Acts 26:9 kjv
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Acts 26:9 nkjv
"Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Acts 26:9 niv
"I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Acts 26:9 esv
"I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Acts 26:9 nlt
"I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.
Acts 26 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 26:9 | I formerly acted with hostile intent against the name of Jesus the Nazarene. | Acts 26:9 |
| Acts 8:3 | But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. | Acts 8:3 |
| Acts 9:1 | Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest | Acts 9:1 |
| Acts 9:13 | But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints at Jerusalem, | Acts 9:13 |
| Acts 22:4 | I persecuted this way to the death, buying and binding both men and women. | Acts 22:4 |
| Acts 22:20 | And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him. | Acts 22:20 |
| Phil 3:6 | as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness under the law, blameless. | Phil 3:6 |
| 1 Cor 15:9 | For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. | 1 Cor 15:9 |
| Gal 1:13 | For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. | Gal 1:13 |
| 1 Tim 1:13 | though formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief. | 1 Tim 1:13 |
| Titus 3:3 | For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. | Titus 3:3 |
| Matt 10:22 | You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. | Matt 10:22 |
| John 15:18 | If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. | John 15:18 |
| John 16:2 | They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. | John 16:2 |
| 1 Cor 1:18 | For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. | 1 Cor 1:18 |
| Rom 1:23 | and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. | Rom 1:23 |
| 2 Cor 4:3 | And if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. | 2 Cor 4:3 |
| Gal 4:29 | But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the child born by the Spirit, so also it is now. | Gal 4:29 |
| Eph 2:3 | by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. | Eph 2:3 |
| 1 Thess 2:16 | by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved. So as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at its furthest. | 1 Thess 2:16 |
Acts 26 verses
Acts 26 9 Meaning
Paul, addressing King Agrippa, expresses his former zeal for the traditions of Judaism, admitting he once believed it was his duty to oppose Jesus and his followers.
Acts 26 9 Context
This verse occurs within Paul's defense before King Agrippa, Bernice, Festus, and other officials in Caesarea. Paul is recounting his life story, emphasizing his conversion from a zealous Pharisee and persecutor of Christians to an apostle of Jesus Christ. His aim is to demonstrate the validity of his faith and mission, appealing to Agrippa's knowledge of Jewish customs and beliefs. He uses his past actions to highlight the dramatic transformation brought about by his encounter with the resurrected Jesus, showing that his current preaching is a direct result of divine intervention.
Acts 26 9 Word analysis
I (ego): The personal pronoun, emphasizing Paul's individual testimony.
formerly (palaiphēn): Previously, in a past time.
acted (sumpephero): To bring together, to drive on, to carry forward, often with a sense of being compelled. In this context, it implies being carried along or acting under a strong impulse or delusion.
with hostile intent (enantiōn tēs onomatos tou Iēsou tou Nazēraiou): Literally "against the name of Jesus the Nazarene." This signifies not just disagreement, but active opposition and antagonism towards the person and reputation of Jesus and His followers. The "name" in ancient Semitic thought represented the very essence or person of someone.
Jesus (Iēsous): The Greek form of the Hebrew Yeshua, meaning "Yahweh saves."
the Nazarene (tou Nazēraiou): A designation referring to Jesus' origin from Nazareth, often used in a derogatory way by His opponents.
Nazarene: Referring to Jesus of Nazareth. The term might have been used derisively by those who doubted His messianic claims.
word-group analysis: "acted with hostile intent against the name of Jesus the Nazarene" encapsulates Paul's zealous, yet misguided, efforts to suppress the early Christian movement, viewing it as a threat to Judaism.
Acts 26 9 Bonus section
Paul's statement underscores a common pattern where individuals, out of sincere religious conviction based on inherited traditions, can become fervent opponents of what God is doing. His journey illustrates that true righteousness and obedience are not necessarily found in adhering strictly to external religious laws or traditions, but in alignment with the revealed truth of Jesus Christ, even if that means departing from former practices. This is a powerful testament to the efficacy of divine intervention in changing hearts and minds, turning enemies into devoted servants.
Acts 26 9 Commentary
Paul here frankly admits his aggressive stance against Christianity in his pre-conversion days. He didn't just disagree; he actively worked to destroy the early church. His opposition was directed not merely at individuals but at the very identity ("name") and origin ("Nazarene") of Jesus, reflecting a profound misunderstanding and rejection of Jesus' claims and followers. This self-incriminating admission serves to magnify the power of God's grace and the transformative nature of his conversion experience.