King James Version

What Does Acts 26:11 Mean?

Acts 26:11 in the King James Version says “And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I p... — study this verse from Acts chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 26:11 · KJV


Context

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,

13

At midday , O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I punished them oft in every synagogue—Paul's relentless persecution targeted Christians in the very places of worship where they still gathered. The Greek ἀναγκάζω (anagkazo, compelled) reveals physical coercion, not mere persuasion. Compelled them to blaspheme meant forcing believers under torture to curse Jesus as Lord—a direct assault on their confession that 'Jesus is Lord' (1 Cor 12:3). The phrase exceedingly mad (περισσῶς ἐμμαινόμενος, perissos emmainomenos) depicts Paul's fury as irrational rage, religious fanaticism blinding him to truth.

Paul's testimony before Agrippa doesn't minimize his guilt but magnifies God's grace. The man who 'breathed out threatenings and slaughter' (Acts 9:1) now proclaims the gospel to kings. Even unto strange cities shows persecution extending beyond Jerusalem to Damascus and likely other regions—systematic, organized violence against the church. This brutal past made Paul forever humble, calling himself 'chief of sinners' (1 Tim 1:15).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul (then Saul) led persecution circa AD 32-34, authorized by the Sanhedrin to hunt Christians in synagogues throughout Judea and Syria. The 'strange cities' included Damascus, where his conversion interrupted the violent campaign. Forcing believers to blaspheme was particularly heinous in Judaism, showing how far zeal without knowledge had taken him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's transparency about his violent past inform how we should share our own testimonies of God's transforming grace?
  2. In what ways can religious zeal become 'exceedingly mad' when divorced from true knowledge of God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
καὶ1 of 21

And

G2532

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

κατὰ2 of 21

in

G2596

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

πάσας3 of 21

every

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰς4 of 21
G3588

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

συναγωγὰς5 of 21

synagogue

G4864

an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church

πολλάκις6 of 21

oft

G4178

many times, i.e., frequently

τιμωρῶν7 of 21

I punished

G5097

properly, to protect one's honor, i.e., to avenge (inflict a penalty)

αὐτοῖς8 of 21

them

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

ἠνάγκαζον9 of 21

and compelled

G315

to necessitate

βλασφημεῖν10 of 21

them to blaspheme

G987

to vilify; specially, to speak impiously

περισσῶς11 of 21

exceedingly

G4057

superabundantly

τε12 of 21

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

ἐμμαινόμενος13 of 21

being

G1693

to rave on, i.e., rage at

αὐτοῖς14 of 21

them

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

ἐδίωκον15 of 21

I persecuted

G1377

compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute

ἕως16 of 21
G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

καὶ17 of 21

And

G2532

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

εἰς18 of 21

unto

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὰς19 of 21
G3588

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

ἔξω20 of 21

strange

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively

πόλεις21 of 21

cities

G4172

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


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 26:11 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 26:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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