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⇱ Acts 22:22 The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, "Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!"

Bible > Acts > Chapter 22 > Verse 22
◄ Acts 22:22 ►
New International Version
The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”

New Living Translation
The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!”

English Standard Version
Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

Berean Standard Bible
The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”

Berean Literal Bible
Now they were listening to him until this word. Then they lifted up their voice, saying, "Away with such from the earth. For he is not fit to live!"

King James Bible
And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

New King James Version
And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”

New American Standard Bible
They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a man from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!”

NASB 1995
They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!”

NASB 1977
And they listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they were listening to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!”

Amplified Bible
They listened to Paul until [he made] this [last] statement, but now they raised their voices and shouted, “Away with such a man from the earth! He is not fit to live!”

Christian Standard Bible
They listened to him up to this point. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this man off the face of the earth! He should not be allowed to live! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They listened to him up to this word. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this person off the earth—it’s a disgrace for him to live!”

American Standard Version
And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

Contemporary English Version
The crowd listened until Paul said this. Then they started shouting, "Get rid of this man! He doesn't deserve to live."

English Revised Version
And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Up to that point the mob listened. Then they began to shout, "Kill him! The world doesn't need a man like this. He shouldn't have been allowed to live this long!"

Good News Translation
The people listened to Paul until he said this; but then they started shouting at the top of their voices, "Away with him! Kill him! He's not fit to live!"

International Standard Version
Up to this point they listened to him, but then they began to shout, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! He's not fit to go on living!"

NET Bible
The crowd was listening to him until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, "Away with this man from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live!"

New Heart English Bible
They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice, and said, "Rid the earth of this fellow, for he is not fit to live."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they gave him audience to this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a man from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

Weymouth New Testament
Until they heard this last statement the people listened to Paul, but now with a roar of disapproval they cried out, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! He ought not to be allowed to live."
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”

World English Bible
They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice and said, “Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn’t fit to live!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they were hearing him to this word, and they lifted up their voice, saying, “Away from the earth with such a one; for it is not fit for him to live.”

Berean Literal Bible
Now they were listening to him until this word. Then they lifted up their voice, saying, "Away with such from the earth. For he is not fit to live!"

Young's Literal Translation
And they were hearing him unto this word, and they lifted up their voice, saying, 'Away from the earth with such an one; for it is not fit for him to live.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they heard him to this word, and lifted up their voices, saying, Take away such a one from the earth: for it is not suitable for him to live.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they heard him until this word, and then lifted up their voice, saying: Away with such an one from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now they were listening to him, until this word, and then they lifted up their voice, saying: “Take this kind away from the earth! For it is not fitting for him to live!”

New American Bible
They listened to him until he said this, but then they raised their voices and shouted, “Take such a one as this away from the earth. It is not right that he should live.”

New Revised Standard Version
Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They had given Paul audience up to this word, and then they lifted up their voices, and cried out, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when they had heard Paulus up until this statement, they raised their voice and shouted, “Hang such a person above The Earth, for it is not right for him to live!”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they heard him to this word, and lifted up their voice, saying: Away with such a man from the earth! for it is not fit that he should live.

Godbey New Testament
And they continued to hear him until this word, and lifted up their voice, saying, Take away such a one from the earth: for it is not appropriate for him to live.

Haweis New Testament
And they gave him audience to this sentence, and lifted up their voice, saying, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

Mace New Testament
Till that word, the Jews had given their attention, but then they broke out into a full cry, "out of the world with such a fellow: for it is not fit he should live."

Weymouth New Testament
Until they heard this last statement the people listened to Paul, but now with a roar of disapproval they cried out, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! He ought not to be allowed to live."

Worrell New Testament
Now they were listening to him up to this word, and they lifted up their voice, saying, "Away with such a one from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live!"

Worsley New Testament
And they heard him to this word, and then they exalted their voice, saying, Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul the Roman Citizen
21Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” 22 The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!” 23As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,…

Cross References
Acts 21:36
For the crowd that followed him kept shouting, “Away with him!”

Acts 21:28-31
crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” / For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple. / The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. ...

Acts 25:24
Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him, both here and in Jerusalem, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

Acts 7:57-58
At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him. / They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Luke 23:18-23
But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” / (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) / Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, ...

John 19:15
At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.

