Acts 26:4
New International Version
“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
“As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.

Berean Standard Bible
Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from my earliest childhood among my own people, and also in Jerusalem.

Berean Literal Bible
Then indeed all the Jews know my manner of life which is from youth, having been from its beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem,

King James Bible
My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

New King James Version
“My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.

New American Standard Bible
“So then, all Jews know my way of life since my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem,

NASB 1995
“So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;

NASB 1977
“So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;

Legacy Standard Bible
“So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;

Amplified Bible
“So then, all the Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation [the Jewish people], and in Jerusalem.

Christian Standard Bible
“All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

English Revised Version
My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation, and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"All the Jews know how I lived the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
"All the Jews know how I have lived ever since I was young. They know how I have spent my whole life, at first in my own country and then in Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
All the Jews know how I lived from the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from my earliest childhood among my own people in Jerusalem.

NET Bible
Now all the Jews know the way I lived from my youth, spending my life from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
"Indeed, all Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem;

Webster's Bible Translation
My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among my own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews,

Weymouth New Testament
"The kind of life I have lived from my youth upwards, as exemplified in my early days among my nation and in Jerusalem, is known to all the Jews.

World English Bible
“Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The manner of my life then, indeed, from youth—which from the beginning was among my nation, in Jerusalem—all the Jews know,

Berean Literal Bible
Then indeed all the Jews know my manner of life which is from youth, having been from its beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem,

Young's Literal Translation
'The manner of my life then, indeed, from youth -- which from the beginning was among my nation, in Jerusalem -- know do all the Jews,

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore truly my manner of life from youth, having been from the beginning in my nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews know:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And certainly, all the Jews know about my life from my youth, which had its beginning among my own people in Jerusalem.

New American Bible
My manner of living from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my people and in Jerusalem, all [the] Jews know.

New Revised Standard Version
“All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Even the Jews themselves, if they would be willing to testify, know well my manner of life from my childhood which started first among mine own people at Jerusalem.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For those Jews are also aware, if they wish to testify, of my way of life from my youth from the beginning, in my nation and in Jerusalem,”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
My course of life from my youth, which, from the beginning, was among my own nation in Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

Godbey New Testament
Moreover indeed all the Jews know my life from my youth; being from the beginning in my nation and in Jerusalem,

Haweis New Testament
The manner of my life even from my youth, which from its beginning was spent amidst my own nation at Jerusalem, know indeed all the Jews;

Mace New Testament
what course of life I led at Jerusalem, where I was brought up from my youth among those of my own nation, is known to all the Jews.

Weymouth New Testament
"The kind of life I have lived from my youth upwards, as exemplified in my early days among my nation and in Jerusalem, is known to all the Jews.

Worrell New Testament
My manner of life, therefore, from my youth, which from the first was among my own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

Worsley New Testament
My manner of life then from my youth, as it has been from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews are acquainted with,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Testimony to Agrippa
3especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently. 4Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from the earliest days of my youth, among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.…

Cross References
Philippians 3:5-6
circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

Galatians 1:13-14
For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. / I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Acts 22:3
“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 was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

Acts 23:6
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

Romans 11:1
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

2 Corinthians 11:22
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

Acts 9:1-2
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.

Acts 21:39
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.”

Acts 22:4-5
I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison, / as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.

Acts 24:14-15
I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, / and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Acts 25:8
Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Acts 28:17
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

1 Timothy 1:13
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Galatians 1:23
They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”


Treasury of Scripture

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among my own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

manner.

2 Timothy 3:10
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

which.

Acts 22:3
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Jump to Previous
Beginning Child Commencement Country Early First Indeed Jerusalem Jews Kind Life Manner Nation Passed Spent Start Upwards Way Youth
Jump to Next
Beginning Child Commencement Country Early First Indeed Jerusalem Jews Kind Life Manner Nation Passed Spent Start Upwards Way Youth
Acts 26
1. Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood;
12. and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship.
24. Festus charges him with being insane, whereunto he answers modestly.
28. Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian.
31. The whole company pronounces him innocent.














