Acts 9:2
What does Acts 9:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:2 means
Saul's journey to Damascus was not a casual trip but an official mission backed by the highest Jewish religious authority. The "letters" he obtained from the high priest granted him legal power to extend his persecution beyond Jerusalem into foreign cities. His aim was to find any followers of "the Way," both men and women, and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial and punishment. This demonstrates the organized and extensive nature of the early persecution against the nascent Christian movement.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And made a request for letters from him to the Synagogues of Damascus, so that if there were any of the Way there, men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862did ask from him letters to Damascus, unto the synagogues, that if he may find any being of the way, both men and women, he may bring them bound to Jerusalem.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, so that if he found any who were of the way, both men and women, he might bring [them] bound to Jerusalem.
Context
Building on the previous verse's description of Saul's fervor, this verse details the specific scope and authority of his mission. His journey to Damascus, a significant city, underscores the widespread nature of his persecution. This pursuit of believers in a distant city establishes the critical setting for the miraculous encounter that will follow, changing the course of Saul's life and the church's history.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 9:14
and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.
- Acts 19:23
And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
- Esther 3:8
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.
- Acts 18:25
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John:
- Acts 22:4
and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
- Acts 19:9
But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
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