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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 22:2 When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/22-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/44_Act_22_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 22:2 - Paul's Defense to the Crowd" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. 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Then Paul said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/22.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And having heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he says,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became <i>even</i> more quiet; and he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter; and he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet. And he continued,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they heard that he was addressing them in Aramaic, they became even quieter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when they heard that he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When the crowd heard Paul speak to them in Aramaic, they became even quieter. Then Paul said: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when they heard that he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the mob heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then Paul continued,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even quieter; and Paul went on: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet, and he continued:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />(When they heard that he was addressing them in Aramaic, they became even quieter.) Then Paul said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />(And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/22.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And on hearing him address them in Hebrew, they kept all the more quiet; and he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they having heard that he was speaking to them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more silent, and he says,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/22.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And having heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he says,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they having heard that in the Hebrew dialect he was speaking to them, gave the more silence, and he saith, -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />(And having heard that he spake to them in Hebrew dialect, they held more silence: and he says,)<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />(And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when they heard him speaking to them in the Hebrew language, they offered a greater silence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When they heard him addressing them in Hebrew they became all the more quiet. And he continued,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When they heard him addressing them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then he said:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when they heard him speak to them in the Hebrew tongue (Aramaic), they were the more quiet: And he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/22.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And when they heard that he was speaking Judean Aramaic with them, they were all the more quiet, and he said to them:<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/22.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept the greater silence. And he said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/22.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And hearing that he was speaking to them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept silent the more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/22.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then when they heard that he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence: and he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/22.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />when they perceiv'd he talk'd Hebrew, they were the more silent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/22.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And on hearing him address them in Hebrew, they kept all the more quiet; and he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/22.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And, hearing that he was speaking to them in the Hebrew language, they kept more quiet;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/22.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />---(and when they heard that he spake to them in the Hebrew dialect, they the more <i>readily</i> kept silence, and he said,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/22-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=7348" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/22.htm">Paul's Defense to the Crowd</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">When</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akousantes (V-APA-NMP) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">they heard</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/4377.htm" title="4377: prosephōnei (V-IIA-3S) -- From pros and phoneo; to sound towards, i.e. Address, exclaim, summon.">him speak to</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1446.htm" title="1446: Hebraidi (Adj-DFS) -- The Hebrew language, or rather: Aramaic. From Eber; the Hebraistic or Jewish language.">in Hebrew,</a> <a href="/greek/1258.htm" title="1258: dialektō (N-DFS) -- Language, speech, conversation, manner of speaking. From dialegomai; a discourse, i.e. dialect."></a> <a href="/greek/3930.htm" title="3930: pareschon (V-AIA-3P) -- From para and echo; to hold near, i.e. Present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion.">they became</a> <a href="/greek/3123.htm" title="3123: mallon (Adv) -- More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.">even more</a> <a href="/greek/2271.htm" title="2271: hēsychian (N-AFS) -- Quietness, stillness, silence. Feminine of hesuchios; stillness, i.e. Desistance from bustle or language.">silent.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/5346.htm" title="5346: phēsin (V-PIA-3S) -- To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.">Paul declared,</a> </span> <span class="reftext">3</span>“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Acts 21:40</a></span><br />Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Acts 26:14</a></span><br />We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-29.htm">Acts 9:29</a></span><br />He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-6.htm">Acts 2:6</a></span><br />And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Acts 6:1</a></span><br />In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-27.htm">Acts 9:27</a></span><br />Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-37.htm">Acts 21:37</a></span><br />As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-1.htm">Acts 26:1</a></span><br />Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Acts 9:1-2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-16.htm">Acts 13:16</a></span><br />Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-2.htm">Acts 26:2-3</a></span><br />“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews, / especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3-5</a></span><br />As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-39.htm">Acts 21:39</a></span><br />But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-9.htm">Acts 26:9-11</a></span><br />So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-20.htm">Acts 9:20-22</a></span><br />Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” / All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” / But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">(And when they heard that he spoke in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he said,)</p><p class="hdg">in.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Acts 21:40</a></b></br> And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto <i>them</i> in the Hebrew tongue, saying,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/19-30.htm">Address</a> <a href="/acts/9-2.htm">Addressed</a> <a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Addressing</a> <a href="/john/20-16.htm">Aramaic</a> <a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Dialect</a> <a href="/acts/21-20.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/acts/21-20.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Hebrew</a> <a href="/acts/21-36.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Language</a> <a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Silence</a> <a href="/acts/21-39.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/acts/20-30.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/20-11.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/acts/21-40.htm">Tongue</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/10-1.htm">Address</a> <a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Addressed</a> <a href="/acts/27-31.htm">Addressing</a> <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Aramaic</a> <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Dialect</a> <a href="/acts/22-7.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/acts/22-18.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Hebrew</a> <a href="/acts/22-12.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Language</a> <a href="/acts/22-22.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/romans/12-12.