Acts 26:9

9 "I myself thought that I should do everything I could against the cause of Jesus of Nazareth. 1

Acts 26:9 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 26:9

I verily thought with myself
This seems to be a correction of himself, why he should wonder at their ignorance and unbelief, particularly with respect to Jesus being the Messiah, and his resurrection from the dead, and expostulate with them about it; when this was once his own case, it was the real sentiments of his mind, what in his conscience he believed to be right and just; namely,

that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of
Nazareth;
to him himself, to his religion, to his Gospel, and ordinances, and people; by blaspheming his name, by denying him to be the Messiah, by condemning his religion as heresy, by disputing against his doctrines, and manner of worship, and by persecuting his followers.

Acts 26:9 In-Context

7 the very thing that the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive, as they worship God day and night. And it is because of this hope, Your Majesty, that I am being accused by these Jews!
8 Why do you who are here find it impossible to believe that God raises the dead?
9 "I myself thought that I should do everything I could against the cause of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 That is what I did in Jerusalem. I received authority from the chief priests and put many of God's people in prison; and when they were sentenced to death, I also voted against them.
11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues and tried to make them deny their faith. I was so furious with them that I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 26.9-11Acts 8.3; 22.4, 5.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.