Acts 26 11

Acts 26:11 kjv

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Acts 26:11 nkjv

And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Acts 26:11 niv

Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

Acts 26:11 esv

And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Acts 26:11 nlt

Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 11 Meaning

Acts 26:11 describes the intensity and geographical extent of Paul's (Saul's) pre-conversion persecution of Christians. It reveals his fervent zeal to compel believers to deny Jesus as Messiah by making them utter blasphemous statements, which he pursued with extreme fury across various Jewish communities and beyond their traditional borders. This verse serves as a stark testament to the depth of his opposition before his transformative encounter with Christ.

Acts 26 11 Context

Acts 26:11 is part of Paul's eloquent defense before King Agrippa II, Festus, and Bernice. In this section (Acts 26:4-23), Paul recounts his early life as a devout Pharisee, his zealous persecution of early Christians (followers of "the Way"), and his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. His purpose is to explain why he, a former zealous Jew, now preaches Jesus as the Messiah, emphasizing that his current actions are a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and a direct result of God's calling. The verse specifically details the cruel and far-reaching measures he took to eradicate the nascent Christian movement, showing the depth of his former conviction against Jesus. He portrays himself not as a mere observer but as a fervent, active, and relentless persecutor driven by sincere (though misguided) religious zeal. This historical context highlights the deep-seated opposition Christianity faced from within Judaism during its early stages.

Acts 26 11 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple connective, joining this statement to the previous ones (v.10), indicating a continuation and expansion of Paul's actions against believers.
• I punished (ἠνάγκαζον - ēnagkazon): From ἀναγκάζω (anagkazō), meaning "to compel," "to force," "to make one do something," often by duress, constraint, or punishment. The imperfect tense here indicates a repeated or continuous action. It wasn't a singular event but an ongoing policy of coercion. This was likely administered by local synagogue courts (cf. Matt 10:17).
• them (αὐτοὺς - autous): Refers to the followers of "the Way," the Christians, both men and women, as mentioned in Acts 22:4.
• often (πολλάκις - pollakis): Emphasizes the frequency and consistency of his persecutory activities, underscoring his tireless dedication to suppressing Christianity.
• in every synagogue (κατὰ πᾶσαν συναγωγήν - kata pasan synagogēn): Shows the systematic, widespread, and organized nature of his efforts. Synagogues served as both religious centers and local judicial courts for Jewish communities, allowing Paul to wield significant influence and execute his policies officially. This signifies a geographic reach beyond Jerusalem.
• and tried to make them blaspheme (ἠνάγκαζον βλασφημεῖν - ēnagkazon blasphemein): This is a critical detail. Blasphemein (βλασφημεῖν) means to speak irreverently, contemptuously, or maliciously against God or sacred things. Here, it specifically means forcing Christians to curse or renounce Christ, which from Paul's pre-conversion perspective, would have been seen as denouncing a false messiah, while for Christians, it was a denial of faith and apostasy. It was a core test of allegiance.
• and being furiously enraged at them (ἐμμαίνων αὐτοῖς - emmainōn autois): From ἐμμαίνομαι (emmainomai), a strong verb meaning "to be in a frenzy," "to act madly against," "to rage." This describes his extreme emotional state, driven by intense hatred and misguided zeal. It speaks of a consuming fury, not just simple anger, highlighting his profound ideological opposition to Jesus and His followers.
• I persecuted them (ἐδίωκον - ediōkon): From διώκω (diōkō), meaning "to pursue," "to chase," "to harass," or "to persecute." This general term for persecution encompasses various forms of harassment and oppression, including judicial and physical. The imperfect tense indicates continuous pursuit.
• even to foreign cities (ἕως καὶ εἰς τὰς ἔξω πόλεις - heōs kai eis tas exō poleis): Signifies the extreme geographical scope of Paul's efforts. His relentless pursuit extended beyond the traditional Jewish territories of Judea and Galilee into Gentile-controlled areas where Jewish communities existed, such as Damascus (Acts 9). This demonstrates his absolute commitment to his cause and the seriousness with which he viewed the Christian movement.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• I punished them often in every synagogue: This phrase paints a picture of systemic, widespread, and recurring persecution, utilizing the existing judicial and social structures of the Jewish community. Paul was not a lone extremist but an agent operating within an established system.
• and tried to make them blaspheme: This reveals the core objective of his persecution: to destroy faith by forcing public renunciation of Christ. It was an assault on their spiritual allegiance and identity, much like demanding emperor worship from early Christians in Rome.
• and being furiously enraged at them: This personalizes Paul's actions, demonstrating his deep-seated hostility and passion. It shows he was driven by intense conviction and emotion, not merely carrying out orders.
• I persecuted them even to foreign cities: This emphasizes the boundless nature of his zeal, extending his campaign of terror far beyond local boundaries, showcasing the relentless and exhaustive nature of his former life.

Acts 26 11 Bonus section

• Paul's testimony in this verse provides crucial insight into the earliest methods of religious persecution faced by Christians, particularly from Jewish authorities. The use of synagogues as places for administering punishment, including scourging, and attempting to compel denial was a well-established pattern.
• The phrase "make them blaspheme" parallels later Roman methods of persecuting Christians, where they were often given the choice to curse Christ or offer incense to the emperor's image to prove their loyalty. This indicates a consistent strategy across different cultural and religious contexts for demanding allegiance.
• The account underscores the theme of zeal. Paul’s life, both before and after his conversion, was marked by extraordinary zeal, but directed towards entirely opposite ends. Previously, it was a zeal "for the traditions of my fathers" (Gal 1:14) against Christ; afterwards, it became a consuming zeal for Christ.
• This verse contributes to understanding the sheer strength of conviction early believers needed. To endure repeated punishment and threats, yet refuse to blaspheme, required immense faith and steadfastness, showcasing the genuine transformation Christ brought.

Acts 26 11 Commentary

Acts 26:11 lays bare the uncompromising and violent zeal of Saul (Paul) before his conversion. He was not merely passively disapproving but actively engaged in systematic, intense, and geographically far-reaching persecution. His actions stemmed from a deep-seated belief that followers of Christ were heretics threatening Judaism. The pursuit in "every synagogue" highlights the structured nature of his campaign, using established religious courts to punish. Crucially, his objective was to make them "blaspheme," a powerful word indicating a demand to publicly denounce Jesus as Lord and Messiah. This was an attempt to dismantle their faith and compel apostasy. His "furious rage" underscores the personal hatred and passion driving his mission. Extending his reach "even to foreign cities" demonstrates his boundless dedication, portraying him as a relentless adversary. This vivid self-description is not only an honest confession of his past sins but also magnifies the grace of God in transforming such a fervent opponent into His most prominent apostle. It establishes the magnitude of God's redemptive power and serves to legitimize Paul's subsequent witness, as only a divine encounter could explain such a radical shift.