ACT 9:10-19

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus, Ananias by name. And the Lord said to him in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Behold, here am I, Lord.' [9:11] The Lord said to him, 'Having risen, go into the street being called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas a man from Tarsus, Saul by name — for behold, he is praying, [9:12] and he has seen in a vision a man, Ananias by name, having come in and having placed hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.' [9:13] But Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man, how many evils he did to your holy ones in Jerusalem; [9:14] and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all those calling on your name.' [9:15] The Lord said to him, 'Go, for this one is a vessel of choice to me, to carry my name before both the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. [9:16] For I myself will show him how many things it is necessary for him to suffer for the sake of my name.' [9:17] Then Ananias went away and entered into the house, and having laid hands upon him he said, 'Saul, Brother, the Lord has sent me — Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road by which you were coming — that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' [9:18] And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight; and having risen up he was baptized, [9:19] and having taken food he was strengthened. And it came about that he was with the disciples in Damascus for some days.

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Damascus, Ananias, a disciple, would have understood his vision as a direct divine command, a common motif in Jewish and early Christian narratives. The Lord’s instruction to seek Saul in the house of Judas on Straight Street reflects the urban layout of Roman cities, where main thoroughfares like Straight Street were well-known landmarks. Saul’s reputation as a persecutor of the saints would have made Ananias hesitant, as Saul’s actions threatened the fledgling Christian community. The term 'vessel' used to describe Saul carries connotations of being chosen or set apart for a specific purpose, a metaphor familiar in Jewish thought. Ananias’s obedience to baptize Saul signifies the breaking down of barriers within the early church, as Saul, a former enemy, is welcomed as a 'brother' , a term that underscores familial unity in the Christian community. This act of baptism would have been seen as a public declaration of Saul’s new identity and mission.

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How other translations render this

ACT 9:10

KJV: And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
BSB: In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered.
Koinōnos: Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus, Ananias by name. And the Lord said to him in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Behold, here am I, Lord.

ACT 9:11

KJV: And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
BSB: “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
Koinōnos: The Lord said to him, 'Having risen, go into the street being called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas a man from Tarsus, Saul by name — for behold, he is praying,

ACT 9:12

KJV: And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
BSB: In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Koinōnos: and he has seen in a vision a man, Ananias by name, having come in and having placed hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.

ACT 9:13

KJV: Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
BSB: But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
Koinōnos: But Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man, how many evils he did to your holy ones in Jerusalem;

ACT 9:14

KJV: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
BSB: And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”
Koinōnos: and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all those calling on your name.

ACT 9:15

KJV: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
BSB: “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.
Koinōnos: The Lord said to him, 'Go, for this one is a vessel of choice to me, to carry my name before both the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.

ACT 9:16

KJV: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
BSB: I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
Koinōnos: For I myself will show him how many things it is necessary for him to suffer for the sake of my name.

ACT 9:17

KJV: And 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.
BSB: So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Koinōnos: Then Ananias went away and entered into the house, and having laid hands upon him he said, 'Saul, Brother, the Lord has sent me — Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road by which you were coming — that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

ACT 9:18

KJV: And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
BSB: At that instant, something like scales fell from Saulʼs eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized,
Koinōnos: And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight; and having risen up he was baptized,

ACT 9:19

KJV: And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
BSB: and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
Koinōnos: and having taken food he was strengthened. And it came about that he was with the disciples in Damascus for some days.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 9:10

disciple:The word translated 'disciple' here refers to a learner or pupil, someone who actively follows and adopts the teachings and way of life of their master, not merely a casual follower.

ACT 9:14

calling on:The phrase 'calling on' implies invoking or appealing to someone, often a deity, for help or as a witness, suggesting a deep reliance and public acknowledgment.

ACT 9:15

a vessel:The word translated 'a vessel' can refer to any kind of implement or container, but in this context, it carries the sense of an instrument or tool chosen for a specific purpose.

ACT 9:17

Brother,:The term 'Brother' was a common form of address among early Christians, signifying a deep spiritual kinship and shared identity within the community, beyond mere familial relation.