221 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
221 "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense."
221 "Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you."
221 "My dear brothers and fathers, listen carefully to what I have to say before you jump to conclusions about me."
221 "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now."
221 "Brothers and esteemed fathers," Paul said, "listen to me as I offer my defense."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 22:1
Commentary on Acts 22:1-11
(Read Acts 22:1-11)
The apostle addressed the enraged multitude, in the customary style of respect and good-will. Paul relates the history of his early life very particularly; he notices that his conversion was wholly the act of God. Condemned sinners are struck blind by the power of darkness, and it is a lasting blindness, like that of the unbelieving Jews. Convinced sinners are struck blind as Paul was, not by darkness, but by light. They are for a time brought to be at a loss within themselves, but it is in order to their being enlightened. A simple relation of the Lord's dealings with us, in bringing us, from opposing, to profess and promote his gospel, when delivered in a right spirit and manner, will sometimes make more impression that laboured speeches, even though it amounts not to the full proof of the truth, such as was shown in the change wrought in the apostle.