2 Corinthians 11 33

2 Corinthians 11:33 kjv

And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

2 Corinthians 11:33 nkjv

but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

2 Corinthians 11:33 niv

But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.

2 Corinthians 11:33 esv

but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.

2 Corinthians 11:33 nlt

I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.

2 Corinthians 11 33 Cross References

VerseTextReference
2 Cor 11:32And at Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, guarded the city of Damascus with a garrison...Contextual Preceding Verse
Acts 9:23-25Then after many days were accomplished, the Jews took counsel to kill him. But their laying await was known of Saul...Fulfillment/Parallel Account
Ps 31:1-3...Incline thine ear unto me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, of a house of defence to save me.God's Deliverance Provision
Ps 31:4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.God as Deliverer
Ps 34:7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.Angelic Protection
Ps 124:6-7Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler...Deliverance from Snares
Isa 31:5As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.Divine Protection Metaphor
Jer 1:17-19...I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls, against the whole land...God's Protective Strength
Matt 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.Wisdom in Danger
Matt 10:28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.Focus on Eternal Salvation
Luke 4:29-30And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.Similar Near-Death Experience
John 15:18-19If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.Persecution for Christ's Sake
Acts 14:19-20And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city...Stoned and Recovered
Rom 8:35-39Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.Unfading Love of Christ
Phil 1:12-14But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.Gospel Furthered by Suffering
2 Tim 3:10-11But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured...Paul's Recorded Sufferings
2 Tim 4:5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.Exhortation to Endure
2 Tim 4:16-18At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me... and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.Divine Aid in Court
Gal 1:13-14For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it; And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.Paul's Previous Zeal
Eph 6:11-12Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.Spiritual Warfare

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 33 Meaning

The verse describes a narrow escape from Damascus where Paul was lowered down through a window in the city wall. This action was orchestrated by his disciples to save him from the governor who was guarding the city with the intent to arrest him. It highlights the personal danger Paul faced for his faith and the loyalty of his followers in aiding his mission.

2 Corinthians 11 33 Context

In 2 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul is recounting various trials and sufferings he has endured for the sake of the Gospel, contrasting himself with "super-apostles" who were seeking to discredit him. He details dangers from various sources, including Jews, Gentiles, and false brethren, as well as hardships like shipwrecks and constant perils. This verse specifically details a remarkable escape from Damascus. The historical context is the early spread of Christianity, with Paul being a central figure whose ministry often provoked opposition, leading to situations where his life was in danger. The literary context places this account within Paul's passionate defense of his apostleship and his unwavering commitment to Christ despite severe persecution.

2 Corinthians 11 33 Word analysis

  • And: Conjunction linking this event to the previous sentence.

  • at: Preposition indicating location.

  • Damascus: A major ancient city in Syria, significant for its role in the early spread of Christianity and Saul's conversion (Acts 9).

  • the governor: Refers to the ethnarch or ruler of Damascus, under Aretas IV.

  • under Aretas the king: Indicates Aretas IV, an Arab king of the Nabateans, who controlled Damascus at the time. This places the event within a specific historical period.

  • guarded: Means to watch over or keep under surveillance with the intention of apprehension.

  • the city of Damascus: Specifies the location of the intended capture.

  • with a garrison: Signifies a military guard or body of troops, emphasizing the organized effort to capture Paul.

  • day(s): Suggests the duration of this surveillance.

  • to take me: Explicitly states the objective of the governor and his guards – to arrest Paul.

  • and: Conjunction linking the first part of the sentence with the second.

  • through: Preposition indicating the means or passage.

  • a window: Literally "through the window." This highlights an unusual and covert method of escape, implying stealth.

  • in a basket: Specifies the means of descent – a container used for carrying things.

  • lowered me down: Describes the action of his disciples, their support and participation in his escape.

  • this refers to Paul himself.

  • Paul's disciples/followers: The active agents of his deliverance.

2 Corinthians 11 33 Bonus section

The governor guarding Damascus was likely an appointee of Aretas IV, the Nabataean king whose kingdom included Damascus during part of this period. The Gospels recount an earlier incident where hostile Jews of Damascus sought to kill Paul by watching the gates (Acts 9:23-24), similar to this event. The mention of a "garrison" implies an organized, official effort to apprehend him. The mode of escape, lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall, demonstrates extreme danger and the necessity of covert action. This type of escape also foreshadows or is paralleled by Jesus' instruction to His disciples to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves when facing persecution (Matthew 10:16). The loyalty of Paul's disciples in this act mirrors the devoted followers who stood by other persecuted biblical figures, such as Elijah being supplied by the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:10-16) or Ebed-melech aiding Jeremiah in the cistern (Jeremiah 38:7-13). Paul often faced attempts on his life, as he himself recounted earlier in the chapter and in Acts. His suffering and deliverance were ultimately seen as furthering the gospel (Philippians 1:12).

2 Corinthians 11 33 Commentary

This verse paints a vivid picture of Paul's precarious situation in Damascus. Facing imminent capture by authorities acting on behalf of those who wanted him silenced, he was delivered through an unconventional and clandestine escape. His followers, demonstrating immense loyalty and resourcefulness, orchestrated a perilous descent down the city wall in a basket. This event underscores the reality of the threats Paul constantly faced in his missionary journeys. It serves as a testament to both his willingness to endure hardship for the Gospel and the dedication of those who supported his ministry. The act of being "lowered down" signifies not just a physical escape, but also a testament to divine providence working through human agents to preserve a vital vessel for God's work. It echoes similar themes of God delivering His servants through extraordinary means when human efforts alone would have failed.