Devine Scripture

Acts 9:26

What does Acts 9:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 9:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 9:26 means

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Saul attempted to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. His notorious past as a violent persecutor of Christians made them deeply suspicious, as they simply could not believe that such a radical enemy had truly become a follower of Jesus. This reaction is entirely understandable, reflecting the depth of the fear and trauma he had caused within the early church community.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he came to Jerusalem, he made an attempt to be joined to the disciples, but they were all in fear of him, not taking him for a disciple.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Saul, having come to Jerusalem, did try to join himself to the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he is a disciple,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he was come into Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples: and they all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having arrived at Jerusalem he essayed to join himself to the disciples, and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

Context

After his narrow escape from Damascus in verse 25, Saul now seeks to join the church in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the profound skepticism and fear among the disciples, a direct consequence of his notorious past persecution. This initial rejection sets the stage for Barnabas's crucial intervention, which is necessary to bridge the gap of distrust and bring Saul into fellowship with the apostles.

v.25but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

v.26This passage

v.27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 9:19

    and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.

  • Acts 4:23

    And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 24:10

    And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another.

  • Galatians 2:4

    and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

  • Acts 22:17

    And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,

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