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Acts 22
Acts 22:1
Connecting Statement:
Paul speaks to the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem.
Brothers and fathers
This is a polite way of addressing men who are Paul's age as well as the older men in the audience.
I will now make to you
"I will now explain to you" or "I will now present to you"
Acts 22:2
the Hebrew language
The Hebrew language was the language of the Jews.
Acts 22:3
but educated in this city at the feet of Gamaliel
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "but I was a student of Gamaliel here in Jerusalem" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
at the feet of Gamaliel
Here "feet" stands for the place where a student would sit while learning from a teacher. Alternate translation: "by Gamaliel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Gamaliel
Gamaliel was one of the most prominent teachers of the Jewish law. See how you translated this name in Acts 5:34.
I was instructed according to the strict ways of the law of our fathers
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He instructed me how to carefully obey every law of our forefathers" or "The instruction I received followed the exact details of the law of our forefathers" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
law of our fathers
"law of our ancestors." This refers to the law that God gave to the people of Israel through Moses.
I am zealous for God
"I am completely dedicated to obeying God" or "I am passionate about my service to God"
just as all of you are today
"in the same way all of you are today." Paul compares himself with the crowd.
Acts 22:4
I persecuted this Way to the death
Here "this Way" represents the people who belonged to the group called "the Way." The word "death" can be translated with the verb "kill." Alternate translation: "I persecuted the people who belonged to this Way and I looked for ways to kill them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
this Way
This was a term used to refer to Christianity. See how you translated "the Way" in Acts 9:2.
binding up and delivering to prison both men and women
"tying up both men and women and taking them to prison"
Acts 22:5
I received letters from them
"The high priests and elders gave me letters"
for the brothers in Damascus
Here "brothers" refers to "fellow Jews."
to bring them back in bonds to Jerusalem
"to bind those of the Way with chains and bring them back to Jerusalem"
to be punished
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "so that they would receive punishment" or "so that the Jewish authorities could punish them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 22:6
Connecting Statement:
Paul describes his encounter with Jesus.
It happened that
This phrase is used here to mark where the action starts. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
Acts 22:7
heard a voice say to me
Here "voice" stands for the person speaking. Alternate translation: "I heard someone say to me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Acts 22:8
General Information:
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Acts 22:9
they did not understand the voice of him who spoke to me
Here "voice" stands for the person speaking. Alternate translation: "they did not understand what the one who spoke to me was saying" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Acts 22:10
There you will be told
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "There someone will tell you" or "There you will learn" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 22:11
I could not see because of that light's brightness
"I was left blind because of that light's brightness"
being led by the hands of those who were with me, I came into Damascus
Here "hands" stands for those leading Paul. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "those with me guided me into Damascus" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 22:12
Ananias
Though this is not the same Ananias who died earlier in Acts 5:3, you may translate it the same way that you did in Acts 5:1. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
devout man according to the law
Ananias was very serious about following God's law.
law and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there
This can be stated in active form in a new sentence. Alternate translation: "law. All the Jews who lived there spoke well of him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 22:13
General Information:
The words "He" and "him" refer to Ananias.
Brother Saul
Here "Brother" is a polite way to address someone. Alternate translation: "My friend Saul"
receive your sight
The word "sight" can be translated with the verb "see." Alternate translation: "see again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
In that very hour
This was a customary way of saying something happened immediately. Alternate translation: "At that instant" or "Instantly" or "Immediately" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Acts 22:14
General Information:
The word "he" refers to Ananias (Acts 22:12).
his will
"what God is planning and will cause to happen"
to hear the voice coming from his own mouth
Both "voice" and "mouth" refer to the one speaking. Alternate translation: "to hear him speak directly to you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Acts 22:15
to all men
Here "men" means all people whether male or female. Alternate translation: "to all people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)
Acts 22:16
Connecting Statement:
Paul finishes telling what had happened to him in Damascus. He quotes what Ananias said to him. This is still part of his speech to the crowd in Jerusalem.
