Acts 9

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 9

1¶ And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, ‹Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?›

5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, ‹I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.›

6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, ‹Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.›

7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought [him] into Damascus.

9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10¶ And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, ‹Ananias.› And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord.

11And the Lord [said] unto him, ‹Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,›

12‹And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting [his] hand on him, that he might receive his sight.›

13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15But the Lord said unto him, ‹Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:›

16‹For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.›

17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21But all that heard [him] were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23¶ And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.

26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27But Barnabas took him, and brought [him] to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30[Which] when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

32¶ And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all [quarters], he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

35And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid [her] in an upper chamber.

38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring [him] that he would not delay to come to them.

39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41And he gave her [his] hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

42And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Acts 9 details the dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who, while persecuting Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, leading to his blindness and subsequent healing by Ananias. Saul immediately begins to preach Christ, astonishing many, and faces plots against his life. The chapter also recounts Peter's healing of Aeneas in Lydda and his raising of Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead in Joppa. Both miracles result in many believing in the Lord and the church experiencing a period of rest and growth.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with Saul, a fervent persecutor, obtaining letters to arrest Christians in Damascus, but en route, a heavenly light blinds him, and Jesus speaks to him, questioning his persecution. Saul is led into Damascus, blind for three days, during which time the Lord instructs Ananias to visit him. Despite Ananias's apprehension, he obeys, and Saul regains his sight, is filled with the Holy Ghost, and is baptized. Immediately, Saul preaches Christ in the synagogues, confounding his former associates, and facing a plot to kill him, he escapes Damascus. Later, in Jerusalem, Barnabas introduces him to the apostles, and Saul continues his bold proclamation until he is sent to Tarsus for his safety. The chapter concludes with Peter performing two significant miracles: healing Aeneas, a paralytic, in Lydda, and raising Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead in Joppa, both events leading to many believing in the Lord.

Long Summary

Acts 9 begins with Saul of Tarsus, intensely persecuting followers of "this way," obtaining letters from the high priest to arrest any Christians in Damascus. As he approaches the city, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly shines around him, causing him to fall to the earth. A voice identifies itself as Jesus, whom Saul is persecuting, and instructs him to enter the city where he will be told what to do. Saul, now blind, is led by hand into Damascus, where he remains without sight, food, or drink for three days. Meanwhile, the Lord appears in a vision to Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, commanding him to find Saul and lay hands on him to restore his sight. Ananias expresses concern, recounting Saul's notorious persecution of saints in Jerusalem, but the Lord reveals Saul is a "chosen vessel" destined to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel, and to suffer greatly for His name. Ananias obeys, finds Saul, and upon laying hands on him, scales fall from Saul's eyes, his sight is restored, and he is baptized and strengthened. Immediately, Saul begins to preach Christ in the synagogues of Damascus, proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God, astonishing all who hear him, as they recall his former mission to persecute. His powerful arguments confound the Jews, leading them to conspire to kill him. Disciples help Saul escape by lowering him in a basket through the city wall at night. Upon reaching Jerusalem, the disciples are initially fearful and disbelieving of his conversion, until Barnabas brings him to the apostles, testifying to his encounter with the Lord and his bold preaching in Damascus. Saul then preaches boldly in Jerusalem, disputing with the Grecians, who also seek to kill him, prompting the brethren to send him to Caesarea and then Tarsus for his safety. The narrative then shifts to Peter, who, while traveling, heals Aeneas, a man paralyzed for eight years in Lydda, causing many in the region to turn to the Lord. Subsequently, in Joppa, Peter is called to the home of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, a woman renowned for her good works, who had died. Peter, after praying, commands Tabitha to arise, and she is restored to life, a miracle that becomes widely known in Joppa and leads many to believe in the Lord. Peter remains in Joppa for a significant period.

Core Concepts

  • Saul's ConversionThe dramatic encounter of Saul with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, leading to his blindness, a divine commission, and a complete reversal of his life's direction from persecutor to preacher.
  • Divine CommissionJesus's direct instruction to Ananias regarding Saul's future role as a "chosen vessel" to carry His name to Gentiles, kings, and Israel, highlighting God's sovereign plan for individuals.
  • Bold PreachingSaul's immediate and fearless proclamation of Jesus as the Son of God in Damascus and Jerusalem, despite his notorious past and the plots against his life, demonstrating the transformative power of his conversion.
  • Miraculous HealingPeter's healing of Aeneas, who was paralyzed for eight years, showcasing the power of Jesus Christ through His apostles to restore physical health.
  • Resurrection of the DeadPeter's raising of Tabitha (Dorcas) from death in Joppa, a profound demonstration of divine power over death, affirming the authority of the apostles and leading many to faith.
  • Persecution and EscapeThe immediate opposition Saul faces from the Jews in Damascus and Jerusalem after his conversion, leading to plots against his life and his subsequent escapes, illustrating the dangers faced by early Christian evangelists.
  • Church Growth and EdificationThe period of rest and multiplication experienced by the churches in Judaea, Galilee, and Samaria, characterized by their edification and walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Ghost.