As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
Parallel translations
- KJV 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.
- BSB as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
- NKJV as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
- NASB as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brothers, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.
- NLT The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul appeals to the high priest and elders as witnesses that he carried official letters to arrest believers in Damascus. He proves his persecuting zeal was well documented and sincere.
Overview
The Sanhedrin's commission shows Paul acted with the full sanction of Jewish authority. By citing witnesses who could verify his former hostility, Paul makes his conversion all the more striking and credible. Only a sovereign act of the risen Lord could turn such a determined enemy into a devoted servant.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Acts 9:1–2But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
- Luke 22:66As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,
- Acts 5:21When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
- Acts 4:5In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
- Acts 13:26Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.
- Acts 26:10This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.
- Acts 26:12“Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,
- Rom 9:3–4For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh,
- Acts 9:14Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
- 1 Tim 4:14Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.
- Acts 28:21They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.
- Acts 22:1“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.”
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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