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Monday, October 7th, 2024
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
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Read the Bible

King James Version

Acts 22:3

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Bigotry;   Children;   Feet;   Gamaliel;   Instruction;   Paul;   Pharisees;   School;   Tarsus;   Tutor;   Thompson Chain Reference - False;   Gamaliel;   Knowledge;   Knowledge-Ignorance;   Learning;   Legalism;   Religion;   Religion, True-False;   Tutors;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Children;   Jews, the;   Law of Moses, the;   Pharisees, the;   Zeal;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Damascus;   Gamaliel;   Lysias;   Stephen;   Tarsus;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Education;   Paul;   Rabbi;   Scribes;   Tarsus;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Faith;   Paul the Apostle;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Antonia;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Education;   Gamaliel;   Paul;   Scribes;   Tarsus;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Cilicia;   Education in Bible Times;   Foot;   Gamaliel;   Jews in the New Testament;   Paul;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Cilicia;   Damascus;   Education;   Foot;   Gamaliel;   Paul the Apostle;   Scribes;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Boyhood ;   Cilicia ;   Damascus, Damascenes;   Education;   Education (2);   Feet;   Foot;   Gamaliel ;   Mary;   Paul;   Perfect Perfection;   Scribe;   Tarsus ;   Voice;   Zeal (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Gamaliel ;   Tarsus ;   1910 New Catholic Dictionary - paul, saint evangelist;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Rabbi;   Washing;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Cilicia;   Claudius;   Gamaliel;   Paul;   Tarsus;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Gama'liel;   Sim'eon;   Tar'sus,;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Gamaliel;   Philosophy;   Rab;   Scribes;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Chastening;   Cilicia;   Foot;   Gamaliel;   Lawyer;   Strait;   Tarsus;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Bet Ha-Midrash;   Saul of Tarsus;  

