Acts 22:5 Meaning and Explanation
“As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul calls the high priest and the whole council of elders as his witnesses, for they supplied the letters that sent him to Damascus to bring believers back in chains.
What Does Acts 22:5 Mean?
Paul's persecution was not private violence; it was official, commissioned by the high priest and the body of elders, and the record could be checked. Armed with their letters, he set out for Damascus, about a hundred and forty miles north, to drag disciples back to Jerusalem for punishment.
He names his witnesses without fear because the facts stand on his side. That a man so credentialed, so invested in destroying this way, became its boldest preacher demands an explanation, and Paul is about to give one. A life turned around by Christ remains among the most unanswerable evidences the gospel has (compare Galatians 1:23).
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 22:5
What does Acts 22:5 mean?
Paul calls the high priest and the whole council of elders as his witnesses, for they supplied the letters that sent him to Damascus to bring believers back in chains.