Acts 22:1-23

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Acts 22:1-23

1“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”
2When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared,
3“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today.
4I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison,
5as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
6About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.
7I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’
8‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.
9My companions saw the light, but they could not understand the voice of the One speaking to me.
10Then I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘Get up and go into Damascus,’ He told me. ‘There you will be told all that you have been appointed to do.’
11Because the brilliance of the light had blinded me, my companions led me by the hand into Damascus.
12There a man named Ananias, a devout observer of the law who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there,
13came and stood beside me. ‘Brother Saul,’ he said, ‘receive your sight.’ And at that moment I could see him.
14Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear His voice.
15You will be His witness to everyone of what you have seen and heard.
16And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’
17Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance
18and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’
19‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You.
20And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
21Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
22The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”
23As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,
— Acts 22:1-23

Related Resources from Heartlight

Changing Paul's Mission
Devo: Unstoppable!

"[Emphasizing what Jesus called him to do after his conversion, Paul continued his defense to the Jewish attackers who thought he took a Gentile into...."

Persecuting the Church Is Persecuting Jesus
Devo: Unstoppable!

"[Paul continued his defense before the hostile crowd in Jerusalem:] "As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from...."

Awakening Paul to Jesus' Call on His Life
Devo: Unstoppable!

"[As Paul recounted his conversion to Jesus as Messiah and Lord, he shared these words:] "Then [Ananias] told me, 'The God of our ancestors has chosen..."

Blind to the Truth
Devo: Unstoppable!

"The crowd listened [to his defense] until Paul said [the word, "Gentile."] Then they all began to shout, "Away with such a fellow! He isn't fit to..."

Opening Paul's Eyes
Devo: Unstoppable!

"[Paul defended himself before an angry Jewish mob by recounting his conversion to Christianity. He told them about being blinded when Jesus spoke to...."

Persecutor of the Way
Devo: Unstoppable!

"[Paul continued the defense of his ministry before the hostile mob in Jerusalem, saying:] "And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some....."

Blinded by the Light
Devo: Unstoppable!

"[Paul continued his defense before the hostile crowd in Jerusalem and described what happened to him on the road to Damascus:] "I was blinded by the...."

Paul Directed to Damascus
Devo: Unstoppable!

"[To his Jewish critics in Jerusalem, Paul recounted his meeting Jesus and changing his life:] "I asked, 'What should I do, Lord?' "And the Lord....."

What Should I Do?
Devo: Unstoppable!

"[Paul reached the dramatic moment in his defense before the crowd in Jerusalem. After telling of the revelation where Jesus spoke to him, Paul..."

Zealous to Honor God
Devo: Unstoppable!

"Then Paul said [to the mob that had tried to kill him], "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in..."

'You Will Do the Same in Rome!'
Devo: A Year with Jesus

"Dear Follower, Roman soldiers saved Paul from being beaten to death by an angry Jewish mob. The mob had mistakenly thought he had taken a Gentile..."

Cross References for Acts 22:1-23

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.