Acts 22:12
What does Acts 22:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:12 means
Ananias enters the story as a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by the Jews in Damascus. This matters for Paul’s audience: the one who ministers to him is no lawless outsider but a pious Jew. God’s work in Paul’s life comes through a vessel his hearers might respect. By stressing Ananias’s reputation, Paul anticipates objections that his faith in Jesus rejects the law or scorns Jewish piety. Instead, the God of Israel is at work within Israel, using faithful people to advance His purposes and to affirm Paul’s experience as truly from God, not a deception or Gentile innovation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And one Ananias, a God-fearing man, who kept the law, and of whom all the Jews in that place had a high opinion,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and a certain one, Ananias, a pious man according to the law, being testified to by all the Jews dwelling <FI>there<Fi> ,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And one Ananias, a man according to the law, having testimony of all the Jews who dwelt there,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And a certain Ananias, a pious man according to the law, borne witness to by all the Jews who dwelt [there],
Context
Verse 12 introduces Ananias’s character before his actions, strategically building credibility with a skeptical audience. The next verses (13–16) will recount the restoration of Paul’s sight, the divine appointment revealed through Ananias, and the call to be baptized and cleansed by calling on the Lord’s name. This context shows that Paul’s commission did not bypass Jewish faithfulness but was confirmed by it, knitting his story to shared reverence for the law and the community’s testimony.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:2
And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
- Luke 2:25
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
- Acts 6:3
Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
- Acts 10:22
And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee.
- 1 Timothy 3:7
Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Acts 9:10
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
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