Acts 26:10 (KJV)

What does Acts 26:10 mean?

Acts 26:10 describes how Paul, before becoming a follower of Jesus, imprisoned many Christians in Jerusalem and supported their execution, acting under the authority given to him by the chief priests. Paul openly admits that he voted against these believers when they were put to death.

In this verse, Paul is speaking to King Agrippa, recounting his past actions as a persecutor of Christians. He emphasizes both the extent of his opposition—imprisoning "many of the saints"—and his active role in their punishment, showing how seriously he once opposed the early church. This confession sets the stage for Paul to explain the dramatic change in his life that follows.

The Greek behind Acts 26:10

• The word for "saints" is ἅγιος (hagios), meaning "holy ones" or "set-apart ones," which was an early term for Christians. This highlights that Paul targeted those recognized as devoted followers of Jesus.
• The phrase "gave my voice" uses the Greek ψῆφος (psēphos), which literally means "pebble" and refers to casting a vote, as in a formal decision or judgment. Paul is saying he actively participated in condemning Christians, not just passively observing.
• The word for "authority" is ἐξουσία (exousia), meaning official power or delegated right. Paul acted with legal backing from the religious leaders, not as a rogue individual.

Why Acts 26:10 matters

• This verse clarifies that Paul was not just a bystander but an active and official participant in the persecution of early Christians, even to the point of supporting their deaths.
• By admitting his past actions so openly, Paul shows the depth of the transformation that took place in his life, which is a key theme in his testimony before Agrippa.
• The verse connects Paul's story to the broader narrative of the early church's suffering and the official opposition it faced from religious authorities in Jerusalem.