King James Version

What Does Acts 26:10 Mean?

Acts 26:10 in the King James Version says “Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

Acts 26:10 · KJV


Context

8

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

9

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10

Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

11

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

12

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem—Paul confirms his zealous persecution was not hearsay but personal action. Many of the saints did I shut up in prison (τοὺς ἁγίους, tous hagious)—the early believers are called "saints" (holy ones), the same term applied to God's covenant people. Paul's use of this title while confessing his persecution reveals his transformed understanding.

Having received authority from the chief priests (ἐξουσίαν...παρὰ τῶν ἀρχιερέων)—official Sanhedrin authorization, likely similar to the letters mentioned in Acts 9:2. When they were put to death, I gave my voice against them (κατήνεγκα ψῆφον)—literally "cast my vote/pebble." Whether Paul was a Sanhedrin member or simply consented (as with Stephen, Acts 8:1) is debated, but the phrase indicates active, deliberate complicity in capital sentences. The chief persecutor became Christianity's chief apostle—demonstrating the radical power of Christ's transforming grace.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul speaks before King Agrippa II (c. AD 59-60) in Caesarea, defending himself against Jewish accusations. His persecution of Christians occurred roughly 25-30 years earlier (c. AD 32-34), during the volatile period after Jesus's crucifixion when the Jerusalem church faced intense opposition from the Sanhedrin. Paul's authorization from the chief priests shows the persecution was systematic and officially sanctioned, not merely mob violence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's testimony of God's grace transforming him from chief persecutor to chief apostle encourage you about God's power to redeem anyone?
  2. What does Paul's use of the term "saints" for those he persecuted reveal about his changed perspective on who God's true people are?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
1 of 23

Which thing

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ2 of 23

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐποίησα3 of 23

did

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ἐν4 of 23

in

G1722

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

Ἱεροσολύμοις5 of 23

Jerusalem

G2414

hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine

καὶ6 of 23

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πολλούς7 of 23

many

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

τῶν8 of 23
G3588

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

ἁγίων9 of 23

of the saints

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

ἐγὼ10 of 23

I

G1473

i, me

φυλακαῖς11 of 23

in prison

G5438

a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh

κατέκλεισα12 of 23

did

G2623

to shut down (in a dungeon), i.e., incarcerate

τὴν13 of 23
G3588

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

παρὰ14 of 23

from

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

τῶν15 of 23
G3588

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

ἀρχιερέων16 of 23

the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

ἐξουσίαν17 of 23

authority

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

λαβών18 of 23

having received

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ἀναιρουμένων19 of 23

were put to death

G337

to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder

τε20 of 23

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

αὐτῶν21 of 23

when they

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

κατήνεγκα22 of 23

I gave

G2702

to bear down, i.e., (figuratively) overcome (with drowsiness); specially, to cast a vote

ψῆφον23 of 23

my voice

G5586

a pebble (as worn smooth by handling), i.e., (by implication, of use as a counter or ballot) a verdict (of acquittal) or ticket (of admission); a vote


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 26:10 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 26:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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