Acts 26 10

Acts 26:10 kjv

Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

Acts 26:10 nkjv

This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

Acts 26:10 niv

And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord's people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

Acts 26:10 esv

And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.

Acts 26:10 nlt

Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death.

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 10 Meaning

Paul states he cast his vote for the execution of Christians. This reflects his previous zealous, yet misguided, pursuit of persecuting the early church, acting according to his understanding of divine will. His inclusion of this stark personal admission underscores the depth of his transformation and the magnitude of God's grace.

Acts 26 10 Context

In Acts chapter 26, Paul is before King Agrippa II and Governor Festus. He is recounting his life story, particularly his conversion on the road to Damascus. This verse is part of his detailed explanation of his actions against the early followers of Jesus, bridging his former life as a persecutor with his present role as an apostle. He's trying to demonstrate the authenticity of his conversion and the sincerity of his faith to Agrippa, who is somewhat familiar with Christianity through his consort, Bernice, and Jewish customs.

Acts 26 10 Word analysis

• Ego (Greek: ἐγώ, egō) - First person singular pronoun, meaning "I". Emphasizes personal testimony and direct involvement.
• cheirotonew (Greek: χειροτονέω, cheirotoneō) - Literally "to stretch out the hand," commonly used to mean "to vote" or "to appoint by show of hands." In this context, it indicates his active participation and approval in condemning Christians.
• psēphon (Greek: ψῆφον, psēphon) - Singular of psēphos, meaning "pebble" or "voting pebble." Used idiomatically here to represent a vote, specifically a negative or condemnatory one, as often seen in ancient legal and civic processes.
• didonai (Greek: διδόναι, didonai) - "to give." Here, "to give my vote."
• mallon (Greek: μᾶλλον, mallon) - "rather," "more," "all the more." It signifies a greater degree or an intensification, highlighting his enthusiastic and thorough participation in the persecution.
• ēphelion (Greek: ἐφελίων, ephelion) - "against" or "in addition to." Can also imply "on behalf of." Here, it implies concurrence or active opposition to the accused Christians.
• Thanaton (Greek: θανάτου, thanatou) - Genitive case of thanatos, meaning "death." Specifically, "a sentence of death."
• Oida (Greek: οἶδα, oida) - "I know," "I am aware of." Paul asserts his direct knowledge of these events and his deliberate participation.
• katergastephos (Greek: κατεργασthos, k katergastes) - This appears to be a typographical error or misunderstanding as 'katergastēphos' isn't a standard Greek word. It might be a corrupted form of katergazomai (κατεργάζομαι), meaning "to work out," "accomplish," or "perpetrate." Assuming this correction, Paul is stating he "accomplished" or "perpetrated" the condemnation to death.
• emou (Greek: ἐμοῦ, emou) - "from me" or "of me." Genitive of ego, further emphasizing his personal involvement and agency.

Word Group Analysis:

• Ego cheirotonōn eph' (Greek: ἐγὼ χειροτονῶν ἐφ' , egō cheirotonōn eph') - "I, when I voted in opposition." This phrase directly links Paul to the act of casting a deciding or approving vote in the condemnation of believers.
• Mallon de kai thänaton didonai (Greek: μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ θάνατον διδόναι, mallon de kai thanaton didonai) - "and furthermore I gave my vote for death." This amplifies his previous statement, indicating not just participation but a vote specifically for a death sentence.
• Oida panta prosēkon Ouk ontos (Greek: οἶδα πάντα προσῆκον οὐκ ὄντως, oida panta prosēkon ouk ontos) - This part appears to be corrupted or a misunderstanding. A more accurate rendering related to Paul's known testimonies might involve phrases like "I knew what I was doing" or "I acted with zeal." The essence, however, is Paul acknowledging his actions were done deliberately, with full knowledge of their consequence. (The closest accurate Greek phrase implying his former deliberate action would be more along the lines of oida hoti ouk epistamai - "I know that I did not understand," but this doesn't fit the meaning of deliberate action here. The overall context points to conscious action). If interpreted as "I know all that pertains to my having acted with my own volition," it aligns with the context. The corruption might be due to misinterpretation of an idiom or speech impediment reconstruction.
• Katergastheos emou (Greek: κατεργασth eos ἐμοῦ, katergasth eos emou) - Again likely a corruption, but assuming the intent relates to "perpetrating through me" or "my doing." It conveys his active role in causing their condemnation.

Acts 26 10 Bonus Section

Paul's willingness to openly declare his former hostility towards the church and his participation in the execution of Christians was crucial for his credibility. It demonstrated that his conversion was genuine and not a mere political maneuver. By acknowledging his intense, misguided zeal, he implicitly contrasted it with the true zeal that is rooted in love and knowledge of Christ, a zeal he now embodied and preached. This also serves as a powerful encouragement to other believers, showing that no one is beyond God's reach or restorative power. It highlights that genuine repentance leads to a transformation where past sins become a platform to exalt God’s grace.

Acts 26 10 Commentary

Paul’s admission is powerful. He wasn’t passively observing; he was actively participating, casting his vote for death sentences against fellow humans. The word cheirotonō vividly portrays a decisive hand raised, agreeing with the judgment. The addition of mallon (more) suggests his zeal pushed him beyond mere agreement to actively supporting the most severe outcome. This deep personal accountability underscores his profound realization of sin and the incredible depth of Christ’s mercy that transformed such a zealous persecutor into the chief apostle to the Gentiles. His past was not hidden but revealed, a testament to the Gospel's power to redeem even the most fervent opposers.