King James Version

What Does Acts 22:3 Mean?

Acts 22:3 in the King James Version says “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel... — study this verse from Acts chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Acts 22:3 · KJV


Context

1

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

2

(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

3

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

4

And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Born in Tarsus—Paul claims both Jewish purity and Roman citizenship (21:39). Tarsus was a major intellectual center, suggesting elite education. At the feet of Gamaliel (παρὰ τοὺς πόδας Γαμαλιήλ)—Studying 'at the feet' indicated formal rabbinic discipleship. Gamaliel I was the most respected Pharisee of his generation (Acts 5:34-39), grandson of Hillel, whose moderate wisdom had earlier spared the apostles' lives.

Perfect manner of the law (ἀκρίβειαν τοῦ πατρῴου νόμου)—The Greek 'akribeia' means exactness, precision, strictness. Paul wasn't a casual Jew but a zealous Pharisee who kept the law meticulously (Philippians 3:5-6). His persecution of Christians stemmed not from ignorance but from informed conviction that this sect was heretical. Christ didn't save a nominal Jew but transformed a passionate opponent.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Studying under Gamaliel (ca. AD 22-30) placed Paul at Judaism's intellectual apex. Gamaliel taught in Jerusalem, making Paul a product of the Holy City's rabbinic schools despite his Diaspora birth. This training made Paul uniquely qualified to explain how Jesus fulfilled Torah and Prophets.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's impeccable Jewish pedigree strengthen his testimony that salvation is by grace through faith, not law-keeping?
  2. What 'credentials' from your pre-Christian life has God redeemed for gospel purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
Ἐγώ1 of 35

I

G1473

i, me

μὲν2 of 35

verily

G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

εἰμι3 of 35

am

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ἀνὴρ4 of 35

a man

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

Ἰουδαῖος5 of 35

which am a Jew

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

γεγεννημένος6 of 35

born

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

ἐν7 of 35

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Ταρσῷ8 of 35

Tarsus

G5019

tarsus, a place in asia minor

τῆς9 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Κιλικίας10 of 35

a city in Cilicia

G2791

cilicia, a region of asia minor

ἀνατεθραμμένος11 of 35

brought up

G397

to rear (physically or mentally)

δὲ12 of 35

yet

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐν13 of 35

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ14 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλει15 of 35

city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

ταύτῃ16 of 35
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

παρὰ17 of 35

at

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τοὺς18 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόδας19 of 35

the feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

Γαμαλιὴλ20 of 35

of Gamaliel

G1059

gamaliel (i.e., gamliel), an israelite

πεπαιδευμένος21 of 35

and taught

G3811

to train up a child, i.e., educate, or (by implication), discipline (by punishment)

κατὰ22 of 35

according

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ἀκρίβειαν23 of 35

to the perfect manner

G195

exactness

τοῦ24 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρῴου25 of 35

of the fathers

G3971

paternal, i.e., hereditary

νόμου26 of 35

of the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ζηλωτὴς27 of 35

zealous

G2207

a "zealot"

ὑπάρχων28 of 35

and was

G5225

to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip

τοῦ29 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ30 of 35

toward God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καθὼς31 of 35

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

πάντες32 of 35

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμεῖς33 of 35

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ἐστε34 of 35

are

G2075

ye are

σήμερον·35 of 35

this day

G4594

on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 22:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 22:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study