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
Paul waited a moment and then spoke. "I'm a Jew, just like you. Born in Tarsus and went to school here in Jerusalem. Y'all all know Gamaliel. He was my teacher. He taught me all the Jewish ways and codes. I followed all of these to a T. No one was better at it than me.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.
Legacy Standard Bible
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but having been brought up in this city, having been instructed at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today,
Bible in Basic English
I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia by birth, but I had my education in this town at the feet of Gamaliel, being trained in the keeping of every detail of the law of our fathers; given up to the cause of God with all my heart, as you are today.
Darby Translation
*I* am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to [the] exactness of the law of [our] fathers, being zealous for God, as *ye* are all this day;
New King James Version
"I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
Christian Standard Bible®
He continued, "I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,
World English Bible
"I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
and he saith) I am verily a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and accurately instructed in the law of our fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Weymouth's New Testament
"I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I was carefully trained at the feet of Gamaliel in the Law of our forefathers, and, like all of you to-day, was zealous for God.
King James Version (1611)
I am verely a man which am a Iew, borne in Tarsus a citie in Cilicia, yet brought vp in this citie at the feete of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect maner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous towards God, as ye all are this day.
Literal Translation
Indeed I am a man, a Jew having been born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but having been brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, having been trained according to the exactness of the ancestral law, being a zealous one of God, even as you allare today.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I am a man which am a Iewe, borne at Tharsis in Celicia, and broughte vp in this cite at the fete off Gamaliel, enfourmed diligently in the lawe of the fathers, and was feruent mynded to God warde, as ye all are also this daye,
Mace New Testament (1729)
then he said, I am a Jew, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, but had my education in this city: at the feet of Gamaliel I was instructed in the law, and in the exact decisions of our fathers, and was as religiously zealous as you are at this time.
THE MESSAGE
The next day, determined to get to the root of the trouble and know for sure what was behind the Jewish accusation, the captain released Paul and ordered a meeting of the high priests and the High Council to see what they could make of it. Paul was led in and took his place before them.
Amplified Bible
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being ardent and passionate for God just as all of you are today.
American Standard Version
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:
Revised Standard Version
"I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cili'cia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gama'li-el, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I am verely aman which am a Iewe borne in Tharsus a cite in Cicill: neverthelesse yet brought vp in this cite at ye fete of Gamaliel and informed diligently in the lawe of the fathers and was fervent mynded to Godwarde as ye all are this same daye
Update Bible Version
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, instructed at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God even as you all are this day:
Webster's Bible Translation
I am verily a man [who am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, being zealous towards God, as ye all are this day.
Young's Literal Translation
`I, indeed, am a man, a Jew, having been born in Tarsus of Cilicia, and brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, having been taught according to the exactitude of a law of the fathers, being zealous of God, as all ye are to-day.
New Century Version
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in the country of Cilicia, but I grew up in this city. I was a student of Gamaliel, who carefully taught me everything about the law of our ancestors. I was very serious about serving God, just as are all of you here today.
New English Translation
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated with strictness under Gamaliel according to the law of our ancestors, and was zealous for God just as all of you are today.
Berean Standard Bible
"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.
Contemporary English Version
I am a Jew, born and raised in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia. I was a student of Gamaliel and was taught to follow every single law of our ancestors. In fact, I was just as eager to obey God as any of you are today.
Complete Jewish Bible
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city and trained at the feet of Gamli'el in every detail of the Torah of our forefathers. I was a zealot for God, as all of you are today.
English Standard Version
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
Geneva Bible (1587)
I am verely a man, which am a Iew, borne in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought vp in this citie at the feete of Gamaliel, & instructed according to the perfect maner of the Lawe of the Fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
George Lamsa Translation
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Ci-li''cia, yet I was brought up in this city under the care and guidance of Ga-ma''li-el, and trained perfectly according to the law of our fathers, and was zealous toward God, just as you are also.
Hebrew Names Version
"I am indeed a Yehudi, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamli'el, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day.
International Standard Version
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today.Deuteronomy 33:3; 2 Kings 4:38; Luke 10:39; Acts 5:34; 26:5; Romans 10:2; 2 Corinthians 11:22; Galatians 1:14; Philippians 3:5;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
I am a man a Jihudoya; and I was born in Tarsos of Cilicia, but was brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and instructed perfectly in the law of our fathers. And I was zealous for Aloha, even as all of you are also.
Murdock Translation
I am a man who am a Jew; and I was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but was brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and instructed perfectly in the law of our fathers; and I was zealous for God, as ye also all are.
New Living Translation
Then Paul said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.
New Life Bible
"I am a Jew. I was born in the city of Tarsus in the country of Cilicia. When I was a young man, I lived here in Jerusalem. I went to Gamaliel's school and learned all about the Law of our early fathers. I worked hard for God as you all do today.
English Revised Version
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:
New Revised Standard
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated strictly according to our ancestral law, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I, am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but nurtured in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, - trained after the strictness of our ancestral law; being jealous for God just as, all ye, are this day;
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he saith: I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this day:
Lexham English Bible
"I am a Jewish man born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the exactness of the law received from our fathers, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
I am verily a man which am a Iewe, borne in Tarsus in Cilicia, and yet brought vp in this citie at ye feete of Gamaliel, and infourmed accordyng to the perfect maner of the lawe of ye fathers, and was zelous towarde God, as ye all are this same day.
Easy-to-Read Version
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in the country of Cilicia. I grew up in this city. I was a student of Gamaliel, who carefully taught me everything about the law of our fathers. I was very serious about serving God, the same as all of you here today.
New American Standard Bible
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the Law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.
Good News Translation
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received strict instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as dedicated to God as are all of you who are here today.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he seide, Y am a man a Jew, borun at Tharse of Cilicie, nurischid and in this citee bisidis the feet of Gamaliel, tauyt bi the treuthe of fadris lawe, a louyere of the lawe, as also ye alle ben to dai.

