Acts 22:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:3

A Jew for verily a man which am a Jew, A.V. and T.R.; of Cilicia for a city in Cilicia, A.V.; but for yet, A.V.; instructed for and taught, A.V.; strict for perfect, A.V.; our for the, A.V.; being for and was, A.V.; for for towards, A.V. ; even as for as, A.V. Born in Tarsus , etc. (see Acts 21:39 ). St. Paul was evidently proud of his native city, "the famous capital of a Roman province," watered by the "swift stream of the Cydnus," and looked down upon by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:3

The sincerity of St. Paul's Judaism. "I am verily a man which am a Jew." This remarkable speech was addressed to a particular audience, under particular circumstances, and it was precisely adapted to that audience. It took careful account of their knowledge and of their prejudices. It was conciliatory in tone, but firm to the truth and manly in spirit. It is impossible for us to admire too highly the calmness and the self-command of the apostle under such perilous circumstances. Instances... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 22:3

Born in Tarsus - See the notes on Acts 9:11.Brought up in this city - In Jerusalem, sent there for the advantage of more perfect instruction in the Law.At the feet of Gamaliel - As a scholar or disciple of Gamaliel. The phrase to sit at the feet of one is expressive of the condition of a disciple or learner. Compare Deuteronomy 33:3; Luke 10:39. It is probable that the expression arose from the fact that the learners occupied a lower place or seat than the teacher. On the character and rank of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 22:3-5

Acts 22:3-5. I am verily a Jew, &c. This defence answers all that is objected, Acts 21:28. But he speaks closely and nervously, in a few words, because the time was short; born in Tarsus, yet brought up in this city For my parents were so warmly attached to their religion, and so desirous that I might be well instructed in it, that they sent me to be educated here; at the feet of Gamaliel That celebrated teacher. See note on Acts 5:34. The phrase of being brought up at his feet, ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 22:1-29

Paul’s reply to the crowd (21:37-22:29)By his command of the situation, Paul showed much physical courage and mental alertness. One minute he was snatched from a violent death, the next he was able to address a mob of wildly excited Jews who were screaming for his blood. He spoke with such power that a rioting crowd of would-be murderers listened to him in silence (37-40).Paul wanted to show that he was a zealous Jew, called by God to serve him. He told of his Jewish upbringing and education,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 22:3

verily . Texts omit. man . Greek. aner . App-123 . in Cilicia = of Cilicia. brought up . Greek. anatrepho. Only here and Acts 7:20 , Acts 7:21 . Gamaliel . See note on Acts 5:34 . Only mentioned in these two places. taught . Greek. paideuo, to train a child ( pais ), instruct, chastise. See Acts 7:22 .Luke 23:16 , Luke 23:22 . according to . Greek. kata. App-104 . perfect manner . Literally accuracy. Greek. akribeia. Only here. Much used by medical writers. of the fathers .... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 22:3

I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day.Dummelow gave an excellent outline of Paul's speech which properly begins with this verse:Paul was accused of: (1) hostility to the Jews; (2) contempt for Jewish law; and (3) desecration of the temple. He replied to all three charges thus: (1) He was a Jew by birth, educated in... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 22:3

Acts 22:3. Brought up—at the feet of Gamaliel,— Strabo tells us that it was customaryamong the inhabitants of Tarsus, for the young people, when they had gone through a course of education at Rome, to travel abroad for further improvement. Concerning Gamaliel, see on ch. Acts 5:34. The phrase of being brought up at his feet, plainly alludes to the posture in which the scholars were usually placed, who sat on the ground, or on low seats, while their teacher was raised on a kind of throne. Hence,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 22:3

3. a Jew of Tarsus, brought up in this city, at the feet—(See on :-). of Gamaliel—(See on :-); a fact of great importance in the apostle's history, standing in the same relation to his future career as Moses' education in the Egyptian court to the work for which he was destined. the perfect manner of the law of the fathers—the strictest form of traditional Judaism. zealous—"a zealot." toward God as ye all are this day—his own former murderous zeal against the disciples of the Lord Jesus being... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 22:1-21

Paul’s speech in his defense 22:1-21The speeches in Acts so far have been mainly in the form of deliberative rhetoric, the purpose of which is to make people change their minds and lives in view of the future. In chapters 22-26, however, the speeches are forensic rhetoric, designed mainly for defensive and apologetic purposes. [Note: See ibid., pp. 660-61, for further discussion.] Paul needed to defend himself against the charge that he had been disloyal to his people, the Mosaic Law, and the... read more

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