Acts 22:20
 
Acts 22:20
(KJV) And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
(1611 KJV) And when ye blood of thy martyr Steuen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting vnto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
(1587 Geneva Bible) And when the blood of thy martyr Steuen was shed, I also stood by, and consented vnto his death, & kept the clothes of them that slew him.
(1526 Tyndale) And when the bloud of thy witnes Steven was sheed I also stode by and consented vnto his deeth and kept the rayment of them that slewe him.
 
Counterfeit Versions
(1881 RV) and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.
(1901 ASV) and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.
(CSB) And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’
(NIV) And when the blood of your martyrStephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.'
(NASV) 'And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.'
(THE MESSAGE) And when your witness Stephen was murdered, I was right there, holding the coats of the murderers and cheering them on. And now they see me totally converted. What better qualification could I have?'
(AMP) And when the blood of Your witness (martyr) Stephen was shed, I also was personally standing by and consenting and approving and guarding the garments of those who slew him.
(NLT) And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’
(ESV) And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.'
(CEV) Stephen was killed because he spoke for you, and I stood there and cheered them on. I even guarded the clothes of the men who murdered him."
(NCV) They also know I was there when Stephen, your witness, was killed. I stood there agreeing and holding the coats of those who were killing him!'
(HCSB) And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving, and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.
(RSV) And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by and approving, and keeping the garments of those who killed him.'
(NAB-Roman Catholic) And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I myself stood by giving my approval and keeping guard over the cloaks of his murderers.'
(NWT-Jehovah’s Witness) and when the blood of Stephen your witness was being spilled, I myself was also standing by and approving and guarding the outer garments of those doing away with him.’
 
Textus Receptus - Traditional Text
και οτε εξεχειτο το αιμα στεφανου του μαρτυρος σου και αυτος ημην εφεστως και συνευδοκων τη αναιρεσει αυτου και φυλασσων τα ιματια των αναιρουντων αυτον
 
Hort-Westcott - Critical Text
και οτε εξεχυννετο το αιμα στεφανου του μαρτυρος σου και αυτος ημην εφεστως και συνευδοκων και φυλασσων τα ιματια των αναιρουντων αυτον
 
Corrupted Manuscripts
This verse is corrupted in the following manuscripts:
Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Nineteenth Century Counterfeit
A 02 - Alexandrinus - Fifth century
B 03 - Vaticanus - Fourth century
E 08 - Sixth century
Nestle-Aland - Twenty Seventh Edition
United Bible Societies - Fourth Edition
 
Manuscripts which agree with the Textus Receptus for this verse
Byzantine Text (450-1450 A.D.)
L 020 - Ninth century
P 025 - Ninth century
 
Published Critical Greek Texts with Corruptions
Omit “unto his death” after “consenting”
Greisbach, Johann - 1805
Lachmann, Karl - 1842
Tischendorf, Constantine - 1869
Alford, Henry - 1849 revised in 1871
Tregelles, Samuel - 1857
Westcott and Hort - 1881
Nestle - 1927 as revised in seventeenth edition in 1941
Nestle-Aland - 1979 - Twenty Sixth Edition
Nestle-Aland - 1993 - Twenty Seventh Edition
United Bible Societies - 1983 - Fourth Edition
 
Affected Teaching
Before the Apostle Paul became the Apostle Paul he was a murderer of Christians doing what he could to destroy the church and Christians in general. In Acts 22:20, the King James Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that Paul had consented or given approbation to the murder of Stephen. Now the word which has been removed from this passage in the modern versions is a most important word and found here and only in Acts 8:1 in connection only with the stoning of Stephen. It is only used twice in the New Testament. It is the word “anairesis” and it not only means “death or killing” but has a special meaning of “a taking up or raising of a life.” It is like there is a Christian in your life who has a special place or meaning to you and that person is taken in death. We do not view them as being taken in death but we view them as having their life taken up or raised to glory. While they were with us, they had great impact but now they are home with the Lord just as Stephen was. The modern versions leave this out and those who use them miss out on such a tremendous lesson plus it removes the murderous intent of Saul which is the same attitude that unbelievers have toward us, even if it is not physical murder, unbelievers love to murder the reputation of Christians.

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