Acts 9:17
What does Acts 9:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:17 means
Obeying the Lord's command, Ananias went to the house where Saul was. Laying his hands on Saul, Ananias addressed him as "Brother Saul," a profound and immediate recognition of his new identity in Christ. He then declared that Jesus, who had appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, had sent him to restore Saul's sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit. This act of faith, obedience, and welcoming fellowship was a crucial step in Saul's full conversion and empowerment for ministry.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Ananias went out and came to the house, and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, whom you saw when you were on your journey, has sent me, so that you may be able to see, and be full of the Holy Spirit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Ananias went away, and did enter into the house, and having put upon him <FI>his<Fi> hands, said, `Saul, brother, the Lord hath sent me--Jesus who did appear to thee in the way in which thou wast coming--that thou mayest see again, and mayest be filled with the Holy Spirit.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Ananias went his way and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest, that thou mayest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him he said, Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest, that thou mightest see, and be filled with [the] Holy Spirit.
Context
Following the Lord's compelling revelation in verses 15 and 16, Ananias demonstrates his obedience by immediately going to Saul. His actions—laying on hands, addressing Saul as "Brother Saul," and delivering the Lord's message—are critical. This direct intervention by Ananias facilitates Saul's physical and spiritual restoration, setting the stage for his baptism and the immediate beginning of his powerful ministry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 26:15
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
- Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 9:8
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
- 1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
- Acts 9:4
and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
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