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Acts 26:4

in Acts 26

Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from the earliest days of my youth, among my own people and in Jerusalem.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

KJV

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

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This verse in Acts 26

Commentary

9 notes on this verse

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Acts · Written before 1107.

"All the Jews know; they have known about me for a long time." This means: the Jews know the truth, but do not want to testify to it, and willfully lie and sin against him.

This site's exposition

how I have lived from

on Acts 26:4-5

Paul says the Jews know he lived from his youth as a Pharisee, the strictest sect of our religion. The words if they are willing point at the accusers, who could vouch for his former standing and now refuse to speak. Philippians 3:5 states the same pedigree.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 52 · Written before 407.

proposed

"My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews: which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee." Then how should I have become a seditious person, who when young was thus testified of by all? Then too from his sect: "after the most straitest sect" says he, "of our religion I lived." "What then, if though the sect indeed be worthy of admiration, thou art evil?" Touching this also I call all to witness-touching my life and conversation.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 52 · Written before 407.

proposed

They accuse me of sedition, accuse me of heresy, accuse me that I have profaned the temple: "touching all these things I answer for myself:" now that these are not things in accordance with my ways, my accusers themselves are witnesses: "my manner of life from my youth," etc. which is what he says on a former occasion "Being a zealot." And when the whole people was present, then he challenges their testimony. "Know all the Jews," he says, "which knew me from the beginning." And he does not say what kind of life his was, but leaves it to their own conscience, and lays the whole stress on his sect, as he would not have chosen that sect, if he had been a man of evil disposition and bad character.

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

proposed

From my youth, which was from the beginning - That is, which was from the beginning of my youth.
My manner of life, from my youth,....

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

(1.) His religion is built upon the promise made of God unto the fathers. It is built upon divine revelation, which he receives and believes, and ventures his soul upon; it is built upon divine grace, and that grace manifested and conveyed by promise.
2 more voices on this verse

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

My manner of life, etc. - The apostle means to state that, though born in Tarsus, he had a regular Jewish education, having been sent up to Jerusalem for that purpose; but at what age does not appear; probably about twelve, for at this age the male children were probably brought to the annual solemnities. See on Luk 2:41 (note).
My manner of life - My opinions, principles, and conduct. From my youth - Paul was born in Tarsus; but at an early period he had been sent to Jerusalem for the purpose of education in the school of Gamaliel, Act 22:3. Which was at the first - Which was from the beginning; the early part of which; the time when the opinions and habits are formed. Know all the Jews - It is not at all improbable that Paul was distinguished in the school of Gamaliel for zeal in the Jewish religion. The fact that he was early entrusted with a commission against the Christians Acts 9 shows that he was known. Compare Php 3:4-6. He might appeal to them, therefore, in regard to the early part of his life, and, doubtless, to the very men who had been his violent accusers.

The words behind it

23 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

6 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Romans 11:1I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.9 worksGalatians 1:13For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.4 works2 Timothy 3:10You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,3 worksPhilippians 3:5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;3 worksActs 22:3“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today.3 works2 Timothy 1:3I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    2 Timothy 3:10

    You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,

    it leads to

    • 1 Timothy 6:11

      But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

    • Titus 2:7

      In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

  • Through

    Philippians 3:5

    circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;

    it leads to

    • 2 Corinthians 11:22

      Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

    • Romans 11:1

      I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

  • Through

    Acts 22:3

    “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I am just…

    it leads to

    • Philippians 3:5–6

      circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;

    • Acts 26:5

      They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.

    • Acts 5:34

      But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time.

    • Acts 9:11

      “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Pentecost, El Greco, about 1600, Museo del Prado. Public domain.
The Pentecost, El Greco, about 1600, Museo del Prado. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 26 →

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Acts of the Apostles; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 52; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.

Read on in Acts 26 →