Acts 9:14 - Ananias Baptizes Saul

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Context

Ananias Baptizes Saul
…13But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” 15“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.…

Cross References

Acts 22:5
as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.Acts 26:10
And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them.Acts 8:3
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.Acts 22:19-20
‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. / And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’Acts 26:12
In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.Acts 7:58
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.Acts 22:4
I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison,Acts 26:9-11
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.Acts 8:1
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.Acts 9:1-2
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.Acts 9:21
All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”Acts 22:3
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.Acts 26:14
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’Acts 6:13-14
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”Acts 5:34-39
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time. / “Men of Israel,” he said, “consider carefully what you are about to do to these men. / Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. ...

Acts 9:2,3
And 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…

call.

Acts 9:21
But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

Acts 7:59
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

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Acts 9

And now he is here
This phrase indicates a sense of urgency and immediacy. Saul's presence in Damascus is not a future event but a current reality. This reflects the rapid spread of the early Christian movement and the swift response by Jewish authorities to suppress it. Saul's journey from Jerusalem to Damascus, approximately 135 miles, underscores his determination to carry out his mission against the followers of Jesus.

with authority from the chief priests
The chief priests were influential leaders within the Jewish religious hierarchy, responsible for maintaining religious order and authority. Their granting of authority to Saul highlights the seriousness with which they viewed the threat of the nascent Christian movement. This authority likely included letters or documents that empowered Saul to act on their behalf, reflecting the centralized religious power structure of the time.

to arrest all who call on Your name
"Call on Your name" is a reference to the early Christians who invoked the name of Jesus in prayer and worship, signifying their allegiance to Him as Lord. This phrase connects to the broader biblical theme of calling on the name of the Lord for salvation, as seen in passages like Joel 2:32 and Romans 10:13. The intent to arrest these individuals underscores the perceived threat they posed to traditional Jewish beliefs and the lengths to which authorities would go to suppress the spread of Christianity.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Saul (Paul)
A zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians, later becoming the Apostle Paul after his conversion.

2. Ananias
A disciple in Damascus who receives a vision from the Lord instructing him to visit Saul.

3. Chief Priests
Jewish religious leaders who granted Saul authority to arrest Christians.

4. Damascus
A city where Saul intended to arrest Christians, but where he instead encountered Jesus and was converted.

5. The Way
Early term for the Christian faith, referring to those who "call on Your name," meaning followers of Jesus.

Teaching Points

Authority and Misuse
Saul's authority from the chief priests was intended for harm, but God had a greater plan. Reflect on how earthly authority can be misused and how God can redirect it for His purposes.

Transformation through Encounter
Saul's life was radically changed through his encounter with Jesus. Consider how personal encounters with Christ can transform lives today.

Courage in Obedience
Ananias showed courage in obeying God's command to visit Saul, despite his fears. Reflect on the importance of trusting God and stepping out in faith, even when it seems risky.

The Power of Prayer
The phrase "call on Your name" emphasizes the importance of prayer and reliance on God. Encourage a deeper commitment to prayer as a means of seeking God's will and strength.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human plans, God's sovereignty prevails. Trust in God's ultimate control over circumstances, even when they seem dire.

(14) All that call on thy name.--Here again we have to trace the growth of a new terminology. The description of the disciples of the Lord Jesus as those who called upon or invoked His name, had its origin in the words of Joel cited by St. Peter (Acts 2:21), and afterwards by St. Paul (Romans 10:13). It is used again in Acts 9:21, and afterwards in 1Corinthians 1:2; 2Timothy 2:22. It may be noted further (1) that the same word is used of calling upon the Father (1Peter 1:17), and of calling on Christ (here and Acts 7:59); and (2) that this also, like the term "saints" discussed in the fore going Note, passed from Ananias to St. Paul. . . .

Verse 14. - Upon for on, A.V. That call upon thy name. So also ver. 21; Romans 10:12, 13; 1 Corinthians 1:2; and above, Acts 7:59, this same phrase describes the believer who makes his prayer to the Lord Jesus and trusts in his Name for salvation. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And now
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[he is] here
ὧδε (hōde)
Adverb
Strong's 5602: From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither.

with
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

authority
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

from
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chief priests
ἀρχιερέων (archiereōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

to arrest
δῆσαι (dēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

who
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

call on
ἐπικαλουμένους (epikaloumenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1941: (a) To call (name) by a supplementary (additional, alternative) name, (b) mid: To call upon, appeal to, address.

Your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

name.”
ὄνομά (onoma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

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