Acts 9:19
What does Acts 9:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:19 means
After receiving his sight and being baptized, Saul took food and regained his strength. This physical recovery after three days of fasting and a profound spiritual encounter signifies his return to normal life, albeit a completely transformed one. He then spent "certain days" with the disciples in Damascus, indicating a period of fellowship, learning, and integration into the Christian community he had once sought to destroy. This time of spiritual nourishment and fellowship was vital for his growth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when he had taken food his strength came back. And for some days he kept with the disciples who were in Damascus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having received nourishment, was strengthened, and Saul was with the disciples in Damascus certain days,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when he had taken meat, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and, having received food, got strength. And he was with the disciples who [were] in Damascus certain days.
Context
Following his sight restoration and baptism in verse 18, this verse details Saul's physical recovery and initial fellowship. This period of strengthening and association with the Damascus disciples is essential for understanding his immediate capacity to preach. It acts as a bridge, demonstrating his full integration into the Christian community before he embarks on his powerful and surprising public ministry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 26:20
but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
- Galatians 1:17
neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.
- 1 Samuel 30:12
and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
- Acts 11:26
and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
- Acts 27:33
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.
- 1 Samuel 10:10
And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came mightily upon him, and he prophesied among them.
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