Acts 26:10 - This 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.
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What does "Acts 26:10" mean?
This verse, Acts 26:10, is part of Paul's (formerly Saul) testimony to King Agrippa. He's recounting his past life as a persecutor of Christians before his conversion. Let's break it down:
"This I also did in Jerusalem": Paul is referring to his actions of persecuting Christians. Jerusalem was the epicenter of the early Christian movement, so it's where much of this persecution would have taken place.
"I both shut up many of the saints in prisons": "Saints" here refers to the Christians. Paul actively participated in arresting and imprisoning them for their faith. This demonstrates his zealousness in trying to stamp out what he believed was a heretical sect.
"having received authority from the chief priests": This highlights that Paul wasn't acting on his own. He had the backing and legal power granted to him by the Jewish religious leaders (the chief priests and probably the Sanhedrin). This reinforces that his actions were officially sanctioned by the religious establishment.
"and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them": This is a powerful and controversial statement. It suggests that Paul actively participated in the legal proceedings that led to the execution of some Christians. "Gave my vote" is a bit ambiguous. It could mean:
He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, and literally cast a vote for their death. Some scholars believe Paul may have had ties to the Sanhedrin to be given such power.
More broadly, it could mean he gave his approval or consent to their execution. He may not have been a formal member of the court but used his influence and authority to advocate for their death sentences.
The Greek word translated as vote can also mean "to give assent" or "to approve." Paul is saying he agreed with their actions of putting Christians to death.
In Summary:
This verse portrays Paul's active and enthusiastic participation in the persecution of Christians before his conversion. It emphasizes:
His personal involvement in arresting and imprisoning Christians.
His authority to do so, granted by the chief priests.
His direct or indirect involvement in the execution of some Christians, which carries a significant moral weight.
This verse is crucial in understanding the dramatic transformation Paul underwent. It highlights the depth of his former opposition to Christianity and makes his subsequent conversion and dedication to spreading the Gospel even more remarkable. It also reveals the very real and dangerous environment that the early Christians faced.
Acts 26:10 - This 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.
What does "Acts 26:10" mean?
This verse, Acts 26:10, is part of Paul's (formerly Saul) testimony to King Agrippa. He's recounting his past life as a persecutor of Christians before his conversion. Let's break it down:
"This I also did in Jerusalem": Paul is referring to his actions of persecuting Christians. Jerusalem was the epicenter of the early Christian movement, so it's where much of this persecution would have taken place.
"I both shut up many of the saints in prisons": "Saints" here refers to the Christians. Paul actively participated in arresting and imprisoning them for their faith. This demonstrates his zealousness in trying to stamp out what he believed was a heretical sect.
"having received authority from the chief priests": This highlights that Paul wasn't acting on his own. He had the backing and legal power granted to him by the Jewish religious leaders (the chief priests and probably the Sanhedrin). This reinforces that his actions were officially sanctioned by the religious establishment.
"and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them": This is a powerful and controversial statement. It suggests that Paul actively participated in the legal proceedings that led to the execution of some Christians. "Gave my vote" is a bit ambiguous. It could mean:
He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, and literally cast a vote for their death. Some scholars believe Paul may have had ties to the Sanhedrin to be given such power.
More broadly, it could mean he gave his approval or consent to their execution. He may not have been a formal member of the court but used his influence and authority to advocate for their death sentences.
The Greek word translated as vote can also mean "to give assent" or "to approve." Paul is saying he agreed with their actions of putting Christians to death.
In Summary:
This verse portrays Paul's active and enthusiastic participation in the persecution of Christians before his conversion. It emphasizes:
His personal involvement in arresting and imprisoning Christians.
His authority to do so, granted by the chief priests.
His direct or indirect involvement in the execution of some Christians, which carries a significant moral weight.
This verse is crucial in understanding the dramatic transformation Paul underwent. It highlights the depth of his former opposition to Christianity and makes his subsequent conversion and dedication to spreading the Gospel even more remarkable. It also reveals the very real and dangerous environment that the early Christians faced.