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And saw him (Jesus) saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for
they (legalistic believers) will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

Paul informs them that Jesus had previously told him in a trance that they would not listen to
him.

PAUL’S DEFENSE TO THE PEOPLE (19-21)

Paul continues explaining how the Lord has instructed him to leave Jerusalem to take the
gospel to the Gentiles.

Act 22:19 So I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who
believe on You.

Act 22:20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by
consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.'

“Lord, they know I’ve been on both sides of the fence.” Paul is rationalizing and arguing with
the Lord to stay in Jerusalem. He loves Jerusalem and even argues with the Lord over it.

Act 22:21 Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.' "

The Lord said, “Depart.” The entire ministry of Paul was “Move, move.” At this point, Paul is
telling the people that God instructed him to turn his attention from the Jews to the Gentiles,
and the mob reacts. Legalism has so perverted their thinking they now react to a racial issue.
The same leaders, a few years earlier, were thankful and desirous for Gentiles to be evangelized
(Acts 15:13-19; 11:15-18; Galatians 2:9). Now they will throw a temper tantrum. They are
beyond repentance, and Paul clearly sees it. This is why God did not want Paul to go to
Jerusalem.

MOB CALLS FOR PAUL’S LIFE (22-23)

The crowd listens to Paul’s testimony and they become enraged at the mention of Gentiles.
They want Paul’s life.

Act 22:22 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!"

The word that sends them into a rage is “Gentiles.” They now want to kill Paul. They are calling
for capital punishment. They are pressuring the Romans for the full extent of the law.

Act 22:23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air,

They cannot get to Paul, so they vent their anger by throwing temper tantrums. They are
typical of legalistic people who hear the truth of grace. When Paul tells them grace is available
to all (Romans 4:16; Titus 2:11), including the Gentiles, they begin to scream.