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/romans/16-25.htm">Silence</a> <a href="/acts/22-14.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/acts/22-9.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/22-9.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Tongue</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/22-1.htm">Paul declares how he was converted to the faith,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/22-17.htm">and called to his apostleship.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/22-22.htm">At the very mentioning of the Gentiles the people exclaim on him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/22-24.htm">He would have been scourged;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/22-25.htm">but claiming the privilege of a Roman, he escapes.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew</b><br>The use of Hebrew here likely refers to Aramaic, the common language spoken by the Jewish people in Jerusalem at the time. This choice of language by Paul is significant as it establishes a connection with his audience, showing respect and understanding of their cultural and religious identity. Speaking in their native tongue would have immediately captured their attention and demonstrated Paul's deep roots in Jewish tradition. This moment reflects Paul's strategic approach to ministry, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/9-20.htm">1 Corinthians 9:20</a>, where he adapts to his audience to win them over for Christ.<p><b>they became even more silent</b><br>The crowd's increased silence indicates their heightened interest and respect for what Paul was about to say. This reaction underscores the power of language and cultural identity in communication. The silence also sets the stage for the gravity of Paul's testimony, as he prepares to share his dramatic conversion experience. This moment of silence can be seen as a divine pause, allowing the Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of the listeners for the message of the Gospel.<p><b>Then Paul declared</b><br>Paul's declaration marks the beginning of his defense and testimony before the Jewish crowd. This is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Acts, as Paul recounts his personal encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. His testimony serves as a powerful witness to the transformative power of Christ, fulfilling the role of a witness as described in <a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a>. Paul's boldness in declaring his faith, despite the potential for persecution, exemplifies the courage and conviction that comes from a life changed by Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul (Saul of Tarsus)</a></b><br>A former persecutor of Christians who became a devoted apostle of Jesus Christ. In this passage, he is addressing a Jewish audience in Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where Paul is speaking. It is a central location for Jewish worship and the early Christian church.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/hebrew_language.htm">Hebrew Language</a></b><br>The language Paul uses to address the crowd, which captures their attention and respect, as it is the sacred language of the Jewish people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_crowd.htm">The Jewish Crowd</a></b><br>The audience to whom Paul is speaking. They are initially hostile but become more attentive when Paul speaks in Hebrew.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/roman_authority.htm">Roman Authority</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context involves Roman oversight, as Paul is addressing the crowd after being arrested by Roman soldiers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_language.htm">The Power of Language</a></b><br>Paul’s use of Hebrew demonstrates the importance of speaking to people in a way that resonates with them. In ministry, understanding and respecting cultural and linguistic contexts can open doors for effective communication.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_heritage.htm">Respect for Heritage</a></b><br>Paul’s choice to speak in Hebrew shows his respect for his Jewish heritage. Christians can learn to honor their backgrounds while sharing the gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/strategic_evangelism.htm">Strategic Evangelism</a></b><br>Paul’s approach is a model for strategic evangelism. He uses his knowledge and background to connect with his audience, showing that understanding your audience is crucial in sharing the gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_witnessing.htm">Courage in Witnessing</a></b><br>Despite being in a hostile environment, Paul boldly shares his testimony. Christians are encouraged to be courageous in sharing their faith, even when facing opposition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_testimony.htm">The Role of Testimony</a></b><br>Paul’s testimony is a powerful tool in his witness. Believers are reminded of the importance of sharing personal accounts of faith as a means of evangelism.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'acknowledge_him'_mean.htm">Was Paul the apostle Jewish?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_were_paul's_key_contributions.htm">What were Apostle Paul's key contributions to Christianity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_paul_claim_he_wronged_no_one.htm">(2 Corinthians 7:2) Why does Paul insist he wronged no one, yet elsewhere admits to persecuting the church (cf. Acts 22:4)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_proverbs_26_4-5_contradict.htm">Why do Proverbs 26:4-5 seem contradictory?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">They kept the more silence.</span>--The opening words had done the work they were meant to do. One who spoke in Hebrew was not likely to blaspheme the sacred Hebrew books. What follows was conceived in the same spirit of conciliation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> <span class="accented">- Unto them in the Hebrew language</span> for <span class="accented">in the Hebrew tongue to them</span>, A.V.; were <span class="accented">the more quiet</span> for <span class="accented">kept the more silence</span>, A.V. <span class="cmt_word">When they heard</span>, etc. This trait is wonderfully true to nature, and exhibits also St. Paul's admirable tact and self-possession. It was strikingly in harmony with his addressing them as "brethren" that he should speak to them in their own mother tongue. There is a living reality in such touches which seems at once to refute Renan's suspicion that St. Luke invented this and other of St. Paul's speeches in the later chapters of the Acts. The full report of these later speeches is abundantly accounted for by the fact that through this time St. Luke was with St. Paul, and heard the speeches. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/22-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[When]</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they heard</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀκούσαντες</span> <span class="translit">(akousantes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him speak to</span><br /><span class="grk">προσεφώνει</span> <span class="translit">(prosephōnei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4377.htm">Strong's 4377: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and phoneo; to sound towards, i.e. Address, exclaim, summon.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(autois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Aramaic,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἑβραΐδι</span> <span class="translit">(Hebraidi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1446.htm">Strong's 1446: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Hebrew language, or rather: Aramaic. From Eber; the Hebraistic or Jewish language.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they became</span><br /><span class="grk">παρέσχον</span> <span class="translit">(pareschon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3930.htm">Strong's 3930: </a> </span><span class="str2">From para and echo; to hold near, i.e. Present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even more</span><br /><span class="grk">μᾶλλον</span> <span class="translit">(mallon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3123.htm">Strong's 3123: </a> </span><span class="str2">More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">silent.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡσυχίαν</span> <span class="translit">(hēsychian)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2271.htm">Strong's 2271: </a> </span><span class="str2">Quietness, stillness, silence. Feminine of hesuchios; stillness, i.e. Desistance from bustle or language.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="grk">Καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Paul] declared,</span><br /><span class="grk">φησίν</span> <span class="translit">(phēsin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5346.htm">Strong's 5346: </a> </span><span class="str2">To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/22-2.htm">Acts 22:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/22-2.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 22:2 When they heard that he spoke (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/22-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 22:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 22:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/22-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 22:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 22:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>