Acts 9:1
What does Acts 9:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:1 means
Saul's relentless zeal against followers of Jesus is highlighted here. He was not merely a passive observer of persecution but an active agent. The phrase "breathing threatening and slaughter" vividly portrays his intense hostility and intent to harm. He saw the early Christians, who referred to themselves as being "of the Way," as a dangerous heretical sect that needed to be eradicated. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between human hatred and divine intervention, showing the depth of his opposition before his radical transformation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Saul, still burning with desire to put to death the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Saul, yet breathing of threatening and slaughter to the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the chief priest,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came to the high priest
Context
This verse opens chapter 9, immediately following the intensifying persecution mentioned in Acts 8 after Stephen's martyrdom. It reintroduces Saul, emphasizing his lead role as a persecutor. This detailed description of his fervent hostility is crucial for understanding the profound nature of his ensuing conversion, which will soon dramatically redirect his life's purpose.
v.1This passage
v.2and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 27:12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries: For false witnesses are risen up against me, And such as breathe out cruelty.
- Acts 26:9
I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Acts 7:58
and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
- 1 Timothy 1:13
though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
- Acts 8:3
But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.
- Acts 9:11
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth;
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