering commitment to Pharisaic interpretation of the Law. It emphasizes meticulous study and practice, establishing Paul's supreme credentials in traditional Judaism.
  • "and was zealous toward God as you all are today": This concluding phrase is a rhetorical stroke of genius. Paul uses shared intense religious fervor to establish solidarity with the crowd, who are currently demonstrating their "zeal" against him. By acknowledging this common trait, Paul validates their strong emotions while positioning himself as one who genuinely understood their perspective and motivations because he once shared them fully, setting up his dramatic turn of events as not a betrayal, but a divine redirection of that very zeal.

Acts 22 3 Bonus section

The mention of Gamaliel (grandson of Hillel the Elder) immediately evokes an image of highly respected, moderate rabbinic authority, as seen in Acts 5:34-39 where Gamaliel wisely advises the Sanhedrin against persecuting the apostles without proper discernment, saying, "if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them." Paul’s training under such a figure not only demonstrates his rigorous education but subtly implies a grounding in a tradition of reasoned consideration, contrasting with the current irrational rage of the mob. Paul was trained by someone known for restraint and discernment, making his prior actions as a persecutor even more striking in terms of zealous overreach, a zeal that exceeded even his esteemed teacher's typical counsel. This subtly strengthens the argument for a divine intervention being the only thing powerful enough to re-direct such a thoroughly educated and ardently zealous individual.

Acts 22 3 Commentary

Acts 22:3 serves as Paul's opening gambit in his defense before a volatile Jewish mob. It's a strategic rhetorical move designed to establish immediate credibility and common ground. Paul, far from being a Gentile sympathizer or an ignorant defiler of their faith, presents himself as the quintessential Jew: not just ethnically, but rigorously trained. His claim to have studied "at the feet of Gamaliel" was equivalent to saying he had attended the most prestigious theological seminary of his time under its most esteemed professor. This signified not only vast knowledge but also an unwavering commitment to the oral traditions (Halakha) that characterized Pharisaism. His declaration of being "zealous toward God" – to the same degree as his furious accusers – functions as a masterstroke. He shared their passion, their commitment to the Law, and crucially, their fervor to protect Judaism from what they perceived as threats. This isn't just an historical detail; it's a profound statement of empathy and self-identification, demonstrating that his subsequent radical shift was not due to ignorance or lack of piety, but rather a result of an encounter with the divine. It set the stage for Paul to explain how his intense zeal, once directed against Christ's followers, was redirected by Christ Himself, yet remaining a zeal for God.

• Example for Practical Usage:
  • Bridge Building: Before presenting a controversial truth, seek to establish common values or experiences. "I understand your concern for the community's well-being, as I share that very concern..."
  • Credibility: When explaining a change in belief or life path, starting with your deep prior engagement with the "old way" can demonstrate genuine conviction rather than mere rebellion.
  • Understanding Misplaced Zeal: Recognizing that intense religious or moral fervor, even when misdirected, often stems from a deep, albeit mistaken, love for God or what is perceived as righteous. This helps in understanding and witnessing to others with grace.