Acts 22 · Verse 17

Acts 22:17

And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
Acts 22:17, King James Version

Acts 22:17 in other translations

BSBLater, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance
WEB“When I had returned to Jerusalem and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance
ASVAnd it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,
YLT‘And it came to pass when I returned to Jerusalem, and while I was praying in the temple, I came into a trance,
DARBYAnd it came to pass when I had returned to Jerusalem, and as I was praying in the temple, that I became in ecstasy,
BBEAnd it came about that when I had come back to Jerusalem, while I was at prayer in the Temple, my senses became more than naturally clear,
WebsterAnd it came to pass, that when I had come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

What does Acts 22:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 22:17-21
17-21. it came to pass, &c.--This thrilling dialogue between the glorified Redeemer and his chosen vessel is nowhere else related. when I was come again to Jerusalem--on the occasion mentioned in Ac 9:26-29. while I prayed in the temple--He thus calls their attention to the fact that after his conversion he kept up his connection with the temple as before.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. When I was come again to Jerusalem. That is, three years after his conversion. See Gal 1:17,18.

While I prayed in the temple. Paul, like the other converts to Christianity from among the Jews, would naturally continue to offer his devotions in the temple. We meet with repeated instances of their continuing to comply with the customs of the Jewish people.

I was in a trance. Greek, Ecstasy. Acts 10:10. Perhaps he here refers to what he elsewhere mentions, 2Cor 12:1-5, which he calls "visions and revelations of the Lord." In that place he mentions his being "caught up to the third heaven," 2Cor 12:2, and "into paradise," where he heard words which it was "not possible for a man to utter," 2Cor 12:4. It is not certain, however, that he refers in this place to that remarkable occurrence. The narrative would rather imply that the Lord Jesus appeared to him in the temple in a remarkable manner, in a vision, and gave him a direct command to go to the Gentiles. Paul had now stated the evidence of his conversion, which appears to have been satisfactory to them: at least they made no objection to his statement; he had shown by his being in the temple his respect for their institutions; and he now proceeds to show that in his other conduct he had been directed by the same high authority by which he had been called into the ministry, and that the command had been given to him in their own temple and in their own city.

(g) "in a trance" 2Cor 12:2

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 When I was come again to Jerusalem - It is likely that he refers to the first journey to Jerusalem, about three years after his conversion, Act 9:25, Act 9:26, and Gal 1:18. I was in a trance - This circumstance is not mentioned any where else, unless it be that to which himself refers in 2Cor 12:2-4, when he conceived himself transported to the third heaven; and, if the case be the same, the appearance of Jesus Christ to him, and the command given, are circumstances related only in this place.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 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…

Read the full comment on Acts 22:12-21 →

Acts 22:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἘγένετοEgenetoIt happenedG1096
δέdethenG1161
μοιmoito meG3165
ὑποστρέψαντιhupostrepsantihaving returnedG5290
εἰςeistoG1519
ἸερουσαλὴμIerousalēmJerusalemG2419
καὶkaiandG2532
προσευχομένουproseuchomenouprayingG4336
μουmouby meG3165
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtōtheG3588
ἱερῷhi'erōtempleG2411
γενέσθαιgenesthaifallingG1096
μεmeIG3165
ἐνenintoG1722
ἐκστάσειekstaseia tranceG1611

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 22:17

  • 2 Corinthians 12:1-4

    It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

  • Acts 10:9-10

    On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

  • Acts 9:26-28

    And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

  • Acts 26:20

    But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

  • Revelation 1:10

    I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

  • Galatians 1:18

    Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
when.
9:26-28; Ga 1:18
while.
10:9,10; 2Co 12:1-4; Re 1:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 22:16

    And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

  • Acts 22:17

    And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

  • Acts 22:18

    And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

Read all of Acts 22

Acts 22:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y me aconteció, vuelto á Jerusalem, que orando en el templo, fuí arrebatado fuera de mí.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or, quand je fus de retour à Jérusalem, comme je priais dans le temple, il m’arriva d’être en extase,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Es geschah mir aber, als ich nach Jerusalem zurückgekehrt war und in dem Tempel betete, daß ich in Entzückung geriet
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Factum est autem revertenti mihi in Jerusalem, et oranti in templo, fieri me in stupore mentis,