Acts 9:14

What does Acts 9:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 9:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 9:14 means

Ananias further explains his reluctance, stating that Saul held official authority from the chief priests to bind all who identified as followers of Jesus in Damascus. This reinforces the credible and immediate threat Saul posed to the Christian community. Ananias's fear was not hypothetical; it was based on concrete evidence of Saul's past actions and current intentions. His apprehension demonstrates the courage required to respond to God's call to minister to such a notorious enemy of the faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And here he has authority from the chief priests to make prisoners all who give worship to your name.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and here he hath authority from the chief priests, to bind all those calling on Thy name.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name.

Context

This verse continues Ananias's understandable protest from verse 13, highlighting the severe danger represented by Saul's official mission. This emphasizes the radical nature of the Lord's command to Ananias, setting up the weighty prophetic declaration that will follow. This context of clear and present danger makes the Lord's subsequent words about Saul's future all the more powerful and surprising.

v.13But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:

v.14This passage

v.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:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Timothy 2:22

    But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

  • Acts 9:2

    and 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.

  • Acts 22:16

    And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2

    unto the church of God which is at Corinth, eventhem that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, calledto besaints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, theirLordand ours:

  • Acts 7:59

    And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

  • Acts 9:21

    And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.

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