Now
Here "now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
why are you waiting?
This question was asked to exhort Paul to be baptized. Alternate translation: "do not wait!" or "do not delay!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
be baptized
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "let me baptize you" or "receive baptism" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
wash away your sins
As washing one's body removes dirt, calling on the name of Jesus for forgiveness cleanses one's inner being from sin. Alternate translation: "ask forgiveness for your sins" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
calling on his name
Here "name" refers to the Lord. Alternate translation: "calling on the Lord" or "trusting in the Lord"
Acts 22:17
Connecting Statement:
Paul begins to tell the crowd about his vision of Jesus.
it happened that
This phrase is used here to mark where the action starts. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
I was given a vision
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I had a vision" or "God gave me a vision" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 22:18
I saw him say to me
"I saw Jesus as he said to me"
they will not accept your testimony about me
"those who live in Jerusalem will not believe what you tell them about me"
Acts 22:19
General Information:
Here the word "they" refers to the non-believing Jews in Jerusalem.
they themselves know
The word "themselves" is used for emphasis. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rpronouns)
in every synagogue
Paul went to synagogues to find Jews who believed in Jesus.
Acts 22:20
the blood of Stephen your witness was spilled
Here "blood" stands for Stephen's life. To spill blood means to kill. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they killed Stephen, who testified about you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 22:21
Connecting Statement:
This ends what Paul was able to say to the crowd of Jewish people by the fortress.
Acts 22:22
General Information:
Here the words "him" and "he" refer to Paul.
Away with such a fellow from the earth
The phrase "from the earth" adds emphasis to "Away with such a fellow." Alternate translation: "Kill him"
Acts 22:23
As they were
"While they were." The phrase "As they were" is used to mark two events that are happening at the same time.
throwing off their cloaks, and throwing dust into the air
These actions show that the Jews there are outraged because they feel Paul has spoken against God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Acts 22:24
chief captain
a Roman military officer or leader of about 600 soldiers
commanded Paul to be brought
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "ordered his soldiers to bring Paul" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
the fortress
This fortress was connected to the outer temple court. See how you translated this in Acts 21:34.
He ordered that he should be questioned with scourging
The commander wants soldiers to torture Paul by whipping him to ensure he tells the truth. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He ordered his soldiers to whip Paul to force him to tell the truth" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
He ordered that he
The first "he" refers to chief captain. The second "he" refers to Paul.
that he himself
The word "himself" is used for emphasis. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rpronouns)
Acts 22:25
General Information:
Here the word "they" refers to the soldiers.
the thongs
These were strips of leather or animal hide.
Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and who has not been put on trial?
Paul uses this question to make the centurion check the validity of having his soldiers whip Paul. Alternate translation: "It is not lawful for you to whip a man who is a Roman and who was not given his legal right to a trial!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Acts 22:26
What are you about to do?
This question is used to urge the commander to reconsider his plan to whip Paul. Alternate translation: "You should not do this!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Acts 22:27
General Information:
Here the word "him" refers to Paul.
The chief captain came
Here "came" can be translated as "went." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-go)
Acts 22:28
It was only with a large amount of money
"It was only after I paid a lot of money to the Roman authorities." The captain makes this statement because he knows how hard it is to become a Roman citizen, and he suspects Paul is not telling truth.
I acquired citizenship
"I got citizenship." The word "citizenship" is an abstract noun. Alternate translation: "I became a citizen" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
I was born a Roman citizen
If a man was a Roman citizen, then his children become Roman citizens automatically when they were born.
Acts 22:29
the men who were going to question
"the men who planned to question" or "the men who were preparing to question"
Acts 22:30
General Information:
Here the word "he" refers to the chief captain.
chief captain
a military officer of about 600 soldiers
So he untied his bonds
Possibly the "chief officer" stands for the chief officers' soldiers. Alternate translation: "So the chief captain ordered his soldiers to untie Paul's bonds" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
he brought Paul down
There was a stairway going down from the fortress to the temple courts.