Act 22:1-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Acts 22:1-21: 22:1-21 Paul’s premier defense of his life and faith before his own people in Jerusalem illustrates his flexibility as a missionary, just as his speech to the Greek philosophers in Athens had done (17:22-31 ; see 1 Cor 9:20-23 ). Paul begins by recognizing his kinship with his people, explaining his Jewish background and training under the noted rabbi Gamaliel the Elder and describing his zealous desire to honor God in everything , which they shared (Acts 22:1-3 ). Paul then describes his persecution of Christians (22:4-5 ), the revelation of Jesus to him on the way to Damascus (22:6-10 ), and his conversion (22:11-16 ). Paul ends his speech by describing his conversation with the Lord in the Temple. The Lord had predicted the Jews’ rejection of the message and had sent Paul to the Gentiles (22:17-21 ).

Summary for Acts 22:1-21: 22:1-21 ^a Paul’s premier defense of his life and faith before his own people in Jerusalem illustrates his flexibility as a missionary, just as his speech to the Greek philosophers in Athens had done (17:22-31 ^b; see 1 Cor 9:20-23 ^c). Paul begins by recognizing his kinship with his people, explaining his Jewish background and training under the noted rabbi Gamaliel the Elder and describing his zealous desire to honor God in everything, which they shared (Acts 22:1-3 ^d). Paul then describes his persecution of Christians (22:4-5 ^e), the revelation of Jesus to him on the way to Damascus (22:6-10 ^f), and his conversion (22:11-16 ^g). Paul ends his speech by describing his conversation with the Lord in the Temple. The Lord had predicted the Jews’ rejection of the message and had sent Paul to the Gentiles (22:17-21 ^h).
22:3 ⁱ under Gamaliel: See study note on 5:34.
Summary for Acts 22:12-16: 22:12-16 ^j Ananias: See study note on 9:17.
22:14 ^k the Righteous One: See also 3:14 ^l; 7:52 ^m; 1 Jn 2:1 ⁿ. Righteousness was one of the Messiah’s characteristics (see Isa 32:1 ^o; 53:11 ^p).
22:16 ^q be baptized. Have your sins washed away: See thematic note for Baptism at end of chapter.
Summary for Acts 22:17-22: 22:17-22 ^r While Paul was praying in the Temple, he saw a vision of Jesus telling him that the people of Jerusalem would not accept his testimony. The Lord then sent him to the Gentiles. The crowd’s response to this report (22:22-23 ^s) proved the point.