Acts 9
9
Saul’s Conversion on the Damascus Road
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and#*Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“went to”) has been translated as a finite verb 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#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation tied up#Or figuratively “bring them under arrest” to Jerusalem. 3Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting! 6But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.”#Literally “what thing it is necessary that you do” 7(Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as causal heard the voice but saw no one.) 8So Saul got up from the ground, but although#*Here “although” is supplied as a component of the genitive absolute participle (“were open”) which is understood as concessive his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9And he was unable to see#Literally “not seeing” for three days, and he did not eat or drink.
Ananias Sent to Saul
10Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named#Literally “by name” Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Behold, here I am, Lord!” 11And 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.#Literally “Saul by name of Tarsus” For behold, he is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named#Literally “by name” Ananias coming in and placing hands#Some manuscripts have “placing his hands” on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up#Or figuratively “to arrest” or “to imprison” all who call upon your name!” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles#The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context and kings and the sons of Israel. 16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing his#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun 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.” 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight and got up and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb was baptized, 19and after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal taking food, he regained his strength. And he was with the disciples in Damascus several days.
Saul Proclaims Christ in Damascus
20And immediately he began proclaiming#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began proclaiming”) Jesus in the synagogues: “This one is the Son of God!” 21And all who heard him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 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#Or figuratively “bring them under arrest” to the chief priests?” 22But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by#*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“proving”) which is understood as means proving that this one is the Christ.#Or “Messiah”
23And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him. 24But 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. 25But his disciples took him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation at night and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb let him down through the wall by#*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lowering”) which is understood as means lowering him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26And when he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believe”) which is understood as causal did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb brought him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 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. 28And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews,#Literally “Hellenists” but they were trying to do away with him. 30And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found out”) which is understood as temporal the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
31Then 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.#*The words “in numbers” are not in the Greek text but are implied
Aeneas Healed
32Now it happened that as#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was traveling”) which is understood as temporal Peter was traveling through all the places,#*The words “the places” are not in the Greek text but are implied he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33And he found there a certain man named#Literally “by name” Aeneas who was paralyzed, who had been lying on a mat#Or “mattress” for eight years. 34And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed yourself!” And immediately he got up. 35And all those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, who all#*Here “all” is supplied to indicate the relative pronoun is plural indeed turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Raised
36Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple named#Literally “by name” Tabitha (which translated means “Dorcas”).#“Dorcas” is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name “Tabitha” which means “deer” or “gazelle” She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.#*Here the imperfect verb is translated as a customary imperfect (“was constantly doing”) 37Now it happened that in those days after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming sick”) which is understood as temporal becoming sick, she died. And after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“washing”) which is understood as temporal washing her,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation they placed her in an upstairs room. 38And because#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as causal Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal heard that Peter was in Lydda,#Literally “in it” sent two men to him, urging, “Do not delay to come to us!” 39So Peter got up and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb accompanied them. When he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal arrived, they brought him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation up to the upstairs room, and all the widows came to him, weeping and showing him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation tunics and other clothing that Dorcas used to make while she#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal was with them. 40But Peter sent them all outside, and, falling to his#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun knees, he prayed. And turning toward the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she opened her eyes, and when she#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave”) has been translated as a finite verb raised her up. And he called the saints and the widows and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.#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”)
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Acts 9
9
Saul becomes a follower of the Lord
(Acts 22.6-16; 26.12-18)
1Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord's followers. He even went to the high priest 2and asked for letters to the Jewish leaders in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord's Way.#9.2 accepted the Lord's Way: In the book of Acts, this means to become a follower of the Lord Jesus. 3When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, “Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?”
5“Who are you?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus,” the Lord answered. “I am the one you are so cruel to. 6Now get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do.”
7The men with Saul stood there speechless. They had heard the voice, but they had not seen anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, and when he opened his eyes, he could not see a thing. Someone then led him by the hand to Damascus, 9and for three days he was blind and did not eat or drink.
10A follower named Ananias lived in Damascus, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision. Ananias answered, “Lord, here I am.”
11The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the house of Judas in Straight Street. When you get there, you will find a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. Saul is praying, 12and he has seen a vision. He saw a man named Ananias coming to him and putting his hands on him, so that he could see again.”
13Ananias replied, “Lord, a lot of people have told me about the terrible things this man has done to your followers in Jerusalem. 14Now the chief priests have given him the power to come here and arrest anyone who worships in your name.”
15The Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for worshipping in my name.”
17Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, “Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18Suddenly something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see. He got up and was baptized. 19Then he ate and felt much better.
Saul preaches in Damascus
For several days Saul stayed with the Lord's followers in Damascus. 20Soon he went to the Jewish meeting places and started telling people that Jesus is the Son of God. 21Everyone who heard Saul was amazed and said, “Isn't this the man who caused so much trouble for those people in Jerusalem who worship in the name of Jesus? Didn't he come here to arrest them and take them to the chief priests?”
22Saul preached with such power that he completely confused the Jewish people in Damascus, as he tried to show them that Jesus is the Messiah.
23Later some of them made plans to kill Saul,#2 Co 11.32,33. 24but he found out about it. He learnt that they were guarding the gates of the city day and night in order to kill him. 25Then one night his followers let him down over the city wall in a large basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the followers. But they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe he was a true follower. 27Then Barnabas helped him by taking him to the apostles. He explained how Saul had seen the Lord and how the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas also said that when Saul was in Damascus, he had spoken bravely in the name of Jesus.
28Saul moved about freely with the followers in Jerusalem and told everyone about the Lord. 29He was always arguing with the Jews who spoke Greek, and so they tried to kill him. 30But the followers found out about this and took Saul to Caesarea. From there they sent him to the city of Tarsus.
31The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria now had a time of peace and kept on worshipping the Lord. The church became stronger, as the Holy Spirit encouraged it and helped it grow.
Peter heals Aeneas
32While Peter was travelling from place to place, he visited the Lord's followers who lived in the town of Lydda. 33There he met a man named Aeneas, who for eight years had been sick in bed and could not move. 34Peter said to Aeneas, “Jesus Christ has healed you! Get up and make up your bed.”#9.34 and make up your bed: Or “and prepare something to eat.” Straight away he stood up.
35Many people in the towns of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas and became followers of the Lord.
Peter brings Dorcas back to life
36In Joppa there was a follower named Tabitha. Her Greek name was Dorcas, which means “deer”. She was always doing good things for people and had given much to the poor. 37But she became ill and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38Joppa wasn't far from Lydda, and the followers heard that Peter was there. They sent two men to say to him, “Please come with us as quickly as you can!” 39Straight away, Peter went with them.
The men took Peter upstairs into the room. Many widows were there crying. They showed him the coats and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was still alive.
40After Peter had sent everyone out of the room, he knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to the body of Dorcas and said, “Tabitha, get up!” The woman opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet.
Peter called in the widows and the other followers and showed them that Dorcas had been raised from death. 42Everyone in Joppa heard what had happened, and many of them put their faith in the Lord. 43Peter stayed on for a while in Joppa in the house of a man named Simon, who made leather.
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