Matthew 27:22-25
“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!” / “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” / When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” ...

Mark 15:13-14
And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!” / “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.

Acts 17:5
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.

Acts 19:28-29
When the men heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” / Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

Acts 26:21
For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.

1 Thessalonians 2:15-16
who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, / hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.

Romans 10:21
But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Isaiah 65:2-5
All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations, / to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick, / sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls. ...


Acts 7:54-57
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth…

Acts 21:36
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

Acts 25:24
And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

for.

Acts 25:24
And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

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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.














The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement.
Paul was addressing a Jewish audience in Jerusalem, recounting his conversion and mission to the Gentiles. The crowd's initial willingness to listen reflects their interest in his background as a Pharisee and his adherence to Jewish law. However, the mention of his mission to the Gentiles, which was seen as a radical departure from Jewish exclusivity, became a turning point. This moment highlights the tension between Jewish traditions and the emerging Christian mission to all nations, as seen in Acts 10 with Peter's vision and the inclusion of Cornelius.

Then they lifted up their voices and shouted,
The crowd's reaction is immediate and intense, indicating the deep-seated animosity towards the idea of Gentile inclusion without adherence to Jewish law. This reflects the cultural and religious barriers of the time, where Jews saw themselves as God's chosen people, distinct from Gentiles. The collective outcry signifies a communal rejection, reminiscent of the mob mentality seen in other parts of Acts, such as the uproar in Ephesus (Acts 19:28-34).

“Rid the earth of him!
This phrase echoes the severity of the crowd's anger, akin to the cries for Jesus' crucifixion in Luke 23:18. It underscores the perceived threat Paul posed to Jewish identity and religious purity. The demand for his removal from the earth indicates a desire for capital punishment, reflecting the extreme measures some were willing to take to protect their traditions.

He is not fit to live!”
The declaration of Paul being unworthy of life highlights the gravity of his perceived offense. In Jewish law, blasphemy and leading others astray were punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16, Deuteronomy 13:6-10). Paul's message of salvation through Christ alone, apart from the law, was seen as heretical. This reaction also parallels the rejection of prophets in the Old Testament, who were often persecuted for delivering God's message, foreshadowing the ultimate rejection and crucifixion of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who is giving his defense to the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. He is a central figure in the New Testament, known for his missionary journeys and epistles.

2. The Crowd
The Jewish audience in Jerusalem listening to Paul's defense. Their reaction is pivotal in this passage as it shows their rejection of Paul's message.

3. Jerusalem
The city where this event takes place. It is significant as the religious and cultural center for the Jewish people.

4. Paul's Defense
The speech Paul gives to explain his actions and beliefs, which includes his conversion experience and mission to the Gentiles.

5. Roman Citizenship
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Paul's Roman citizenship plays a crucial role in the events that follow, as it provides him certain legal protections.
Teaching Points
The Cost of Discipleship
Following Christ may lead to rejection and persecution, as seen in Paul's experience. Believers should be prepared for opposition when sharing the Gospel.

Courage in Witnessing
Paul demonstrates boldness in proclaiming his faith despite the hostile environment. Christians are encouraged to stand firm in their testimony.

Understanding Cultural Context
The Jewish crowd's reaction highlights the importance of understanding cultural and religious sensitivities when sharing the Gospel.

God's Sovereignty in Trials
Despite the crowd's violent reaction, God's plan for Paul continues. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty even in difficult circumstances.

The Role of Citizenship
Paul's Roman citizenship later provides him protection, illustrating how God can use our earthly status for His purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Acts 22:22?

2. Why did the crowd react violently to Paul's testimony in Acts 22:22?

3. How can we respond to rejection when sharing our faith like Paul?

4. What Old Testament prophecies relate to the rejection Paul faced in Acts 22?

5. How does Acts 22:22 challenge us to stand firm in our beliefs?

6. How can we prepare for opposition when witnessing about Christ today?

7. Why did the crowd react so violently in Acts 22:22?

8. What does Acts 22:22 reveal about human nature and prejudice?

9. How does Acts 22:22 challenge our understanding of justice and fairness?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 22?

11. Acts 22:3 – Is there any historical evidence that Paul was really trained under Gamaliel?

12. Did the voice immediately specify Paul's duties? Yes (Acts 26:16-18) or No, he was told to go to Damascus for instructions (Acts 9:7; 22:10)?

