The Meaning of Acts 22:20 Explained

Acts 22:20

KJV: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

YLT: and when the blood of thy witness Stephen was being poured forth, I also was standing by and assenting to his death, and keeping the garments of those putting him to death;

Darby: and when the blood of thy witness Stephen was shed, I also myself was standing by and consenting, and kept the clothes of them who killed him.

ASV: and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  when  the blood  of thy  martyr  Stephen  was shed,  I  also  was  standing by,  and  consenting  unto his  death,  and  kept  the raiment  of them that slew  him. 

What does Acts 22:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 22:17-30 - Saved For Further Service
To the story of his conversion, as given in Acts 9:1-43, the Apostle here adds a detailed account of that memorable interview in the Temple, when he questioned the advisability of the Lord's command that he should leave Jerusalem, and received his final and irrevocable commission to go to the Gentiles. It is a great privilege to be permitted to overhear this dialogue! How close and intimate is the disciple's relationship with his Lord! God allowed Abraham, Moses, and Jeremiah to reason with Him. He does not crush down our intelligence. It is His own word, "Come, let us reason together." But there is a point beyond which we may not go, when we must accept without question the final instructions of our Captain.
A free-born Roman was Paul. More than once he had asserted his rights as a Roman citizen, as at Philippi. There are various social and political advantages which we can turn to account in our service of the gospel, but they cannot carry us very far, and ultimately we are better off if we step out upon the unwonted waters, simply because Jesus says, Come! [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 22

1  Paul declares how he was converted to the faith,
17  and called to his apostleship
22  At the very mentioning of the Gentiles the people exclaim on him
24  He would have been scourged;
25  but claiming the privilege of a Roman, he escapes

Greek Commentary for Acts 22:20

Was shed [εχεχυννετο]
Imperfect passive of εκχυννω — ekchunnō (see note on Matthew 23:35), was being shed. [source]
Witness [μαρτυρος]
And “martyr” also as in Revelation 2:13; Revelation 17:6. Transition state for the word here. I also was standing by (και αυτος ημην επεστως — kai autos ēmēn ephestōs). Periphrastic second past perfect in form, but imperfect (linear) in sense since εστωσισταμενος — hestōŝhistamenos (intransitive). Consenting The very word used by Luke in Acts 8:1 about Paul. Koiné{[28928]}š word for being pleased at the same time with (cf. Luke 11:48). Paul adds here the item of “guarding the clothes of those who were slaying Paul recalls the very words of protest used by him to Jesus. He did not like the idea of running away to save his own life right where he had helped slay Stephen. He is getting on dangerous ground. [source]
I also was standing by [και αυτος ημην επεστως]
Periphrastic second past perfect in form, but imperfect (linear) in sense since εστωσισταμενος — hestōŝhistamenos (intransitive). [source]
Consenting [συνευδοκων]
The very word used by Luke in Acts 8:1 about Paul. Koiné{[28928]}š word for being pleased at the same time with (cf. Luke 11:48). Paul adds here the item of “guarding the clothes of those who were slaying Paul recalls the very words of protest used by him to Jesus. He did not like the idea of running away to save his own life right where he had helped slay Stephen. He is getting on dangerous ground. [source]
Martyr []
Better, as Rev., witness. The special sense of the word was probably not in use at this time. See on Acts 1:22. It occurs, however, in Revelation 2:13; Revelation 17:6. [source]
Standing by []
See on Acts 22:13. [source]
Consenting [συνευδοκῶν]
See on allow, Luke 11:48; and compare Acts 8:1. [source]
Slew []
See on Luke 23:32. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 22:20

