Acts 26:12
New International Version
“On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

New Living Translation
“One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests.

English Standard Version
“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

Berean Standard Bible
In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

Berean Literal Bible
during which, journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

King James Bible
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

New King James Version
“While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

New American Standard Bible
“While so engaged, as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

NASB 1995
“While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

NASB 1977
“While thus engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

Legacy Standard Bible
“While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

Amplified Bible
“While so engaged, as I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission and full power of the chief priests,

Christian Standard Bible
“I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests.

American Standard Version
Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

Contemporary English Version
King Agrippa, one day I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and permission of the chief priests.

English Revised Version
Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"I was carrying out these activities when I went to the city of Damascus. I had the power and authority of the chief priests.

Good News Translation
"It was for this purpose that I went to Damascus with authority and orders from the chief priests.

International Standard Version
"That is how I happened to be traveling to Damascus with authority based on a commission from the high priests.

Majority Standard Bible
In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

NET Bible
"While doing this very thing, as I was going to Damascus with authority and complete power from the chief priests,

New Heart English Bible
"Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

Webster's Bible Translation
Upon which as I went to Damascus, with authority and commission from the chief priests,

Weymouth New Testament
"While thus engaged, I was travelling one day to Damascus armed with authority and a commission from the High Priests,

World English Bible
“Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In which things, also, going on to Damascus—with authority and commission from the chief priests—

Berean Literal Bible
during which, journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

Young's Literal Translation
'In which things, also, going on to Damascus -- with authority and commission from the chief priests --

Smith's Literal Translation
In which also going to Damascus with authority, and superintendence from the chief priests,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whereupon when I was going to Damascus with authority and permission of the chief priest,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thereafter, as I was going to Damascus, with authority and permission from the high priest,

New American Bible
“On one such occasion I was traveling to Damascus with the authorization and commission of the chief priests.

New Revised Standard Version
“With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I was on the way to Damascus for this purpose, with authority and commission from the chief priests, when,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And while I was going for this cause to Darmsuq with the authority and approval of The Chief Priests,”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
While I was engaged in these things, and was going to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

Godbey New Testament
Meanwhile journeying to Damascus with power and authority of the chief priests, I saw on the way, O king,

Haweis New Testament
In which pursuits, even as I was going to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests,

Mace New Testament
with such views, authorized by commission from the high priests, I was on the road to Damascus:

Weymouth New Testament
"While thus engaged, I was travelling one day to Damascus armed with authority and a commission from the High Priests,

Worrell New Testament
Meanwhile as I was journeying to Damascus, with authority and a commission from the high priests,

Worsley New Testament
On which accounts as I was going to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests---at mid-day,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Testimony to Agrippa
11I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. 12In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions.…

Cross References
Acts 9:1-6
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. / As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ...

Acts 22:6-10
About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. / I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ / ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. ...

Galatians 1:13-14
For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. / I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Philippians 3:6
as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Timothy 1:13
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

2 Corinthians 11:23-25
Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. / Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. / Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

Galatians 1:23
They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”

Romans 10:2
For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.

John 16:2
They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

Matthew 10:17
But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.

Isaiah 49:1
Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Ezekiel 2:3-4
“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’

Exodus 3:10
Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”


Treasury of Scripture

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

as.

Acts 9:1,2
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, …

Acts 22:5
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.

with.

Acts 26:10
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

1 Kings 21:8-10
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth…

Psalm 94:20,21
Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? …

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Armed Authority Chief Commission Damascus Engaged High Journeyed Journeying Journeys Orders Power Priests Traveled Travelling Whereupon
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Armed Authority Chief Commission Damascus Engaged High Journeyed Journeying Journeys Orders Power Priests Traveled Travelling Whereupon
Acts 26
1. Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood;
12. and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship.
24. Festus charges him with being insane, whereunto he answers modestly.
28. Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian.
31. The whole company pronounces him innocent.














In this pursuit
The phrase "In this pursuit" refers to Paul's zealous mission to persecute Christians. The Greek word used here is "ἐν ᾧ" (en hō), which indicates the context or sphere of action. Historically, Paul, formerly known as Saul, was fervently committed to his Jewish faith and saw the early Christian movement as a threat. His pursuit was not just a casual endeavor but a passionate and determined effort to uphold what he believed was the purity of his religious tradition. This highlights the intensity of his former opposition to the followers of Jesus, which makes his later conversion all the more remarkable.

I was on my way
The phrase "I was on my way" signifies Paul's journey to Damascus. The Greek word "πορευόμενος" (poreuomenos) implies a purposeful travel or mission. This journey was not merely a physical movement but a significant turning point in Paul's life. Historically, Damascus was a major city in Syria, and Paul's journey there was part of a broader campaign to suppress the Christian faith. This phrase sets the stage for the dramatic encounter with Christ that would transform his life and mission.

to Damascus
"To Damascus" indicates the destination of Paul's journey. Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a rich history that predates the Roman Empire. In the context of Acts, Damascus was a key location for early Christians, and Paul's intent was to arrest followers of "the Way" and bring them back to Jerusalem. This geographical reference underscores the widespread influence of Christianity even in its early days and the lengths to which Paul was willing to go to stop its spread.

with the authority and commission
The phrase "with the authority and commission" highlights the official backing Paul had for his mission. The Greek words "ἐξουσίαν" (exousian) and "ἐπιτροπῆς" (epitropēs) denote power and a formal mandate, respectively. Paul was not acting on his own initiative; he was empowered by the Jewish religious leaders, specifically the Sanhedrin, to carry out his task. This underscores the institutional opposition to the early Christian movement and the seriousness with which Jewish authorities viewed the perceived threat of Christianity.

of the chief priests
"Of the chief priests" refers to the highest-ranking officials in the Jewish religious hierarchy. The chief priests were influential leaders responsible for temple worship and maintaining religious order. Their involvement in commissioning Paul indicates the level of concern and opposition the early Christian movement faced from established religious authorities. This phrase also highlights the irony of Paul's later role as a leading apostle of Christianity, given his initial endorsement by those who opposed it.

(12) With authority and commission.--The former word implies the general power delegated to him, the latter the specific work assigned to him, and for the execution of which he was responsible.

Verse 12. - Journeyed for went, A.V.; with the authority... of for with authority... from, A.V. and T.R. Commission; ἐπιτροπῆς, here only in the New Testament. But ἐπίτροπος is a "steward" (Matthew 20:8; Luke 8:3); and hence the Roman procurator was called in Greek, ἐπίτροπος, and so were governors generally, as those who acted with a delegated authority. The chief priests. In Acts 9:1 Saul is said to have applied to "the chief priest" for authority. The high priest, as president of the Sanhedrim, acted with the other chief priests (Acts 9:14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In
Ἐν (En)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

this [pursuit],
οἷς (hois)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I was on my way
πορευόμενος (poreuomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Damascus
Δαμασκὸν (Damaskon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1154: Damascus. Of Hebrew origin; Damascus, a city of Syria.

with
μετ’ (met’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

[the] authority
ἐξουσίας (exousias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

commission
ἐπιτροπῆς (epitropēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2011: Power to decide, authority, commission. From epitrepo; permission, i.e. full power.

of
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chief priests.
ἀρχιερέων (archiereōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.


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