I. His Imprisonment in Jerusalem (continued) (21:17-23:30)
C. Paul obtains permission to address the mob, (21:37-40)
v.37 Paul wanted to speak to the mob, but the chief captain was having him whisked away. When Paul spoke to the officer in Greek the chief captain was surprised. Why? See v.38.
v.38 This Egyptian renegade is who the chief captain thought Paul was. Since Paul had spoken in Greek the chief captain was now wondering if his assumption was true. Remember, the chief captain believes that Paul started the riot.
v.39 Paul describes his background as Jewish from a prominent city of Cilicia: Tarsus. And asks for permission to speak to the mob.
v.40 When the soldiers released him Paul was standing on the stairs above the courtyard. Giving the hand gesture for silence he obtains it and begins his discourse speaking in the Hebrew language. Why would the chief captain grant Paul permission to speak?
D. Paul's address to the Mob. (22:1-21)
1. An account of himself before conversion (vv. 1-5)
v.1 Paul respectfully requests that the Jews hear his defense. The charges he will answer are those of ch. 21:28.
v.2 The use of the Hebrew language had its desired effect on the crowd, a calming, quieting effect.
v.3 By birth and education Paul was a Jew, though foreign he was raised in Jerusalem. Gamaliel was one of the most respected doctors of Jewish law of the time. Paul reflects back on the time when his zealousness led him to act the same as these were acting. In this verse Paul has informed the crowd and the chief captain of his 1) upbringing 2) cultural and religious background and 3) his zeal toward God.
v.4 Paul had formerly persecuted Christians to death, delivered them to prisons both men and women. This demonstrated his prior intense zeal for the law.
v.5 Paul's authority had come from the high priest and the Sanhedrin, this would be documented in the temple records Acts 9:2-14; 8:1,3; 26:11. This part of Paul's speech would clear up who he was as well as make the mob wonder why he changed.
2. An account of his conversion (vv. 6-16)
v.6 This is the second account of Paul's conversion, the first was in Ch. 9, and the third will be in Ch. 26. Since it was noon, imagine how bright the light would be to exceed the power of the sun.
v.7 Compare 9:4,8; 26:14. Did only Paul fall to the ground or did they all fall to the ground?
v.8 Here Paul inserts "of Nazareth." Compare 9:5; 26:15. Paul understood what Jesus meant. When Paul persecuted the followers of Christ, he persecuted Jesus. ACTS-71.
v.9 Ch.9 says they heard the voice, here it says they did not. Reconcile these verses. 26:14 tells is the voice was in the Hebrew language.
v.10 Paul had to go to Damascus to find out what he must do. Was Saul converted at this point?
v.11 Some feel that Paul's thorn in the flesh was poor eyesight, basing this assumption on the blindness incurred and his statement of Gal. 4:15.
v.12 Ananias was well reported of by the Jews, this would appease some in the crowd. Paul is making the point that the change in his attitude and behavior comes through divine agency and not some personal whim. ch. 9:12
v.13 Ananias recognized Saul as a Jewish brother. Through Ananias Paul received his sight.
v.14 Ananias describes what has happened to Saul. 1) appointed to know the will of God, 2) see Christ, 3) hear His voice. This is how Paul received his apostolic commission. I Cor. 9:1; 15:8; Gal. l:l, 11,12.
v.15 Paul was to be a witness unto all men. See 9:15. Why wouldn't Paul directly mention the Gentiles? Paul's testimony was based on two things 1) his seeing and 2) his hearing, v.14.
v.16 Paul is told to get someone to baptize him. To "wash away thy sins" is the purpose of baptism. Does baptism sound like a symbol of what had already been done? By his arguments thus far Paul would hope to win his accusers over to his side by making them think about what they would do if these events had occurred to them.
3. His mission to the Gentiles (vv. 17-21)
v.17,18 Acts 9:29. Remember that 3 years passed from the time he left Jerusalem until the time he returned. In the vision he is told to leave because his testimony would not be received.
v.19 Paul believed that his special case would be an asset to converting other Jews to the cause of Christ.
v.20 Paul recounts his participation in the stoning of Stephen. Some scholars believe Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin and was in charge of the stoning.
v.21 The Lord did not argue with Paul he just repeated his command for him to leave. Now Paul mentions where he was sent and that is when more uproar begins.