Acts 22:15

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) Thou shalt be his witness.—This mission, identical with that which had been assigned to the Twelve (Acts 1:8), virtually placed the persecutor on a level with them, and was equivalent to his appointment as an Apostle.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

22:12-21 The apostle goes on to relate how he was confirmed in the change he had made. The Lord having chosen the sinner, that he should know his will, he is humbled, enlightened, and brought to the knowledge of Christ and his blessed gospel. Christ is here called that Just One; for he is Jesus Christ the righteous. Those whom God has chosen to know his will, must look to Jesus, for by him God has made known his good-will to us. The great gospel privilege, sealed to us by baptism, is the pardon of sins. Be baptized, and wash away thy sins; that is, receive the comfort of the pardon of thy sins in and through Jesus Christ, and lay hold on his righteousness for that purpose; and receive power against sin, for the mortifying of thy corruptions. Be baptized, and rest not in the sign, but make sure of the thing signified, the putting away of the filth of sin. The great gospel duty, to which by our baptism we are bound, is, to seek for the pardon of our sins in Christ's name, and in dependence on him and his righteousness. God appoints his labourers their day and their place, and it is fit they should follow his appointment, though it may cross their own will. Providence contrives better for us than we do for ourselves; we must refer ourselves to God's guidance. If Christ send any one, his Spirit shall go along with him, and give him to see the fruit of his labours. But nothing can reconcile man's heart to the gospel, except the special grace of God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For thou shalt be his witness ... - As an apostle - to testify to all people that the Messiah has come, that he has died, that he has risen, and that he is the Saviour of the world.

Of what thou hast seen and heard - Of the remarkable proof which has been furnished you of the divine mission and character of the Lord Jesus.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. that thou shouldest … see that—"the"

Just One—compare Ac 3:14; 7:52.

hear the voice of his mouth—in order to place him on a level with the other apostles, who had "seen the [risen] Lord."

Matthew Poole's Commentary

His witness; the apostles were in a more special manner Christ’s witnesses; as Luke 24:48 John 1:7 Acts 1:8; God giving them extraordinary gifts, not for their own sakes chiefly, but to profit others withal; as the tree bears not fruit, nor the field yields its increase, for itself.

Of what thou hast seen and heard; not that St. Paul’s commission extended only to the publishing this wonder at his conversion: for he was intrusted with the gospel, and had that treasure in his earthen vessel: but this miracle is expressly mentioned, because it was unto him and others a great confirmation of the truths which he believed himself, and recommended to the faith of others. And therefore in the course of his ministry he mentions this frequently; as here in this place, and before king Agrippa, Acts 26:16 1 Corinthians 9:1; as also 1 Corinthians 15:8.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men,.... Gentiles as well as Jews, an eye and an ear witness to them;

of what thou hast seen and heard; as that he saw him personally and alive, and so could witness to the truth of his resurrection; for after he had been seen by all the apostles, he was last of all seen of Paul; and also, that he heard him and received from him the Gospel, and a mission and commission to preach it; for what he preached he did not receive of man, nor was he taught it by any, but he had it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Geneva Study Bible

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 22:15. μάρτυς αὐτῷ: “a witness for him,” R.V., cf. Acts 1:8.—πάντας ἀνθ.: we may see another evidence of the Apostle’s tact in that he does not yet employ the word ἔθνη.—ὧν ἑώρακας καὶ ἤκουσας, Blass well compares for the former verb the Apostle’s own words, 1 Corinthians 9:1; perfect tense, marks what was essential in giving him enduring consecration as an Apostle, cf. Blass, Gram., p. 237.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15. For thou shalt be his witness, &c.] Thus the commission of the later-called Apostle was in the same terms as those in which Christ had spoken (Acts 1:8) to the eleven before his Ascension.

unto all men] Paul does not utter the word “Gentiles” until he is forced to do so.

of what thou hast seen and heard] For by revelation the Apostle was made aware of the whole scope of Christian truth, and of those doctrines which Christ in His life on earth had communicated to the Twelve.

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 22:15. Μάρτυς, a witness) by seeing and hearing: Acts 22:14.—πάντας, all men) even the Gentiles.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - A witness for him for his witness, A.V. A witness. An essential attribute of an apostle (see Acts 1:8, 22, notes). Seen and heard (comp. 1 John 1:1-3). Acts 22:15

Vincent's Word Studies

All men

He keeps back the offensive word Gentiles (Acts 9:15).