Acts 22:5 – “as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul continues his defense before the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, explaining just how deeply involved he was in persecuting Christians before his encounter with Jesus. He points out that the high priest and the Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin) can confirm his past actions—he wasn’t acting on his own, but with the full support of the religious leaders.

Paul had received official letters from these authorities, giving him permission to hunt down followers of Jesus in Damascus, arrest them, and bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment. This wasn’t just casual opposition—Paul was on a mission, backed by the highest religious powers in Judaism, to destroy what he saw as a dangerous movement.

By mentioning these details, Paul is making two points:

1. His audience can’t deny his past – There are living witnesses (the Jewish authorities) who can verify that he was once a fierce enemy of Christianity.
2. His conversion was radical – If a man so devoted to destroying Christians could be changed, then the only explanation is that something supernatural happened—his encounter with Jesus was real.

Historical Context

Paul is speaking to an angry Jewish crowd at the temple in Jerusalem, right after being arrested (Acts 21:27-36). The people see him as a traitor to their faith because he now preaches about Jesus. By sharing his past, Paul is trying to help them see that he was once just like them—passionate about defending Jewish traditions, even to the point of violence.

The high priest he refers to was likely Caiaphas or Annas, both of whom had previously opposed Jesus and His followers. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, had the authority to enforce Jewish law. It was this same council that had condemned Jesus to death and later ordered the apostles to stop preaching about Him (Acts 4:18, Acts 5:40).

Paul’s trip to Damascus (about 150 miles from Jerusalem) was part of his effort to wipe out Christianity beyond Judea. His zeal drove him to go beyond his home territory to find and punish believers. However, it was on the road to Damascus that Jesus appeared to him, stopping him in his tracks and changing his life forever (Acts 9:3-6).

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several powerful lessons:

1. Religious authority does not equal truth – The high priest and the Sanhedrin were the most powerful religious leaders, yet they were actively opposing God’s work. Paul himself, despite being highly educated in the Jewish faith, was fighting against God without realizing it. This shows that human authority and tradition are not always reliable—only God’s Word is.
2. Zeal without Jesus is dangerous – Paul had the right intentions (defending God’s truth), but he was going in the wrong direction. His example warns us that religious passion alone does not save—it must be grounded in the truth of Jesus Christ.
3. God’s grace reaches even the most hardened hearts – Paul’s transformation from persecutor to preacher is one of the greatest examples of God’s mercy. No matter how lost someone is, God can reach them.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s speech follows a structured defense pattern:

• He establishes credibility – He reminds the audience that he was once one of them, passionate about Jewish law.
• He presents verifiable evidence – He mentions the high priest and the Sanhedrin, proving that his past actions were well-known.
• He builds up to his transformation – He is setting the stage to explain how he went from a persecutor to a believer in Jesus.

The phrase “I even obtained letters” emphasizes Paul’s determination. He wasn’t just following orders—he actively sought out the means to persecute Christians. This shows how extreme his opposition to Christianity was before meeting Jesus.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 9:1-2 – Describes Paul’s mission to Damascus with letters from the high priest to arrest Christians.
• Acts 26:9-11 – Paul again recounts how he persecuted believers, casting his vote to put them to death.
• John 16:2 – Jesus warned His disciples that a time would come when people would think they were serving God by persecuting His followers—Paul was a perfect example of this.
• Galatians 1:13-14 – Paul describes how he once intensely persecuted the church and was advancing in Judaism beyond his peers.
• 1 Timothy 1:12-15 – Paul acknowledges that, even though he was a persecutor and a violent man, God showed him mercy so he could be an example of grace.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. No one is too far gone for God to save – If God could transform someone like Paul, who was violently opposed to Jesus, then He can save anyone. This is an encouragement to pray for those who seem far from faith.
2. Religious passion must be based on truth – Many people today are devoted to religious traditions or personal beliefs, but without Jesus, their passion is misplaced. This verse reminds us to test our beliefs against God’s Word.
3. Be careful not to fight against God – Paul thought he was defending God’s truth, but he was actually opposing Him. It’s important to seek God’s guidance and make sure we are truly following Him, not just human traditions.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse highlights God’s incredible patience and mercy. Even though Paul was actively working against Him, God did not give up on him. Instead of punishing Paul, God reached out in love and transformed his life.

This shows that God does not see people as enemies to be destroyed, but as lost souls to be saved. He does not react in anger, but in love, giving people the opportunity to turn to Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Paul’s story is a living example of what Jesus came to do—to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Even though Paul was fighting against Him, Jesus appeared to him personally and changed his heart.

Paul’s experience also proves the truth of Jesus’ words on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Paul was one of those who didn’t know what he was doing—but Jesus’ mercy extended even to him.

Finally, this verse reminds us that salvation is by grace alone. Paul did not come to Jesus by his own wisdom or effort—Jesus reached down to him. This is the same for all of us. No one earns salvation; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Paul thought he was serving God by persecuting Christians. How can we make sure our faith is truly aligned with God’s truth?
2. Do you know someone who seems too far from God? How does Paul’s story encourage you to pray for them?
3. What are some ways people today oppose God without realizing it?
4. How has God shown patience and mercy in your own life?
5. Paul received “letters of authority” to persecute Christians, but later became a messenger of the gospel. How has God repurposed your past experiences for His glory?

Paul’s words in Acts 22:5 remind us that God’s grace is greater than our worst mistakes. No matter how lost someone is, Jesus can redeem them and use them for His glory. If He could change Paul, He can change anyone!