Acts 22:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Standing on the fortress stairs before the crowd that had just tried to kill him, Paul respectfully asks the men of Jerusalem to hear his defense.
What Does Acts 22:1 Mean?
Moments earlier a mob had dragged Paul from the temple and beaten him, and Roman soldiers had carried him to safety (Acts 21:30-36). Granted leave to speak, he stands on the stairs and addresses the city with words of honor, 'men, brethren, and fathers', the same opening Stephen used before his judges (Acts 7:2).
Paul does not curse the crowd that bloodied him; he calls them brethren and fathers. His defense will not be a lawyer's maneuver but a testimony, the story of what Jesus has done in him. When the Lord's servants are mistreated, their answer is witness, given with meekness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), because the goal is never to win the argument but to win the hearers.
Acts 22:1 in the Original Language
apologia (ἀπολογία), 'defence' -- a reasoned answer given before accusers, the word behind 'apologetics'.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 22:1
What does Acts 22:1 mean?
Standing on the fortress stairs before the crowd that had just tried to kill him, Paul respectfully asks the men of Jerusalem to hear his defense.