Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Mob

³⁷ As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, “Am I allowed to say something to you?”

He replied, “Do you know Greek? ³⁸ Aren’t you the Egyptian who raised a rebellion some time ago and led 4,000 Assassins^[a][b] into the wilderness?”^(A)

³⁹ Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia,^(B) a citizen of an important city.^[c] Now I ask you, let me speak to the people.”

⁴⁰ After he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language:^(C) 22 ¹ “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” ² When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter.^{(D) 3} He^(E) continued, “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city^[d] at the feet of Gamaliel^(F) and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,^{(G) 4} I persecuted this Way^(H) to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail,^{(I) 5} as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to bring those who were prisoners there to be punished in Jerusalem.^(J)

Paul’s Testimony

⁶ “As^(K) I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’

⁸ “I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’

“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the One you are persecuting!’ ⁹ Now those who were with me saw the light,^[e] but they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me.^(L)

¹⁰ “Then I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’

“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that is assigned for you to do.’

¹¹ “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.^{(M) 12} Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good reputation with all the Jews residing there,^{(N) 13} came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. ¹⁴ Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed^(O) you to know His will, to see^(P) the Righteous One,^(Q) and to hear the sound of His voice.^{[f] 15} For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard.^{(R) 16} And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins^(S) by calling on His name.’^(T)

¹⁷ “After I came back to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple complex, I went into a visionary state^{(U) 18} and saw Him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me!’

¹⁹ “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in You imprisoned and beaten.^{(V) 20} And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing by and approving,^[g] and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.’^(W)

²¹ “Then He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”^(X)