Acts 23:11
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Acts 23:11 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Acts, we see the Apostle Paul facing adversity and uncertainty as he is on his way to Rome to stand trial. Despite the challenges ahead, the Lord appears to him in a vision, reassuring him to be of good cheer and reminding him of the importance of his testimony. This encounter serves as a source of comfort and encouragement for Paul, assuring him that his journey to Rome is part of God's plan for him to continue spreading the Gospel. By highlighting Paul's previous testimony in Jerusalem, the Lord emphasizes the significance of his witness in Rome as well. This verse reminds us of the faithfulness and presence of God in times of difficulty, encouraging us to remain steadfast in our own testimony and trust in His plan for our lives.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse is that it highlights the sovereignty and faithfulness of God in fulfilling His purposes for His servants. Despite Paul facing trials and opposition, God reassures him that he will bear witness for Him in Rome, just as he did in Jerusalem. This demonstrates that God's plans cannot be thwarted, and He will empower His followers to fulfill the tasks He has assigned to them. The word "testified" in this verse can also be examined further to understand the depth of Paul's commitment to proclaiming the gospel, even in the face of persecution. Through this word study, we can see that Paul's witness in Jerusalem was not just a casual sharing of his beliefs, but a strong and bold proclamation of the truth about Jesus Christ. This verse serves as a reminder to believers that God is with them in every situation, guiding and strengthening them to accomplish His purposes.
Acts 23:11 in other translations
American Standard Version
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
World English Bible
The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”
Douay-Rheims
And the night following, the Lord standing by him, said: Be constant: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Nowe the night folowing, the Lord stoode by him, and saide, Be of good courage, Paul: for as thou hast testified of mee in Hierusalem, so must thou beare witnesse also at Rome.