ACTS 21:37–22:21
PAUL ADDRESSES THE CROWD AND BEARS WITNESS TO HIS CONVERSION
Text – Acts 21:37–22:21
37 As Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” He replied, “Do you know Greek?”
38 “Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand Sicarii out into the wilderness?”
39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.”
40 When he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in Hebrew,
22:1 “My brothers and fathers, listen to what I am about to say to you in my defense.”
2 When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew they became all the more quiet.
3 He continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict observance of the law of our ancestors, and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.
4 I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison.
5 Even the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify on my behalf. For from them I even received letters to the brothers and went to Damascus to bring back in chains to Jerusalem those who were there for punishment.
6 On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me.
7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8 I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’
9 My companions saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me.
10 I said, ‘What shall I do, sir?’ And the Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do.’
11 Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light, I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus.
12 A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
13 came to me and stood there and said, ‘Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him.
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice,
15 for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard.
16 Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.’
17 After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
18 and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry, leave Jerusalem at once, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
19 I replied, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you.
20 And when the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself stood by and approved and guarded the cloaks of those who killed him.’
21 But he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’
Historical and Jewish Context
Public defenses (apologia) before a hostile audience were common in the ancient world. Paul’s use of Hebrew (Aramaic) establishes solidarity with his Jewish hearers. By invoking his training under Gamaliel—one of the most respected Pharisaic teachers—Paul demonstrates impeccable Jewish credentials. His vision on the road to Damascus follows the biblical pattern of divine call narratives marked by light, falling, and commission. Ananias’ description as devout according to the Law underscores continuity with Israel’s faith. Paul’s prayer in the Temple situates his Christian vocation within Jewish worship, while the mission to the Gentiles fulfills prophetic hopes of universal salvation.
Catholic Theological Perspective
Paul’s testimony centers on grace, not self-justification. Conversion is revealed as God’s initiative: Jesus identifies Himself with the persecuted Church, showing the deep union between Christ and His Body. Baptism is explicitly linked to the washing away of sins and calling on the name of Jesus, affirming sacramental rebirth. Paul’s mission flows from prayer and obedience, even when it leads away from familiarity and acceptance. The Gospel is presented as fulfillment, not negation, of Israel’s faith—yet it necessarily opens outward to the nations.
Parallels in Scripture
Acts 9:1–19 – The original account of Paul’s conversion
Acts 26:9–18 – Paul’s testimony before Agrippa
Isaiah 6:1–8 – Prophetic call and mission
Jeremiah 1:4–10 – Commission to the nations
Romans 6:3–4 – Baptism and new life
Key Terms
Defense (Apologia) – Reasoned testimony of faith
Zealous for God – Sincerity prior to conversion
Jesus the Nazorean – The risen Lord identifying Himself
The Righteous One – Messianic title
Baptized – Washing away of sins
Sent to the Gentiles – Universal mission of the Church
Catholic Liturgical Significance
Acts 21:37–22:21 is proclaimed during the Easter Season, highlighting conversion, baptism, and missionary witness as fruits of the Resurrection.
Conclusion
Acts 21:37–22:21 presents conversion as a transforming encounter with the risen Christ that reorients identity, mission, and destiny. Paul’s witness shows that grace can transform even the fiercest opposition into faithful service, sending the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Reflection
How has Christ encountered me personally in my life?
Do I see my faith story as a witness to God’s grace?
Am I open to being sent beyond my comfort for the sake of the Gospel?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You called Paul from darkness into light. Renew my baptismal grace, deepen my love for You, and give me courage to bear witness to what You have done in my life, wherever You may send me. Amen.