Contextual Overview

3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord ? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Jew: Acts 21:39, Romans 11:1, 2 Corinthians 11:22, Philippians 3:5

in Tarsus: Acts 9:11, Acts 9:30, Acts 11:25

a city: Acts 6:9, Acts 15:23, Acts 15:41, Acts 23:34, Galatians 1:21

at: Deuteronomy 33:3, 2 Kings 4:38, Luke 2:46, Luke 8:35, Luke 10:39

Gamaliel: Acts 5:34

taught: Acts 23:6, Acts 26:5, Galatians 1:14, Philippians 3:5

was: Acts 21:20, 2 Samuel 21:2, Romans 10:2, Romans 10:3, Galatians 4:17, Galatians 4:18, Philippians 3:6

Reciprocal: Leviticus 13:29 - General Numbers 25:13 - zealous 2 Kings 2:3 - thy master Ezekiel 14:1 - and sat Ezekiel 20:1 - and sat Daniel 4:2 - that Luke 4:24 - No John 16:2 - the time Acts 5:21 - But Acts 8:3 - General Acts 26:4 - which Acts 27:5 - Cilicia Galatians 1:13 - ye 2 Timothy 1:3 - whom

Cross-References

Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
Genesis 21:14
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
Genesis 22:3
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
Genesis 22:4
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
Genesis 22:17
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
Genesis 22:19
So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.
Psalms 119:60
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Luke 14:26
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I am verily a man which am a Jew,.... By birth, a thorough genuine one; an Hebrew of the Hebrews, both by father and mother side, both parents being Jews, and so a true descendant from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:

born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia; :-.

yet brought up in this city; the city of Jerusalem; though Tarsus was the place of his birth, he had his education at Jerusalem:

at the feet of Gamaliel; of whom see Acts 5:34 it was the custom of scholars among the Jews, to sit at the feet of their masters, when instructed by them; see Deuteronomy 33:3 hence that saying of Jose ben Joezer a;

"let thy house be an house of resort for the wise men, and be thou dusting thyself, בעפר רגליהם, "with the dust of their feet":''

which by one of their commentators b is interpreted two ways, either

"as if it was said that thou shouldst walk after them; for he that walks raises the dust with his feet, and he that goes after him is filled with the dust which he raises with his feet; or else that thou shouldst sit at their feet upon the ground, for so it was usual, that the master sat upon a bench, and the scholars sat at his feet upon the floor.''

This latter sense is commonly understood, and adapted to the passage here, as illustrating it; though it may be, that the sense may only be this, that the apostle boarded in Gamaliel's house, ate at his table, and familiarly conversed with him; which he modestly expresses by being brought up at his feet, who was a man that was had in great reverence with the Jews; and this sense seems the rather to be the sense of the passage, since his learning is expressed in the next clause; and since; till after Gamaliel's time, it was not usual for scholars to sit when they learned; for the tradition is c, that

"from the times of Moses to Rabban Gamaliel, they (the scholars) did not learn the law but standing; after Rabban Gamaliel died, sickness came into the world, and they learned the law sitting; and hence it is said, that after Rabban Gamaliel died, the glory of the law ceased.''

It follows,

[and] taught according to the perfect law of the fathers; not the law which the Jewish fathers received from Moses, though Paul was instructed in this, but in the oral law, the "Misna", or traditions of the elders, in which he greatly profited, and exceeded others, Galatians 1:14.

And was zealous towards God; or "a zealot of God"; one of those who were called "Kanaim", or zealots; who in their great zeal for the glory of God, took away the lives of men, when they found them guilty of what they judged a capital crime; see Matthew 10:4. The Vulgate Latin version reads, "zealous of the law"; both written and oral, the law of Moses, and the traditions of the fathers:

as ye all are this day; having a zeal for God, and the law, but not according to knowledge.

a Misn. Pirke Abot, c. 1. sect. 4. b Bartenora in Misn. Piske Abot, c. 1. sect. 4. c T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 21. 1. Vid. Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 15.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Born in Tarsus - See the notes on Acts 9:11.

Brought up in this city - In Jerusalem, sent there for the advantage of more perfect instruction in the Law.

