“I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
22:3 I am verily - This defence answers all that is objected, #Acts 21:28|. As there, so here also mention is made of the person of Paul, #Acts 22:3|, of the people and the law, #Acts 22:3|,5,12; of the temple, #Acts 22:17|; of teaching all men, #Acts 22:15 |- 17,21; and of the truth of his doctrine, #Acts 22:6|. But he speaks closely and nervously, in few words, because the time was short. But brought up at the feet of Gamaliel - The scholars usually sat on low seats, or upon mats on the floor, at the feet of their masters, whose seats were raised to a considerable height. Accurately instructed - The learned education which Paul had received was once no doubt the matter of his boasting and confidence. Unsanctified learning made his bonds strong, and furnished him with numerous arguments against the Gospel. Yet when the grace of God had changed his heart, and turned his accomplishments into another channel, he was the fitter instrument to serve God's wise and merciful purposes, in the defence and propagation of Christianity.
Ac 22:3 I am . . . a Jew. In order to refute their charge that he taught against Moses, he calls attention to his Jewish birth, and his education under their venerated doctor of the law, Gamaliel. For the character of this teacher, see PNT "Ac 5:34". Was zealous toward God. His zeal was like theirs, honest and ardent. Observe how he associates himself with his hearers. It was the first opportunity he had ever had to explain to the people of Jerusalem the reason why he had become a Christian.