Luke 2:9 Stood by them [επεστη αυτοις]
Ingressive aorist active indicative. Stepped by their side. The same word in Acts 12:7 of the angel there. Paul uses it in the sense of standing by in Acts 22:20. It is a common old Greek word, επιστημι — ephistēmi sore afraid First aorist passive indicative with cognate accusative (the passive sense gone), they feared a great fear. [source]
Acts 4:1 Came upon [ἐπέστησαν]
Or stood by them, suddenly. Compare Luke 24:4; Acts 22:20; Acts 23:11. Of dreams orvisions, to appear to. [source]
Acts 21:28 All men everywhere [παντα πανταχηι]
Alliterative. Πανταχηι — Pantachēi is a variation in MSS., often πανταχου — pantachou and here only in the N.T. The charges against Paul remind one of those against Stephen (Acts 6:13) in which Paul had participated according to his confession (Acts 22:20). Like the charges against Stephen and Jesus before him truth and falsehood are mixed. Paul had said that being a Jew would not save a man. He had taught the law of Moses was not binding on Gentiles. He did hold, like Jesus and Stephen, that the temple was not the only place to worship God. But Paul gloried himself in being a Jew, considered the Mosaic law righteous for Jews, and was honouring the temple at this very moment. And moreover also he brought Greeks also into the temple (ετι τε και ελληνας εισηγαγεν εις το ιερον — eti te kai Hellēnas eisēgagen eis to hieron). Note the three particles (ετι τε και — eti te kai), and (τε — te) still more (ετι — eti) also or even (και — kai). Worse than his teaching (διδασκων — didaskōn) is his dreadful deed: he actually brought (εισηγαγεν — eisēgagen second aorist active indicative of εισαγω — eisagō). This he had a right to do if they only went into the court of the Gentiles. But these Jews mean to imply that Paul had brought Greeks beyond this court into the court of Israel. An inscription was found by Clermont-Ganneau in Greek built into the walls of a mosque on the Via Dolorosa that was on the wall dividing the court of Israel from the court of the Gentiles. Death was the penalty to any Gentile who crossed over into the Court of Israel (The Athenaeum, July, 1871). Hath defiled this holy place Present perfect active of κοινοω — Koinoō to make common (See note on Acts 10:14). Note vivid change of tense, the defilement lasts (state of completion). All this is the substance of the call of these shrewd conspirators from Ephesus, Jews (not Jewish Christians, not even Judaizers) who hated him for his work there and who probably “spoke evil of the Way before the multitude” there so that Paul had to separate the disciples from the synagogue and go to the School of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9.). These enemies of Paul had now raised the cry of “fire” and vanish from the scene completely (Acts 24:19). This charge was absolutely false as we shall see, made out of inferences of hate and suspicion. [source]
Acts 4:1 The Sadducees [οι Σαδδουκαιοι]
Most of the priests were Sadducees now and all the chief priests since John Hyrcanus I deserted the Pharisees (Josephus, Ant. XVII. 10, 6; XVIII. 1, 4; XX. 9, 1). The Sadducees were slow to line up with the Pharisees against Jesus, but they now take the lead against Peter and John. Came upon them (επεστησαν αυτοις — epestēsan autois). Second aorist active indicative (intransitive). Burst upon them suddenly or stood by them in a hostile attitude here (Luke 20:1; Luke 24:4; Acts 6:12; Acts 17:5; Acts 22:20; Acts 23:11). [source]
Acts 4:1 Came upon them [επεστησαν αυτοις]
Second aorist active indicative (intransitive). Burst upon them suddenly or stood by them in a hostile attitude here (Luke 20:1; Luke 24:4; Acts 6:12; Acts 17:5; Acts 22:20; Acts 23:11). [source]
Acts 5:28 To bring upon us [επαγαγειν επ ημας]
Note repetition of επι — epi Second aorist active infinitive of επαγω — epagō old verb, but in the N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:5. The Sanhedrin gladly took the blood of Christ on their heads and their children to Pilate (Matthew 27:25). Paul tried to save the Jews (Acts 18:6; Acts 22:20). “This man” (του αντρωπου τουτου — tou anthrōpou toutou). Contemptuous slur and refusal to call the name of Jesus as in the Talmud later. [source]
1 Timothy 6:13 Witnessed a good confession [μαρτυρήσαντος τὴν καλὴν ὁμολογίαν]
Letter, the or his good confession. The phrase is unique. The good confession is the historical confession of Jesus before Pilate, which is the warrant for the truthfulness of Timothy's confession. Christ is called “the faithful and true witness ” ( μάρτυς ), Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. It is true that μάρτυς was used very early of those who laid down their lives for the truth (see Acts 22:20; Revelation 2:13), and Polycarp speaks of τὸ μαρτύριον τοῦ σταυροῦ thewitness of the cross (Phil. vii.); but this did not become general until after the end of the second century. [source]
1 Peter 5:1 Witness [μάρτυς]
The word is used in the New Testament to denote (a) a spectator or eye-witness (Acts 10:39; Acts 6:13). (b) One who testifies to what he has seen (Acts 1:8; Acts 5:32). (c) In the forensic sense, a witness in court (Matthew 26:65; Mark 14:63). (d) One who vindicates his testimony by suffering: a martyr (Acts 22:20; Hebrews 12:1; Revelation 2:13; Revelation 17:6). The first three meanings run into each other. The eye-witness, as a spectator, is always such with a view to giving testimony. Hence this expression of Peter cannot be limited to the mere fact of his having seen what he preached; especially since, when he wishes to emphasize this fact, he employs another word, ἐπόπτης (2 Peter 1:16). Therefore he speaks of himself as a witness, especially in the sense of being called to testify of what he has seen. [source]
Revelation 2:13 Holdest fast my name [κρατεω]
Present active indicative of Κυριος Καισαρ — krateō “dost keep on holding,” as in Revelation 2:25, Revelation 3:11. This church refused to say Κυριος Ιησους — Kurios Kaisar (Martyrd. Polyc. 8f.) and continued to say ουκ ηρνησω — Kurios Iēsous (1 Corinthians 12:3). They stood true against the emperor-worship.Didst not deny (αρνεομαι — ouk ērnēsō). First aorist middle second person singular of την πιστιν μου — arneomai Reference to a specific incident not known to us.My faith Objective genitive, “thy faith in me.”Of Antipas (Αντιπα — Antipas). Indeclinable in this form. It is possible that ο μαρτυς μου — Antipa (genitive) was really written, though unimportant as the nominative follows in apposition. Nothing is really known of this early martyr in Pergamum before the writing of the Apocalypse. One legend is that he was burnt to death in a brazen bull. Other martyrs followed him at Pergamum (Agathonice, Attalus, Carpus, Polybus).My witness Nominative in apposition with a genitive as in Revelation 1:5 (with ablative), common solecism in the Apocalypse. “Witness” as Jesus had said they should be (Acts 1:8) and Stephen was (Acts 22:20) and others were (Revelation 17:6). The word later (by third century) took on the modern meaning of martyr.My faithful one (μου — ho pistos mou). Nominative also, with απεκταντη — mou also. Jesus gives Antipas his own title (Swete) as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. Faithful unto death.Was killed First aorist passive indicative of παρ υμιν — apokteinō this passive form common in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:15, Revelation 9:18, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 19:21).Among you (οπου ο Σατανας κατοικει — par humin). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, “where Satan dwells” (hopou ho Satanās katoikei), repeated for emphasis. [source]
Revelation 2:13 My faith [Αντιπας]
Objective genitive, “thy faith in me.”Of Antipas (Αντιπα — Antipas). Indeclinable in this form. It is possible that ο μαρτυς μου — Antipa (genitive) was really written, though unimportant as the nominative follows in apposition. Nothing is really known of this early martyr in Pergamum before the writing of the Apocalypse. One legend is that he was burnt to death in a brazen bull. Other martyrs followed him at Pergamum (Agathonice, Attalus, Carpus, Polybus).My witness Nominative in apposition with a genitive as in Revelation 1:5 (with ablative), common solecism in the Apocalypse. “Witness” as Jesus had said they should be (Acts 1:8) and Stephen was (Acts 22:20) and others were (Revelation 17:6). The word later (by third century) took on the modern meaning of martyr.My faithful one (μου — ho pistos mou). Nominative also, with απεκταντη — mou also. Jesus gives Antipas his own title (Swete) as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. Faithful unto death.Was killed First aorist passive indicative of παρ υμιν — apokteinō this passive form common in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:15, Revelation 9:18, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 19:21).Among you (οπου ο Σατανας κατοικει — par humin). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, “where Satan dwells” (hopou ho Satanās katoikei), repeated for emphasis. [source]
Revelation 2:13 My witness [ο πιστος μου]
Nominative in apposition with a genitive as in Revelation 1:5 (with ablative), common solecism in the Apocalypse. “Witness” as Jesus had said they should be (Acts 1:8) and Stephen was (Acts 22:20) and others were (Revelation 17:6). The word later (by third century) took on the modern meaning of martyr.My faithful one (μου — ho pistos mou). Nominative also, with απεκταντη — mou also. Jesus gives Antipas his own title (Swete) as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. Faithful unto death.Was killed First aorist passive indicative of παρ υμιν — apokteinō this passive form common in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:15, Revelation 9:18, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 19:21).Among you (οπου ο Σατανας κατοικει — par humin). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, “where Satan dwells” (hopou ho Satanās katoikei), repeated for emphasis. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 22:20 mean?

