Acts 9 Darby Translation
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 But Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came to the high priest
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, so that if he found any who were of the way, both men and women, he might bring [them] bound to Jerusalem.
2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 But as he was journeying, it came to pass that he drew near to Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven,
3 As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
4 and falling on the earth he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?
4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he [said], I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.
5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6 But rise up and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
6 But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”
7 But the men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but beholding no one.
7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
8 And Saul rose up from the earth, and his eyes being opened he saw no one. But leading [him] by the hand they brought him into Damascus.
8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without seeing, and neither ate nor drank.
9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
10 And there was a certain disciple in Damascus by name Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, [here am] I, Lord.
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
11 And the Lord [said] to him, Rise up and go into the street which is called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas one by name Saul, [he is] of Tarsus: for, behold, he is praying,
11 The Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
12 and has seen [in a vision] a man by name Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he should see.
12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”
13 And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem;
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name.
14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15 And the Lord said to him, Go, for this [man] is an elect vessel to me, to bear my name before both nations and kings and [the] sons of Israel:
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
16 for I will shew to him how much he must suffer for my name.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him he said, Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest, that thou mightest see, and be filled with [the] Holy Spirit.
17 Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he saw, and rising up was baptised;
18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
19 and, having received food, got strength. And he was with the disciples who [were] in Damascus certain days.
19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
20 And straightway in the synagogues he preached Jesus that he is the Son of God.
20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
21 And all who heard were astonished and said, Is not this he who destroyed in Jerusalem those who called on this name, and here was come for this purpose, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?
21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”
22 But Saul increased the more in power, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
23 Now when many days were fulfilled, the Jews consulted together to kill him.
23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched also the gates both day and night, that they might kill him;
24 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
25 but the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26 And having arrived at Jerusalem he essayed to join himself to the disciples, and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem,
28 He was with them entering into Jerusalem,
29 and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and discussed with the Hellenists; but they sought to kill him.
29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
30 And the brethren knowing it, brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
30 When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 The assemblies then throughout the whole of Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord, and were increased through the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
32 Now it came to pass that Peter, passing through all [quarters], descended also to the saints who inhabited Lydda.
32 As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
33 And he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name, who had been lying for eight years upon a couch, who was paralysed.
33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years because he was paralyzed.
34 And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus, the Christ, heals thee: rise up, and make thy couch for thyself. And straightway he rose up.
34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.
35 And all who inhabited Lydda and the Saron saw him, who turned to the Lord.
35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 And in Joppa there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which being interpreted means Dorcas. She was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days that she grew sick and died; and, having washed her, they put her in [the] upper room.
37 In those days, she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38 But Lydda being near to Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, beseeching him, Thou must not delay coming to us.
38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
39 And Peter rising up went with them, whom, when arrived, they brought up into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping and shewing him the body-coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
39 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the tunics and other garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40 But Peter, putting them all out, and kneeling down, prayed. And, turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and, seeing Peter, sat up.
40 Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And having given her [his] hand, he raised her up, and having called the saints and the widows, presented her living.
41 He gave her his hand and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 And it became known throughout the whole of Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
42 This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass that he remained many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.
43 He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Aeneas
A man at Lydda, bedridden eight years with paralysis, whom Peter healed in the name of Jesus Christ.
Cited in the guide: Acts 9:33; Acts 9:34
Ananias
A disciple at Damascus whom the Lord sent to lay hands on Saul, restore his sight, and baptize him.
Cited in the guide: Acts 9:10; Acts 9:17; Acts 22:12
Barnabas
A Levite from Cyprus named Joseph and nicknamed Barnabas, 'son of encouragement,' who sold a field for the church, brought Saul to the apostles, and traveled with him as a…
Cited in the guide: Acts 4:36; Acts 9:27; Acts 11:22
Judas
The man in whose house on Straight Street Saul was lodging when Ananias came to him.
Cited in the guide: Acts 9:11
Simon
A tanner at Joppa whose house by the sea hosted Peter during his stay.
Cited in the guide: Acts 9:43; Acts 10:6; Acts 10:32
Tabitha
A disciple at Joppa known for good works and charity, also called Dorcas; Peter raised her from the dead.
Cited in the guide: Acts 9:36; Acts 9:40
Places
Damascus
An ancient Aramean capital where Saul (Paul) was converted and first preached. He later escaped over its wall in a basket.
Cited in the guide: Acts 9:3; Genesis 14:15; 2 Kings 5:12
Joppa
Judah's main seaport. Cedar for the Temple arrived here, Jonah fled from here, and Peter's rooftop vision here opened the gospel to the Gentiles.
Cited in the guide: Jonah 1:3; Acts 9:36; Acts 10:9
Tarsus
A wealthy university city in Cilicia and Paul's hometown. He was also a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:28), which shaped his missionary strategy and legal appeals.
