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.

ACTS 26:10KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“did” Greek G2623 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 3:20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

“gave” Greek G2702 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

“voice” Greek G5586 · used in 2 verses

  • Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

“death” Greek G337 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Acts 7:28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
  • Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.