Acts 22:16
What does Acts 22:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:16 means
Ananias presses for response: arise, be baptized, and wash away sins, calling on the Lord’s name. The emphasis falls on invoking the Lord—trusting Jesus—while baptism publicly seals that faith and signifies cleansing. Forgiveness is God’s act, yet Paul is called to receive and confess it. The command shows that encounter must lead to obedience; revelation issues in discipleship. For a former persecutor, there is real sin to be washed away. Grace does not minimize guilt but removes it in the name of Jesus. Baptism becomes Paul’s entry into the community he once harmed and a sign of his new life under the Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now, why are you waiting? get up, and have baptism, for the washing away of your sins, giving worship to his name.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now, why tarriest thou? having risen, baptize thyself, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And now why tarriest thou? Rise up and be baptized and wash away thy sins, invoking his name.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now why lingerest thou? Arise and get baptised, and have thy sins washed away, calling on his name.
Context
After appointment and commission, verse 16 marks the personal turning point: Paul must respond. This closes the Damascus scene with obedience, preparing for the next episode in Jerusalem (verses 17–21). The flow from encounter, to explanation, to baptism underlines that Paul’s transformation is comprehensive—mind, mission, and membership among believers. The narrative will now move to a later vision in the temple, where the Lord redirects Paul’s efforts away from Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water,
- 1 Peter 3:21
which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
- Jeremiah 8:14
Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the fortified cities, and let us be silent there; for Jehovah our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against Jehovah.
- Acts 2:21
And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
- Psalms 119:60
I made haste, and delayed not, To observe thy commandments.
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