Cited in the guide: Acts 9:11; Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3
Cross references (43)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Acts 8:3; 1 Timothy 1:13; Acts 9:11–21; Galatians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:9
- 2 Acts 19:23; Acts 19:9; Acts 24:14; Acts 22:4–5; Acts 24:22
- 3 Acts 26:12–13; 1 Corinthians 15:8; Revelation 21:23; Acts 22:6; 1 Timothy 6:16
- 4 Zechariah 2:8; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Genesis 22:11; Isaiah 63:9; Romans 11:22
- 5 1 Timothy 1:13; 1 Samuel 3:4–10; Isaiah 45:9; Job 40:9–10; Job 9:4
- 6 Acts 22:10; 1 Timothy 1:14–16; Acts 26:16; Romans 7:9; Acts 10:32
- 7 Acts 22:9; Daniel 10:7; Acts 26:13–14; John 12:29; Matthew 24:40–41
- 8 Acts 22:11; Acts 9:18; 2 Kings 6:17–20; Acts 13:11; Genesis 19:11
- 9 Jonah 3:6–8; Esther 4:16; 2 Chronicles 33:12–13; 2 Chronicles 33:18–19; Acts 9:11–12
- 10 Acts 10:3; Acts 22:12; Genesis 22:1; Isaiah 6:8; 1 Samuel 3:8–10
- 11 Acts 9:30; Acts 22:3; Acts 11:25; Acts 21:39; Luke 11:9–10
- 12 Mark 5:23; Acts 9:17–18; Acts 9:10
- 13 1 Timothy 1:13–15; Acts 8:3; Acts 22:19–20; Ezekiel 3:14; Acts 9:1
- 14 Acts 9:21; Acts 7:59; 2 Timothy 2:22; Acts 22:16; Acts 9:2–3
- 15 Galatians 1:15–16; Ephesians 3:7–8; 2 Timothy 4:16–17; Romans 11:13; Acts 26:17–20
- 16 1 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 6:4; Acts 21:11; John 15:20; 2 Timothy 1:12
- 17 Acts 8:17; Acts 2:4; Acts 6:6; Acts 22:12–14; Acts 13:52
- 18 2 Corinthians 3:14; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Acts 13:37–38
- 19 Acts 26:20; 1 Samuel 30:12; Galatians 1:17; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Acts 27:33–36
- 20 John 20:28; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 1:23–24; 1 John 4:14–15; John 20:31
- 21 Acts 8:3; Acts 9:13–14; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Matthew 13:54–55; Galatians 1:13–24
- 22 Acts 18:5; Luke 21:15; Isaiah 40:29; Acts 18:27–28; 1 Corinthians 1:27
- 23 Galatians 1:17–18; 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16; Acts 14:19; Acts 13:50; Matthew 10:16–23
- 24 2 Corinthians 11:32; Acts 25:3; Acts 20:19; Acts 20:3; Psalm 21:11
- 25 2 Corinthians 11:33; Joshua 2:15; 1 Samuel 19:11–12
- 26 Acts 26:20; Galatians 1:17–19; Acts 4:23; Acts 9:19; Acts 22:17–20
- 27 Acts 4:36; Acts 4:29; Ephesians 6:19–20; Acts 4:13; Acts 15:25–26
- 28 Acts 1:21; Psalm 121:8; 1 Kings 3:7; Numbers 27:16–17; 2 Samuel 5:2
- 29 Acts 6:1; Acts 11:20; Jude 9; 2 Corinthians 11:26; Acts 17:17
- 30 Acts 9:11; Acts 11:25; Acts 8:40; Galatians 1:21; Acts 17:15
- 31 Psalm 111:10; John 14:16–18; Isaiah 33:6; Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 14:26–27
- 32 Acts 9:13; Acts 8:25; Proverbs 2:8; Acts 9:41; Romans 1:7
- 33 Luke 13:16; John 9:1; Acts 14:8; Mark 9:21; Acts 4:22
- 34 Matthew 9:6; Acts 3:12; Acts 3:6; Acts 16:18; Matthew 9:28–30
- 35 Acts 11:21; 1 Chronicles 5:16; Acts 9:42; Isaiah 35:2; Psalm 22:27
- 36 Titus 2:7; Titus 3:8; 2 Chronicles 2:16; Hebrews 13:21; Acts 10:31
- 37 Acts 1:13; Acts 20:8; Mark 14:15; John 11:36–37; John 11:3–4
- 38 Acts 9:36; Acts 11:26; Acts 9:32; 2 Kings 4:28–30
- 39 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Proverbs 31:30–31; Proverbs 10:7; Ephesians 4:28; Matthew 25:36–39
- 40 Matthew 9:25; Mark 5:40–42; Luke 8:54; 2 Kings 4:32–36; Acts 7:60
- 41 Mark 1:31; Acts 6:1; Luke 7:12; Luke 7:15; 1 Kings 17:23
- 42 John 12:11; Acts 11:21; John 12:44; Acts 9:35; John 11:45
- 43 Acts 10:6; Acts 10:32
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
What may be the reason that He neither drew any one of high authority and importance, nor caused such to be forthcoming for the purpose of instructing Paul?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
… persecuting His disciples, he persecuted his own Lord, and sent Ananias to him that he might recover his sight, and be baptized--"preached," it is said, "Jesus in the synagogues at Damascus, with all freedom of speech, that this is the Son of God, the Christ." This is the mystery which he says was made known to him by revelation, that …
… or perverting their nature, which Thou hast made and ordained, or by an immoderate use of things permitted, or in "burning" in things forbidden to that use which is against nature; or when convicted, raging with heart and voice against Thee, kicking against the pricks; or when, breaking through the pale of human society, they audaciously rejoice in private combinations …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
See, for example, how He Himself, the insulted one, discourses with us, both in the Old Testament, and in the New; in the one saying, "O my people, what have I done unto thee?" in the other, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me." And Paul too bids, "In meekness instruct those that oppose themselves." And Christ again, when His disciples …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… come as a witness to what we say, he who in Damascus said to him, The Lord, even Jesus who appeared to thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)