Surely all the Jews know
Paul begins his defense by appealing to the common knowledge among the Jewish people about his life. This statement underscores the transparency and public nature of his past. Paul was a well-known figure, especially among the Pharisees, a sect known for their strict adherence to the Law. His reputation was established and recognized by the Jewish community, which adds credibility to his testimony.

how I have lived from my earliest childhood
Paul emphasizes the consistency of his life and beliefs from a young age. Raised in a devout Jewish environment, he was educated in the traditions and laws of Judaism. This background is crucial as it highlights his deep roots in Jewish culture and religion, which he later contrasts with his conversion to Christianity. His early life was marked by a zealous commitment to Jewish customs, which is evident in his later persecution of Christians before his conversion.

among my own people
This phrase indicates Paul's upbringing within the Jewish community, likely in Tarsus, a city known for its cultural and educational significance. Tarsus was a major center of Hellenistic culture, yet Paul maintained his Jewish identity and practices. His life among his people suggests a strong connection to Jewish traditions and a shared cultural heritage, which would have been important in establishing his credibility with his audience.

and also in Jerusalem.
Paul's mention of Jerusalem is significant as it was the religious and cultural heart of Judaism. His time in Jerusalem would have included studying under Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee teacher, as mentioned in Acts 22:3. This education would have further ingrained in him the Pharisaic traditions and the importance of the Law. Jerusalem was also the site of the Temple, the center of Jewish worship, which underscores Paul's deep connection to Jewish religious life. His experiences in Jerusalem would have been formative, shaping his initial opposition to the Christian movement before his dramatic conversion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus)
The apostle who is giving his defense before King Agrippa. He recounts his life and conversion to Christianity.

2. The Jews
The Jewish people who were familiar with Paul's life and background, both in Tarsus and Jerusalem.

3. Jerusalem
The city where Paul was educated and where he spent a significant part of his early life, learning under Gamaliel.

4. King Agrippa
The ruler before whom Paul is making his defense. Agrippa is knowledgeable about Jewish customs and controversies.

5. Paul's Early Life
Refers to the period of Paul's life before his conversion to Christianity, highlighting his upbringing and education in Jewish traditions.
Teaching Points
Understanding Our Roots
Recognize the importance of understanding one's background and how it shapes identity and beliefs. Paul uses his background to establish credibility and connect with his audience.

The Power of Testimony
Sharing personal history can be a powerful tool in witnessing to others. Paul uses his life account to testify to the transformative power of Christ.

Cultural and Religious Context
Appreciate the significance of cultural and religious upbringing in shaping one's worldview. Paul’s Jewish upbringing was foundational to his initial zeal and later his Christian mission.

Integrity and Consistency
Live a life that is consistent and transparent, so that others can testify to your character, as Paul claims the Jews could do for him.

God's Sovereignty in Our Past
Trust that God can use every part of our past, even before knowing Him, for His purposes and glory, as seen in Paul's life.(4) My manner of life from my youth.--The Apostle refers, of course, to the time when he first came up to Jerusalem to study the Law and the traditions at the fees, of Gamaliel. (Comp. his account of the same period in Galatians 1:14; Philippians 3:5-6.)

Know all the Jews.--The noun seems to be used in its more limited meaning, as including chiefly, if not exclusively, the Jews of Judaea.

Verse 4. - Then from my youth up for for my youth. A.V.; from the beginning for at the first. A.V.; and at for at, A.V. and T.R. My manner of life, etc. The same testimony of a good conscience as that in Acts 23:1 and Acts 24:16. The word βίωσις occurs only here in the New Testament. But we find the phrase, τῆς ἐννόμου βιώσεως, "the manner of life according to the Law," in the Prologue to Ecclesiasticus and in Symmachus (Psalm 38:6), though not in classical Greek. The verb βιόω occurs in 1 Peter 4:2, and not infrequently in the LXX. From my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation, etc., having knowledge of me from the first (in ver. 5). No appeal could be stronger as to the notoriety of his whole life spent in the midst of his own people, observed and known of all. The T.R. implies that his youth was spent at Jerusalem, according to what he himself tells us in Acts 22:3. The R.T. does so less distinctly. (For St. Paul's account of his early Pharisaism, comp. Galatians 1:13, 14; Philippians 3:5, 6.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Surely
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

all
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Jews
Ἰουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

know
ἴσασι (isasi)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

how I have lived
βίωσίν (biōsin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 981: Manner of life. From bioo; living.

from
ἀπ’ (ap’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

[the] earliest days
ἀρχῆς (archēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[my] youth,
νεότητος (neotētos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3503: Youth, youthfulness. From neos; newness, i.e. Youthfulness.

among
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

my own
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

people
ἔθνει (ethnei)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

and
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

in
ἔν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Jerusalem.
Ἱεροσολύμοις (Hierosolymois)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2414: The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma


Links
Acts 26:4 NIV
Acts 26:4 NLT
Acts 26:4 ESV
Acts 26:4 NASB
Acts 26:4 KJV

Acts 26:4 BibleApps.com
Acts 26:4 Biblia Paralela
Acts 26:4 Chinese Bible
Acts 26:4 French Bible
Acts 26:4 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 26:4 Indeed all the Jews know my way (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 26:3
Top of Page
Top of Page