I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul calls his former zeal a persecution of "this Way," a subtle jab that Christianity wasn't some radical new religion, but simply a path to God that he had once rejected. His description of binding both men and women, with the original Greek word meaning "to tie up," hints at the irony of his future imprisonment for the very faith he now embraced.
I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Paul addresses a hostile crowd, he recounts his former life as a zealous persecutor of Christians, using the term "this Way" to refer to the early Christian movement. He vividly describes his actions, which included arresting and imprisoning both men and women with the intent to stop the spread of this new faith entirely. This personal testimony serves as a stark contrast to his current situation, highlighting the dramatic transformation he underwent.
Paul calls his early targets 'this Way.' What did that name signify, and why was it so provocative?
When Paul refers to "this Way," he's using a term that the earliest followers of Jesus adopted for themselves. It wasn't an official title, but a description of their life and belief. For believers, it meant the way to life, the path revealed by Christ. However, outsiders like Paul often used it with a tone of scorn. It implied that these followers had chosen their own peculiar path, separate from traditional Judaism, a path that seemed misguided or even dangerous to the religious establishment. This term highlights the early tension: for believers, it was life; for persecutors, it was a deviation to be stamped out.
Paul didn't just disagree; he pursued believers 'unto death.' What does this phrase reveal about his zeal and the severity of the persecution?
The phrase 'unto death' here doesn't necessarily mean Paul personally executed people. Instead, it powerfully conveys the extent of his intention and the gravity of his actions. He was so consumed with eradicating this new movement that his goal was their ultimate destruction. This involved actively arresting, imprisoning, and handing people over to authorities who would condemn them. He 'gave his voice against them,' approving their execution. This level of zealous pursuit shows a man utterly convinced he was doing God's work by destroying what he saw as a blasphemous sect.
Understand the original words
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hodos · Greek Noun
In the context of Acts, this refers to the early Christian movement or the new way of life and faith in Jesus Christ, considered the true path of salvation.
Paul's words here are a stark reminder of his fierce opposition to early Christianity before his conversion, highlighting the dramatic turn his life took and the deep-seated opposition he faced from those who saw the early believers as a threat.
c. AD 30-33
Stephen's Martyrdom and Early Persecution
The stoning of Stephen marks a pivotal moment, igniting intense persecution against the nascent Christian movement in Jerusalem. This event led to the scattering of believers, including the apostle Paul, who actively participated in this initial wave of persecution.
c. AD 33-36— this verse
Saul's Persecution Intensifies
Saul (later Paul) emerges as a zealous persecutor, traveling to Damascus with letters of authority to arrest Christians. This verse, spoken by Paul himself, reflects this period where he actively hunted down believers, imprisoning both men and women who followed 'this Way.'
c. AD 36
Saul's Dramatic Conversion
While en route to Damascus to arrest Christians, Saul encounters the risen Christ. This transformative experience marks a radical shift from persecutor to apostle, fundamentally altering his life and mission.
c. AD 40s-50s
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Following his conversion, Paul embarks on extensive missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches and spreading the Gospel. His past persecution of Christians often created tension and distrust, even as he labored to build the church.
Paul explicitly states here that he imprisoned and voted for the death of Christians, echoing the sentiment in Acts 22:4 of persecuting 'this Way' to the extreme.
1 Timothy 1:13Paul reflects on his past, calling himself a blasphemer, persecutor, and aggressor, which directly aligns with his description of zealously persecuting Christians in Acts 22:4.
Acts 8:3This passage describes Saul (Paul) 'breathing out threatenings and slaughters against the disciples,' showing the same pattern of active persecution of believers, including men and women, as mentioned in Acts 22:4.
Philippians 3:6Paul describes himself as formerly a persecutor of the church, 'as to the righteousness under the law, blameless,' a stark contrast to his new life in Christ that he is explaining in Acts 22.
ellicottActs 22:4: "And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women."
(4) And I persecuted this way. —The speaker obviously uses the current colloquial term (see Notes on Acts 9:2 ; Acts 19:23 ), used by the disciples as indicating that they had found in Christ the way of eternal life; used, it may be, by others with a certain tone of scorn, as of people who had chosen their own way, and must be left to take it.
barnesActs 22:4: "And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women."
And I persecuted - Acts 8:3 . This way - Those who were of this mode of worshipping God; that is, Christians. See the notes on Acts 9:2. Unto the death - Intending to put them to death. He did not probably put any to death himself, but he committed them to prison; he sought their lives; he was the agent employed in arresting them; and when they were put to death, he tells us that he ga…
Paul calls his former zeal a persecution of "this Way," a subtle jab that Christianity wasn't some radical new religion, but simply a path to God that he had once rejected. His description of binding both men and women, with the original Greek word meaning "to tie up," hints at the irony of his future imprisonment for the very faith he now embraced.
As Paul addresses a hostile crowd, he recounts his former life as a zealous persecutor of Christians, using the term "this Way" to refer to the early Christian movement. He vividly describes his actions, which included arresting and imprisoning both men and women with the intent to stop the spread of this new faith entirely. This personal testimony serves as a stark contrast to his current situation, highlighting the dramatic transformation he underwent.
As Paul addresses a hostile crowd, he recounts his former life as a zealous persecutor of Christians, using the term "this Way" to refer to the early Christian movement. He vividly describes his actions, which included arresting and imprisoning both men and women with the intent to stop the spread of this new faith entirely. This personal testimony serves as a stark contrast to his current situation, highlighting the dramatic transformation he underwent.
"I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women," — Paul calls his former zeal a persecution of "this Way," a subtle jab that Christianity wasn't some radical new religion, but simply a path to God that he had once rejected. His description of bindi…
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Last reviewed October 2026