Acts 22 12

Acts 22:12 kjv

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

Acts 22:12 nkjv

"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,

Acts 22:12 niv

"A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.

Acts 22:12 esv

"And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,

Acts 22:12 nlt

A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus.

Acts 22 verses

Acts 22 12 Meaning

This verse introduces Ananias as the individual commissioned by God to minister to Saul (Paul) after his Damascus Road experience. Paul, in his defense speech to the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, carefully describes Ananias's reputable standing within the Jewish community. He emphasizes Ananias's deep adherence to the Mosaic Law and universal good repute among the local Jewish residents in Damascus. This presentation aims to lend credibility to Ananias and, by extension, to the divine commission Paul received through him, thereby making his narrative more palatable to his devout Jewish audience.

Acts 22 12 Context

Acts 22:12 is part of Paul's impassioned defense speech given from the temple steps in Jerusalem to a Jewish crowd who had attempted to kill him, believing he had defiled the Temple (Acts 21:27-31). This particular speech (Acts 22:1-21) is meticulously tailored to his Jewish audience. Paul recounts his Jewish upbringing, his zealous adherence to the Law, his persecution of early Christians, and crucially, his dramatic conversion on the Damascus Road. He then introduces Ananias, a figure central to his recovery and commissioning. By emphasizing Ananias's devoutness and excellent reputation among Jews in Damascus, Paul aims to counter any immediate suspicion or dismissal of his story. He appeals to their shared understanding of righteous living according to the Torah, presenting Ananias as a credible and respected individual within their own religious framework, thereby legitimizing the extraordinary encounter that followed. The broader context highlights the tension between devout Jews and followers of "the Way" (Christianity) in the early church, and Paul's attempt to bridge that gap through a narrative rooted in his undeniable Jewish identity.

Acts 22 12 Word analysis

• And one Ananias (Ἀνανίας δέ τις, Ananias de tis):
  • Ἀνανίας (Ananias): Greek form of the Hebrew Hananiah, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." This is distinct from the Ananias of Acts 5. His name itself points to divine grace, a significant subtle detail for Paul's audience. "One" (tis) implies that while perhaps just "a certain Ananias" to those unfamiliar, he was a locally significant and respected figure.
• a devout man (ἀνὴρ εὐσεβὴς, anēr eusebes):
  • ἀνὴρ (anēr): A male, a man. This term combined with eusebes indicates a person of moral character and esteemed standing within the community.
  • εὐσεβὴς (eusebes): "Pious," "reverent," "godly." This Greek word denotes respect for God, holy things, and is frequently associated with outward acts of religion and upright moral conduct. It speaks to a character of genuine spiritual devotion, akin to figures like Cornelius (Acts 10:2) and Simeon (Lk 2:25).
• according to the law (κατὰ τὸν νόμον, kata ton nomon):
  • κατὰ (kata): "According to," "in conformity with." This preposition emphasizes strict adherence and alignment, indicating Ananias lived precisely as the Law commanded.
  • τὸν νόμον (ton nomon): "The Law," specifically the Mosaic Law (Torah). This phrase is paramount. It tells Paul's Jewish audience that Ananias was a practicing, observant Jew who upheld the traditions and commandments central to their faith. This is a critical point in Paul's rhetoric, establishing Ananias's unquestionable credentials with his listeners.
• having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there (μαρτυρούμενος ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν κατοικούντων Ἰουδαίων, martyroumenos hypo pantōn tōn katoikountōn Ioudaiōn):
  • μαρτυρούμενος (martyroumenos): A present passive participle from martyreō, "to bear witness," "to testify." In the passive voice, it means "being testified to," or "having a good testimony/reputation." It signifies that his character was publicly and widely acknowledged as commendable. This wasn't merely his personal assessment, but a general community consensus.
  • ὑπὸ πάντων (hypo pantōn): "By all," or "from everyone." This emphasizes the universality of his good reputation within the specific group mentioned. It underscores that Ananias's good standing was not just among a select few but a community-wide acknowledgment.
  • τῶν κατοικούντων Ἰουδαίων (tōn katoikountōn Ioudaiōn): "The dwelling Jews," or "the Jews who dwelt there." This explicitly limits the scope to the Jewish community in Damascus. It reinforces that Ananias was a respected member of their specific religious community, providing undeniable credibility for Paul's narrative in the eyes of his Jerusalem audience. This precise wording acts as a powerful apologetic point for Paul.

Acts 22 12 Bonus section

Paul's deliberate emphasis on Ananias's Jewish devoutness and stellar reputation underscores his nuanced approach to evangelism and apologetics, especially when addressing fellow Jews. It challenges the assumption that God's work in Christ only calls individuals out of Judaism into something entirely foreign. Instead, it suggests a profound continuity, showing that God works through respected, observant Jews within their established communities. This serves not only to validate Ananias and, by extension, Paul's conversion experience, but also to subtly invite Paul's Jewish listeners to consider that the messianic movement, "the Way," was not antithetical to their heritage but was rather a divine fulfillment initiated even by those among their most respected.

Acts 22 12 Commentary

Acts 22:12 is a masterful rhetorical move by Paul in his defense. Facing a hostile Jewish crowd, Paul skillfully frames Ananias's introduction to preempt their dismissal. By describing Ananias as a devout man, not just generically, but specifically "according to the Law," and one universally well-regarded "by all the Jews" in Damascus, Paul endows Ananias with irrefutable Jewish credentials. This detail is crucial because it portrays the person God chose to initiate Paul into his new faith as deeply rooted in traditional Judaism. Ananias is presented as one of their own—a respected, law-abiding Jew—thus making his connection to Paul's miraculous experience less threatening and more credible to a zealously Jewish audience. This strategic presentation helps to legitimize Paul's subsequent narrative of conversion and commissioning, suggesting divine continuity rather than rupture.