22:19a
Lord: This word means “the one in authority over others” or “master.” Jesus rules over all things. See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 21:13.
I answered: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I answered is literally “I said.” But Paul responded to what Jesus said here so some English versions translate “said” as answered or “replied.”
The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase I answered at the beginning of the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language.
they know very well: This clause in Greek is literally “they they-know.” The separate pronoun emphasizes the fact that the Jews knew what Paul had done. If possible, emphasize this clause. Some ways to do that in English are:
They themselves know (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
They know very well (Good News Translation)
-or-
They are the ones who know
they: The Greek word here is literally “themselves.” It refers to the same group as “the people” in 22:18. For example:
they themselves (English Standard Version)
22:19b–c
in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat: This clause indicates that in the past Paul imprisoned and beat people more than once. At the time he was speaking these words in chapter 22, he no longer imprisoned or beat people. Other ways to translate this clause are:
I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat (New International Version)
-or-
in the various synagogues I imprisoned and beat
22:19b
in one synagogue after another I: Paul did not already know who the Christians were. It is implied that he searched or asked the local Jewish authorities which Jews believed in Jesus.
Some languages must add the implied information for the correct meaning. For example:
I went from one synagogue to another ⌊and searched for⌋
-or-
I ⌊asked about⌋ who believed in you in many synagogues and imprisoned and beat those ⌊whom I found⌋.
in one synagogue after another: Most Jewish villages had a synagogue. The synagogue leader was the most likely person who would know which Jews believed in Jesus. So Paul went there in each village he visited. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
used to go from synagogue to synagogue (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
in one synagogue after another I used to (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
went to synagogues
Some English versions translated this phrase as “in every synagogue.” But Paul probably did not visit every synagogue in Judea, let alone throughout the world.
synagogue: A synagogue was a building where Jews gathered to pray, read scripture, teach, and worship. The Jews also gathered there for cultural activities. Other ways to translate this word are:
prayer-house of the Jews
-or-
meeting-place of the Jews
-or-
building where Jews worshiped and taught
-or-
house for Jews to gather together
See how you translated this word in 6:9 or 18:4.
22:19c
imprisoned: Paul forced believers to be locked in prison. Another way to translate this word is:
put them in prison
See how you translated this in 22:4 (“throwing them into prison”).
beat: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beat can refer to beating someone with the hand or fist, with a rod, or whipping with a whip. Here it was probably with a rod or a whip. Translate in a way that indicates or implies a rod or whip. See how you translated this word in 5:40 (“flogged”).
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