Acts 22 14

Acts 22:14 kjv

And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

Acts 22:14 nkjv

Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.

Acts 22:14 niv

"Then he said: 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.

Acts 22:14 esv

And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;

Acts 22:14 nlt

"Then he told me, 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak.

Acts 22 verses

Acts 22 14 Meaning

This verse captures the pivotal moment of divine commissioning for Saul (who would become Paul). Ananias, a faithful follower, conveys God's specific purpose for Saul: chosen by the "God of our fathers" to gain a profound understanding of God's will, to directly encounter the resurrected Jesus Christ—referred to as "the Just One"—and to receive divine revelations directly from Him. It underlines Paul's preordained destiny as a recipient of direct revelation and an authoritative witness, firmly rooted in the lineage of Israel's faith while opening towards a new dimension of God's redemptive plan.

Acts 22 14 Context

Acts 22:14 is part of Paul's defense before a hostile Jewish crowd and Roman officials in Jerusalem. Paul, having been arrested, recounts his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus, providing an eyewitness testimony to establish the divine origin of his calling and ministry. Ananias's message, as presented in this verse, acts as the prophetic seal upon Saul’s transformation. It comes after Saul’s blindness, his fasting, and Ananias’s miraculous visit, where Ananias restores Saul's sight. By quoting Ananias, Paul emphasizes that his radical shift from persecutor to preacher of Christ was not an independent decision or a deviation from Jewish faith, but rather a direct commission from the God of Israel, interpreted and confirmed by a devout Jewish believer. This context is crucial as Paul seeks to demonstrate continuity with Israel’s heritage while affirming his mission to the Gentiles.

Acts 22 14 Word analysis

• And he said: (Greek: kai eipen - καὶ εἶπεν). Refers to Ananias, a respected Jewish believer. This intro establishes that the words following are not Paul’s interpretation but Ananias's divinely inspired revelation, lending credibility to the message Paul is relaying.
• The God: (Greek: Ho Theos - Ὁ Θεός). This is the definite article "the" followed by "God," signifying the unique, monotheistic God of Israel, creator of all. It firmly grounds Paul's experience within the framework of authentic Jewish faith, distinguishing Him from any pagan deity.
• of our fathers: (Greek: tōn paterōn hēmōn - τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν). This crucial phrase links the calling directly to the covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It serves to assure Paul's Jewish audience that his conversion is not a rejection of their heritage but a continuation of the same divine plan. It signifies continuity and legitimacy for his apostleship.
• has chosen you: (Greek: proecheirisató se - προεχειρίσατό σε). From procheirizomai, meaning "to choose beforehand," "to appoint by selecting." This verb signifies a preordained, sovereign divine election or designation, not an accidental event or human choice. It asserts that Paul's call to ministry was God's initiative from the start, a powerful assertion of apostolic authority, similar to prophetic calls in the Old Testament.
• to know his will: (Greek: gnōnai to thelēma autou - γνῶναι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ). Gnōnai ("to know") implies a deep, experiential, and spiritual comprehension, not just intellectual assent. Thelēma ("will," "purpose," "desire") encompasses God's entire redemptive plan, specifically how Paul would become an integral part of its unfolding, particularly in extending the gospel to the Gentiles. This implies intimate revelation beyond what ordinary humans possess.
• to see the Just One: (Greek: kai idein ton Dikaion - καὶ ἰδεῖν τὸν Δίκαιον). Idein ("to see") denotes a direct visual encounter, essential for apostolic witness. Ton Dikaion ("the Just One") is a specific, Messianic title for Jesus Christ, affirming His perfect righteousness, innocence, and role as the Righteous Servant foretold in Isaiah 53:11. This title, used elsewhere in Acts by Peter and Stephen (Acts 3:14, 7:52), contrasts sharply with the Jewish leadership's unjust condemnation of Jesus, subtly implying their culpability and reaffirming Jesus' messianic credentials.
• and to hear the words from His mouth: (Greek: kai akousai phōnēn ek tou stomatos autou - καὶ ἀκοῦσαι φωνὴν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ). Akousai ("to hear") signifies receiving direct instruction and authoritative revelation. "Words from His mouth" emphasizes the unmediated, divine origin of Paul’s future gospel message. This establishes Paul’s apostleship as based on direct revelation from Jesus Himself, not secondary instruction or human teaching, forming the basis of his unique apostolic authority, especially in relation to the established apostles (cf. Gal 1:11-12).

Words-Group Analysis

• The God of our fathers has chosen you: This phrase anchors Paul’s radical conversion and mission within the continuous sweep of God's redemptive history with Israel. It signifies that Paul is not straying from their ancestral God but is rather fulfilling a preordained aspect of that very God’s covenantal plan. It also validates his divine election over any human merit or selection.
• to know his will, to see the Just One, and to hear the words from His mouth: This trio defines the core elements of Paul's divine commissioning and unique apostolic qualifications. It signifies a profound intellectual/spiritual understanding of God's overarching plan, a direct and authoritative personal encounter with the resurrected Christ, and the receipt of direct, unadulterated divine revelation. This composite experience uniquely qualifies Paul as an authoritative eyewitness and interpreter of the Christian message to the world.

Acts 22 14 Bonus Section

Ananias, an ordinary but devout disciple in Damascus, becomes God's instrumental mouthpiece in articulating the extraordinary destiny of Saul. His being "respected by all the Jews living there" (Acts 22:12) adds an important layer of Jewish authentication to Paul’s radical conversion story when he recounts it to a Jewish audience. The title "the Just One" for Jesus, first seen in Acts 3:14 (Peter's sermon) and Acts 7:52 (Stephen's sermon), here used by Ananias, confirms its early theological significance in the fledgling Christian community as a core identifier for the righteous Messiah who was unjustly crucified. The structure of this commissioning ("chosen... to know... to see... to hear") reflects the pattern of prophetic calls in the Old Testament, but uniquely centered on the resurrected Christ. This multi-sensory and intellectual reception of divine truth (knowing, seeing, hearing) provides the comprehensive groundwork for Paul’s extensive theological insights and apostolic endeavors.

Acts 22 14 Commentary

Acts 22:14 functions as the cornerstone of Paul's explanation for his dramatic life change, presented through Ananias's divine messenger role. It elucidates God’s preordained and specific purpose for Paul. By invoking the "God of our fathers," Ananias firmly connects Paul's call to the sacred covenant history of Israel, making it clear this is not a new god or a break from tradition, but an unveiling of God's continued plan. The triple emphasis – "to know his will," "to see the Just One," and "to hear the words from His mouth" – provides a robust foundation for Paul's apostolic authority. He was chosen to grasp the divine blueprint, to encounter the righteous Messiah who had been rejected by many, and to receive his specific mandate directly from Jesus. This direct and personal revelation legitimized Paul as an eyewitness to the resurrected Christ and a conveyor of an unmediated, authoritative gospel, preparing him to bridge the divide between Judaism and the emerging Gentile mission.