13. Acts 22:9 - Why does this account differ from Acts 9:7 regarding what Paul's companions heard and saw?

14. When Paul was on the road to Damascus he saw a light and heard a voice. Did those who were with him hear the voice? Yes (Acts9:7) No (Acts22:9)
What Does Acts 22:22 Mean
The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement

• Paul had just recounted his dramatic conversion (Acts 22:6-16) and his return to Jerusalem (22:17-20).

• Verse 21 records the “statement” that caused the explosion: “Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” The mere mention that God would extend grace to non-Jews pierced their national pride.

• Similar tolerance-turned-rage appears in Luke 4:28-29 when Jesus reminded the Nazareth synagogue that God once blessed Gentiles; they tried to throw Him off a cliff.

• Stephen’s listeners also endured his speech until he exposed their sin; then they gnashed their teeth (Acts 7:54).

• The scene underscores a sobering truth: people may politely listen to testimony until it confronts their deepest idols—then hostility surfaces.

Then they lifted up their voices

• Quiet attention becomes a unified, noisy uproar—a common pattern when crowds feel their identity threatened (compare Acts 19:28-34 in Ephesus).

• Volume often substitutes for reason; shouting drowns out truth rather than interacting with it.

• John 19:15 shows the same phenomenon around Jesus: “They shouted, ‘Crucify Him!’” The gospel provokes either heartfelt repentance or loud rejection.

and shouted, “Rid the earth of him!”

• Literally “take him away,” the same cry hurled at Jesus (Luke 23:18) and earlier at Paul in the temple courts (Acts 21:36).

• The demand is not for debate or imprisonment but elimination—sin’s instinctive response to holy confrontation (John 3:19-20).

• Ironically, the one they want removed bears the only message that can spare the earth from judgment (Romans 1:16).

“He is not fit to live!”

• The crowd pronounces a verdict of unworthiness, claiming divine authority while rejecting God’s chosen messenger.

• Jesus warned that persecutors would think they offered God a service (John 16:2).

• Paul later told Timothy, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12), affirming that such hostility is normal for faithful witness.

• Yet God uses this hostility to spread the gospel; the ensuing Roman custody will carry Paul to governors, kings, and eventually Rome (Acts 23:11; 25:23).

summary

Acts 22:22 captures the decisive moment when a receptive-sounding crowd turns murderous because Paul proclaims God’s plan for Gentiles. Their rage reveals a heart issue—prideful rejection of grace beyond their boundaries. For believers, the verse warns that faithfulness may provoke violent opposition, yet it also assures us that God’s sovereign plan moves forward through every shout, riot, and prison cell.

(22) Away with such a fellow from the earth.--The scene was ominously like that in which St. Stephen's speech ended. Immediate execution without the formality of a trial--an eager craving for the blood of the blasphemer--this was what their wild cries demanded and expressed. On the words themselves, see Note on Acts 21:36.Verse 22. - They for then, A.V.; voice for voices, A.V. Unto this word. They could not bear the idea of the Gentiles being admitted into the kingdom of God. It was a blow to their pride of exclusiveness. The leveling-up of the Gentiles seemed to be as intolerable as the leveling-down of themselves, as spoken of e.g. Isaiah 1:10; Ezekiel 16:45, etc.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[The crowd] listened
Ἤκουον (Ēkouon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

to [Paul]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

until
ἄχρι (achri)
Preposition
Strong's 891: As far as, up to, until, during. Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron; until or up to.

he made this statement.
λόγου (logou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they lifted up
ἐπῆραν (epēran)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1869: To raise, lift up. From epi and airo; to raise up.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

voices
φωνὴν (phōnēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.

[and] shouted,
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Rid
Αἶρε (Aire)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

of
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

[him]!
τοιοῦτον (toiouton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5108: (including the other inflections); from toi and houtos; truly this, i.e. Of this sort (to denote character or individuality).

He is not fit
καθῆκεν (kathēken)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2520: To come down, come to; To be unfit, proper. From kata and heko; to reach to, i.e. becoming.

to live!”
ζῆν (zēn)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.


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NT Apostles: Acts 22:22 They listened to him until he said (Acts of the Apostles Ac)