Acts 9
New King James Version
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted(A)
9 Then (B)Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked (C)letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 (D)As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, (E)why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And (F)the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus (G)named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul (H)of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (I)how much [b]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all (J)who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (K)he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before (L)Gentiles, (M)kings, and the (N)children[c] of Israel. 16 For (O)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (P)name’s sake.”
17 (Q)And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and (R)laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [d]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and (S)be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. (T)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Preaches Christ
20 Immediately he preached [e]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, (U)“Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, (V)and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Saul Escapes Death
23 Now after many days were past, (W)the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 (X)But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and (Y)let him down through the wall in a large basket.
Saul at Jerusalem
26 And (Z)when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 (AA)But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, (AB)and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So (AC)he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the (AD)Hellenists,[f] (AE)but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
The Church Prospers
31 (AF)Then the [g]churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were (AG)edified.[h] And walking in the (AH)fear of the Lord and in the (AI)comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were (AJ)multiplied.
Aeneas Healed
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went (AK)through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, (AL)Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and (AM)Sharon saw him and (AN)turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [i]Tabitha, which is translated [j]Dorcas. This woman was full (AO)of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in (AP)an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (AQ)put them all out, and (AR)knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he (AS)said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, (AT)and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with (AU)Simon, a tanner.
Footnotes
- Acts 9:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go
- Acts 9:13 bad things
- Acts 9:15 Lit. sons
- Acts 9:17 M omits Jesus
- Acts 9:20 NU Jesus
- Acts 9:29 Greek-speaking Jews
- Acts 9:31 NU church . . . was
- Acts 9:31 built up
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle
Acts 9
Lexham English Bible
Saul’s Conversion on the Damascus Road
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and[a] asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them[b] tied up[c] to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting! 6 But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.”[d] 7 (Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they[e] heard the voice but saw no one.) 8 So Saul got up from the ground, but although[f] his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see[g] for three days, and he did not eat or drink.
Ananias Sent to Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named[h] Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Behold, here I am, Lord!” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up, go to the street called ‘Straight’ and in the house of Judas look for a man named Saul from Tarsus.[i] For behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named[j] Ananias coming in and placing hands[k] on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up[l] all who call upon your name!” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles[m] and kings and the sons of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing his[n] hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight and got up and[o] was baptized, 19 and after[p] taking food, he regained his strength. And he was with the disciples in Damascus several days.
Saul Proclaims Christ in Damascus
20 And immediately he began proclaiming[q] Jesus in the synagogues: “This one is the Son of God!” 21 And all who heard him[r] were amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who was wreaking havoc in Jerusalem on those who call upon this name, and had come here for this reason, that he could bring them tied up[s] to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by[t] proving that this one is the Christ.[u]
23 And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul, and they were also watching the gates both day and night so that they could do away with him. 25 But his disciples took him[v] at night and[w] let him down through the wall by[x] lowering him[y] in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26 And when he[z] arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they[aa] did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and[ab] brought him[ac] to the apostles and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews,[ad] but they were trying to do away with him. 30 And when[ae] the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.[af]
Aeneas Healed
32 Now it happened that as[ag] Peter was traveling through all the places,[ah] he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33 And he found there a certain man named[ai] Aeneas who was paralyzed, who had been lying on a mat[aj] for eight years. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed yourself!” And immediately he got up. 35 And all those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, who all[ak] indeed turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Raised
36 Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple named[al] Tabitha (which translated means “Dorcas”).[am] She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.[an] 37 Now it happened that in those days after[ao] becoming sick, she died. And after[ap] washing her,[aq] they placed her in an upstairs room. 38 And because[ar] Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they[as] heard that Peter was in Lydda,[at] sent two men to him, urging, “Do not delay to come to us!” 39 So Peter got up and[au] accompanied them. When he[av] arrived, they brought him[aw] up to the upstairs room, and all the widows came to him, weeping and showing him[ax] tunics and other clothing that Dorcas used to make while she[ay] was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all outside, and, falling to his[az] knees, he prayed. And turning toward the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she opened her eyes, and when she[ba] saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and[bb] raised her up. And he called the saints and the widows and[bc] presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.[bd]
Footnotes
- Acts 9:2 Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“went to”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 9:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 9:2 Or figuratively “bring them under arrest”
- Acts 9:6 Literally “what thing it is necessary that you do”
- Acts 9:7 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as causal
- Acts 9:8 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the genitive absolute participle (“were open”) which is understood as concessive
- Acts 9:9 Literally “not seeing”
- Acts 9:10 Literally “by name”
- Acts 9:11 Literally “Saul by name of Tarsus”
- Acts 9:12 Literally “by name”
- Acts 9:12 Some manuscripts have “placing his hands”
- Acts 9:14 Or figuratively “to arrest” or “to imprison”
- Acts 9:15 The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
- Acts 9:17 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 9:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 9:19 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:20 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began proclaiming”)
- Acts 9:21 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 9:21 Or figuratively “bring them under arrest”
- Acts 9:22 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“proving”) which is understood as means
- Acts 9:22 Or “Messiah”
- Acts 9:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 9:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 9:25 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lowering”) which is understood as means
- Acts 9:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 9:26 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:26 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believe”) which is understood as causal
- Acts 9:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 9:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 9:29 Literally “Hellenists”
- Acts 9:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found out”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:31 *The words “in numbers” are not in the Greek text but are implied
- Acts 9:32 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was traveling”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:32 *The words “the places” are not in the Greek text but are implied
- Acts 9:33 Literally “by name”
- Acts 9:33 Or “mattress”
- Acts 9:35 Here “all” is supplied to indicate the relative pronoun is plural
- Acts 9:36 Literally “by name”
- Acts 9:36 “Dorcas” is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name “Tabitha” which means “deer” or “gazelle”
- Acts 9:36 *Here the imperfect verb is translated as a customary imperfect (“was constantly doing”)
- Acts 9:37 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming sick”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:37 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“washing”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:37 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 9:38 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as causal
- Acts 9:38 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:38 Literally “in it”
- Acts 9:39 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 9:39 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 9:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 9:39 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 9:40 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 9:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 9:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 9:43 Or “with a certain Simon Berseus”; most modern English versions treat the word as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), but the word may actually be a surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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