At the feet of Gamaliel - As a scholar or disciple of Gamaliel. The phrase to sit at the feet of one is expressive of the condition of a disciple or learner. Compare Deuteronomy 33:3; Luke 10:39. It is probable that the expression arose from the fact that the learners occupied a lower place or seat than the teacher. On the character and rank of Gamaliel, see the notes on Acts 5:34. Paul mentions his having been instructed in this manner in order to show that he was entitled to the full privileges of a Jew, and that he had had every opportunity to become fully acquainted with the nature of the Law.

According to the perfect manner - κατὰ ἀκρίβειαν kata akribeian . By strict diligence or exact care; or in the utmost rigor and severity of that instruction. No pains were Spared to make him understand and practice the Law of Moses.

The law of the fathers - The law of our fathers; that is, the law which they received and handed down to us. Paul was a Pharisee, and the law in which he had been taught was not only the written Law of Moses, but the traditional law which had been handed down from former times. See the notes on Matthew 3:6.

And was zealous toward God - Galatians 1:14. He had a constant burning zeal for God and His Law, which was expressed not only by scrupulous adherence to its forms, but by persecuting all who opposed it, Acts 22:4-5.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 22:3. I am verily a man which am a Jew — A periphrasis for, I am really a Jew: and his mentioning this adds weight to the conjecture in the preceding note. He shows that he could not be ignorant of the Jewish religion, as he had had the best instructer in it which Jerusalem could produce.

Yet brought up, c.] Bp. Pearce proposes that this verse should be thus read and translated: but brought up in this city instructed at the feet of Gamaliel, according to the most exact manner, being exceedingly zealous for the law of our fathers, as ye all are this day.

Born in TarsusActs 9:11; and Acts 21:39.

Feet of Gamaliel — See a full account of this man in Clarke's note on "Acts 5:34".

It has been generally supposed that the phrase, brought up at the feet, is a reference to the Jewish custom, viz. that the disciples of the rabbins sat on low seats, or on the ground, whilst the rabbin himself occupied a lofty chair. But we rather learn, from Jewish authority, that the disciples of the rabbins stood before their teachers, as Vitringa has proved in his treatise De Synag. Vet. lib. i. p. 1, cap. 7. Kypke, therefore, contends that παρα τους ποδας, at the feet, means the same as πλησιον, near, or before, which is not an unfrequent mode of speech among both sacred and profane writers. Thus, in Acts 4:35; Acts 4:37; Acts 5:2, ετιθουν παρα τους ποδας των αποϚολων, they laid it at the apostles' feet, means only, they brought it to the apostles. So in 2 Macc. iv. 7, παρα ποδας ηδη τον ᾁδην ὁρωντες κειμενον, they saw death already lying at their feet; that is, as the Syriac translator has properly rendered it, they saw death immediately before them. So Themistius, Or. 27, p. 341, who adds the term by which the phrase is explained, εϚι και πλησιον αει τῳ δυναμενω λαμβανειν, ante pedes id temper et prope est, illi qui accipere potest. Also Lucian, De Conser. Hist. p. 669, ὡν παρα ποδας οἱ ελεγχοι. The refutation of which is at hand. The same kind of form occurs in the Hebrew, Exodus 11:8: All the people that are at thy feet, ברגליך beragleica, i.e. who are with thee, under thy command, Acts 22:2; Acts 15:16. And the king went out, and all his household, ברגליו beraglaiv, at his feet; that is, with him, in his company. See Kypke. The phrase is used in the same sense among the Hindoos: I learned this at my father's feet-instead of, I learned it of my father. I was taught at the feet of such a teacher-my teacher's feet say so; meaning, simply, such and such persons taught me.

According to the perfect manner — That is, according to that strict interpretation of the law, and especially the traditions of the elders, for which the Pharisees were remarkable. That it is Pharisaism that the apostle has in view, when he says he was taught according to, ακριβειαν, the most extinct manner, is evident; and hence, in Acts 26:5, he calls Pharisaism ακριβεστατην, the most exact system; and, under it, he was zealous towards God; scrupulously exact in every part of his duty, accompanying this with reverence to the supreme Being, and deep concern for his honour and glory.


 
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