Acts 22:21

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

American Standard Version (1901)

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.

Bible in Basic English

And he said to me, Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he said to me: Go, for unto the Gentiles afar off, will I send thee.

Free Bible Version

The Lord told me, ‘Leave now, for I am sending you far away to the foreigners.’”

Geneva Bible 1599

Then he sayd vnto me, Depart: for I will send thee farre hence vnto the Gentiles.

King James (Authorized) Version

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

Plain English Version

But our leader, Jesus, said to me, ‘No, don’t stay here. Leave Jerusalem. You see, I’m sending you a long way from here. I’m sending you to people that are not Jews.’”

Translation for Translators

But the Lord said to me, ‘No, do not stay here! Leave Jerusalem, because I am going to send you (sg) far away from here to non-Jewish people!’”

Unlocked Literal Bible

But he said to me, 'Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'”

Noah Webster Bible

And he said to me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence to the Gentiles.

World English Bible

“He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”

Young's Literal Translation

and he said unto me, Go, because to nations far off I will send thee.'

Context

Paul’s Defense to the Crowd

²⁰And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’²¹Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Sermons

1 Timothy 1:1, 2

St. John Chrysostom

Summary

In Acts 22:21, Paul recounts his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, where he was commissioned to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. This verse highlights the radical shift in Paul's mission from persecuting Christians to becoming a fervent follower of Christ. It underscores the inclusive nature of God's salvation plan, extending beyond the Jewish community to embrace all nations. Paul's testimony serves as a powerful example of God's transformative power and His ability to use even the most unlikely individuals for His divine purposes. Acts 22:21 emphasizes the universal scope of the Gospel message and the importance of sharing God's love with people from every background.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles - This was the particular appointment of St. Paul: he was the apostle of the Gentiles; for, though he preached frequently to the Jews, yet to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, and to write for the conversion and establishment of the Gentile world, were his peculiar destination. Hence we find him and his companions travelling every where; through Judea, Phoenicia, Arabia, Syria, Cilicia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, Pamphylia, Galatia, Phrygia, Macedonia, Greece, Asia, the Isles of the Mediterranean Sea, the Isles of the Aegean Sea, Italy, and some add Spain and even Britain. This was the diocess of this primitive bishop: none of the apostles traveled, none preached, none labored as this man; and, we may add, none was so greatly owned of God. The epistles of Peter, John, James, and Jude, are great and excellent; but, when compared with those of Paul, however glorious they may be, they have no glory comparatively, by reason of that glory which excelleth. Next to Jesus Christ, St. Paul is the glory of the Christian Church. Jesus is the foundation; Paul, the master-builder.