Acts 9:8
What does Acts 9:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:8 means
Immediately after his encounter with Jesus, Saul rose from the earth but found that he could not see; he was completely blind. His traveling companions then had to lead him by the hand into Damascus. This physical blindness parallels his previous spiritual blindness, where he was unable to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. This immediate consequence of the divine encounter underscores the transformative power of the experience, leaving him physically helpless and dependent.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Saul got up from the earth, and when his eyes were open, he saw nothing; and he was guided by the hand into Damascus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Saul arose from the earth, and his eyes having been opened, he beheld no one, and leading him by the hand they brought him to Damascus,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Saul arose from the ground: and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they, leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Saul rose up from the earth, and his eyes being opened he saw no one. But leading [him] by the hand they brought him into Damascus.
Context
Directly following the divine encounter and his companions' confusion detailed in verse 7, this verse describes Saul's immediate physical consequence. His blindness marks a significant turning point, incapacitating him and forcing dependence on others, which is critical for his humility and preparation for new sight. This physical state sets the stage for his three-day fast and Ananias's divine mission.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 13:11
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
- Acts 22:11
And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me I came into Damascus.
- 2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
- Genesis 19:11
And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
- Acts 9:18
And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;
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