Acts 26:9-11
“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul wasn't just generally against Jesus; he felt a deep, personal obligation to actively oppose Him, viewing it as a duty owed to his religion and God. This highlights the dangerous power of a sincere but misguided conscience, demonstrating that strong conviction alone isn't proof of being right.
Paul is recounting his conversion to King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus. He has just explained his Jewish heritage and his zealous adherence to the Law. Now, he reveals the intensity of his opposition to Jesus and his followers before his dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus.
Paul admits he wasn't just casually against Jesus; he felt a deep obligation to fight against Him. What drives such conviction, even when it's wrong?
Paul begins his defense by acknowledging his past, stating, 'I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.' This wasn't a casual dislike; it was a perceived duty.
The Power of a Misguided Conscience
Paul didn't just oppose an idea; he vehemently fought against a specific group of people and their beliefs. What was it about 'Jesus of Nazareth' that ignited such a fierce reaction?
Paul's language, calling Jesus 'of Nazareth,' is significant. It was a way his opponents (and he himself, at the time) used to demean Jesus, implying He was an insignificant figure from an obscure town.
More Than Just a Name
Understand the original words
onoma · Greek Noun
Used here to represent the person, authority, nature, and reputation of Jesus Christ as the singular focus of faith and the object of opposition.
hagios · Greek Noun/Adjective
Believers in Christ; those who are set apart by God for His service and have been sanctified through faith.
archiereus · Greek Noun
Religious leaders in Jerusalem who held ecclesiastical and legal authority over the Jewish people, often involved in the legal proceedings against Christians.
timōreō · Greek Verb
The act of inflicting penalty or retribution for an offense; in a biblical context, it often refers to suffering endured for the sake of faith or, as here, the act of causing such suffering to believers.
Paul's statement in Acts 26:9 reveals the intense, conscientious opposition he once held towards Jesus and His followers, highlighting the radical transformation that occurred and underscoring the power of the Gospel to change even the most zealous adversaries.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central event of Christian faith, Jesus' death and resurrection, occurred during this period, sparking the beginnings of the early Christian movement.
c. AD 33-34
Stephen's Martyrdom
Stephen, a prominent early Christian leader, was stoned to death, marking a significant escalation of persecution against believers in Jerusalem.
c. AD 34
Saul's Persecution of the Church
Saul (later Paul) was actively involved in persecuting the early church in Jerusalem, consenting to and even driving the persecution following Stephen's death.
c. AD 34— this verse
Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
While on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus, Saul had a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus, which led to his conversion.
This passage echoes Paul's own testimony, where he admits he was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent, highlighting the radical transformation he underwent, similar to how he describes his past opposition in Acts.
Galatians 1:23This verse mentions that the early believers had only heard reports of Paul's conversion, that he who once persecuted them was now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy, underscoring the dramatic shift described in Acts 26:9.
Philippians 3:6Paul describes his former zeal in persecuting the church, stating he was 'progressing in Judaism beyond many of my own age,' which directly aligns with his admission in Acts 26:9 about his fervent, though misguided, opposition to Christianity.
Acts 9:1This verse immediately precedes the account of Paul's conversion, showing his initial intent to seek out letters for persecuting believers, thus setting the stage for his later reflection in Acts 26:9 on his past conviction that he 'ought to do many things' against Jesus.
ellicottActs 26:9: "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."
(9) I verily thought with myself . . . —The words have a tone of considerate sympathy and hope. He himself had been led from unbelief to faith; he will not despair of a like transition for others, even for Agrippa. (Comp. 1Timothy 1:12-17 .) On the relation of this account of the Apostle’s conversion to previous narratives, see Notes on Acts 9:1-20 .
barnesActs 26:9: "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."
I verily thought - I indeed μὲν men supposed. Paul here commences the account of his conversion, and states the evidence on which he judged that he was called of God to do what he had done. He begins by saying that it was not because he was originally disposed to be a Christian, but that he was violently and conscientiously opposed to Jesus of Nazareth, and had been converted w…
Paul wasn't just generally against Jesus; he felt a deep, personal obligation to actively oppose Him, viewing it as a duty owed to his religion and God. This highlights the dangerous power of a sincere but misguided conscience, demonstrating that strong conviction alone isn't proof of being right.
Paul is recounting his conversion to King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus. He has just explained his Jewish heritage and his zealous adherence to the Law. Now, he reveals the intensity of his opposition to Jesus and his followers before his dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus.
Paul is recounting his conversion to King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus. He has just explained his Jewish heritage and his zealous adherence to the Law. Now, he reveals the intensity of his opposition to Jesus and his followers before his dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus.
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blasphēmeō · Greek Verb
To speak irreverently or profanely about God or sacred things; it denotes an act of defiant hostility against the divine or the things of God.
diōkō · Greek Verb
To pursue with hostile intent, harass, or oppress, specifically because of one’s religious convictions or loyalty to Christ.
c. AD 45-49
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Following his conversion and a period of reflection, Paul embarked on his first major missionary journey, spreading the gospel to Gentiles in Asia Minor.
c. AD 50-52
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal council addressed the issue of Gentile inclusion in the church, affirming that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to the Law of Moses.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul was imprisoned in Rome, where he continued to write letters and preach the gospel, demonstrating the resilience of his faith despite his circumstances.
"“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they…" — Paul wasn't just generally against Jesus; he felt a deep, personal obligation to actively oppose Him, viewing it as a duty owed to his religion and God. This highlights the dangerous power of a sin…