And when was poured out the blood of Stephen the witness of You also I myself was standing by consenting watching over the garments of those killing him
καὶ ὅτε ἐξεχύννετο τὸ αἷμα Στεφάνου τοῦ μάρτυρός σου καὶ αὐτὸς ἤμην ἐφεστὼς συνευδοκῶν φυλάσσων τὰ ἱμάτια τῶν ἀναιρούντων αὐτόν

ἐξεχύννετο  was  poured  out 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐκχέω 
Sense: to pour out, shed forth.
αἷμα  blood 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: αἷμα  
Sense: blood.
Στεφάνου  of  Stephen 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Στέφανοσ1  
Sense: one of the seven deacons in Jerusalem and the first Christian martyr.
μάρτυρός  witness 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: μάρτυς 
Sense: a witness.
σου  of  You 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
αὐτὸς  I  myself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐφεστὼς  standing  by 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐφίστημι  
Sense: to place at, place upon, place over.
συνευδοκῶν  consenting 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: συνευδοκέω  
Sense: to be pleased together with, to approve together (with others).
φυλάσσων  watching  over 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: φυλάσσω  
Sense: to guard.
ἱμάτια  garments 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἱμάτιον  
Sense: a garment (of any sort).
τῶν  of  those 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀναιρούντων  killing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἀναιρέω  
Sense: to take up, to lift up (from the ground).