Acts 8 3

Acts 8:3 kjv

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 8:3 nkjv

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Acts 8:3 niv

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 8:3 esv

But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Acts 8:3 nlt

But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 3 Meaning

The verse describes Saul's relentless and aggressive persecution of the early Christian church. He actively sought out believers, entering their homes to arrest them, demonstrating a determined effort to eradicate the nascent faith. This was done with a mandate from the high priests.

Acts 8 3 Context

This verse immediately follows the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54-60). This event ignited a severe persecution against the church in Jerusalem, leading many believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria. Saul of Tarsus, a zealous Pharisee deeply opposed to the new movement, received official authority from the Jewish Sanhedrin (high priests and elders) to pursue and arrest Christians. His intention was to bring them back to Jerusalem for trial and punishment, effectively aiming to dismantle the church from its very foundation. This was a time of intense pressure and risk for the early followers of Jesus.

Acts 8 3 Word Analysis

• Saul (Σαοὺλ - Saoul): The Hebrew name meaning "desired" or "asked for." Initially, this was his given name, a Jew from Tarsus with Roman citizenship.

• still (ἔτι - eti): Indicates continuation of a previous state or action. Saul's hostile attitude and actions were ongoing.

• breathing out (ἐμπνέων - empneōn): Present participle of "empneo," meaning to breathe into, exhale, or inspire. Used here metaphorically to describe the intensity of his rage and threats, as if they were coming out with every breath.

• threats (ἀπειλῆς - apeilēs): Plural of "apeile," meaning a threat, denunciation, or menace. Saul was actively making pronouncements of impending danger and violence.

• and (καὶ - kai): A conjunction linking "threats" and "murder."

• murder (φόνου - phonou): Genitive case of "phonos," meaning murder, bloodshed, or slaughter. This signifies his intention and desire for the violent death of Christians.

• against (εἰς - eis): A preposition indicating motion toward or the object of an action.

• the disciples (τῶν μαθητῶν - tōn mathētōn): Genitive plural of "mathētēs," meaning disciple or learner. Refers specifically to the followers of Jesus Christ.

• of the Lord (τοῦ Κυρίου - tou Kyriou): Genitive singular of "Kyrios," meaning Lord or Master. Here it clearly refers to Jesus Christ, recognizing His divine authority.

• he (αὐτὸς - autos): Emphasizes Saul as the subject performing the action.

• went (ἐπορεύετο - eporeueto): Imperfect passive form of "poreuomai," meaning to go, walk, or proceed. The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or repeated action, showing Saul's persistent pursuit.

• to the (πρὸς τὸν - pros ton): Preposition "pros" with the accusative definite article, indicating movement toward a person.

• high priest (ἀρχιερέα - archierea): Accusative singular of "archiereus," meaning chief priest or high priest. Refers to the leading figure of the Jewish religious and political establishment.

• permission (συγχωρήσεως - synchōrēseōs): Genitive singular of "synchōrēsis," meaning permission, allowance, or forgiveness. Saul obtained authorization from the highest religious authority.

• He (οὗτος - houtos): This man, pointing to Saul with emphasis.

• had obtained (ἔσχεν - eschen): Aorist active indicative of "echo," meaning to have or hold. Indicates the acquisition of permission.

• and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction.

• letters (ἐπιστολὰς - epistolas): Accusative plural of "epistole," meaning a letter or message. Official documents to authorize his actions in foreign cities.

• from him (αὐτοῦ - autou): Genitive singular of "autos," referring back to the high priest, indicating the source of the letters.

• to Damascus (εἰς Δαμασκὸν - eis Damaskon): "Eis" meaning "into" or "to," with Damascus, the capital of ancient Syria, a major city located to the northeast of Jerusalem. This highlights the geographical scope of his pursuit.

• for the synagogues (εἰς τὰς συναγωγὰς - eis tas synagōgas): "Eis" indicating the destination, and "synagōgas," accusative plural of "synagōge," meaning synagogue, places of Jewish worship and assembly.

• that (ὅπως - hopōs): Conjunction indicating purpose, meaning "in order that" or "so that."

• if he found (ἐάν τινας εὕρῃ - ean tinas heurē): "Ean" is a particle used with the subjunctive verb "heurē" (find). This indicates a conditional purpose: if he happened to find any of this way.

• any (τινας - tinas): Indefinite pronoun, "some," referring to individual believers.

• belonging to this way (τῆς ὁδοῦ ταύτης - tēs hodou tautēs): Genitive singular of "hodos," meaning way, road, or path. "Hodos" is used here metonymically to refer to the Christian faith, the way of life defined by following Jesus. This was an early designation for Christianity, emphasizing its distinct path.

• men (ἄνδρας - andras): Accusative plural of "aner," meaning men or males.

• or (ἢ - ē): Conjunction introducing an alternative.

• women (γυναῖκας - gunaikas): Accusative plural of "gunaix," meaning women.

• he might bring (ἀποφέρῃ - aporē): Subjunctive of "apherō," meaning to carry away, bring back, or lead away.

• bound (δεδεμένους - dedemenous): Accusative plural masculine participle of "deo," meaning to bind or tie. Describes the state in which the believers were to be apprehended.

• in chains (χειροδέσμους - cheirodesmous): Accusative plural of "cheirodesmos," a diminutive meaning manacles or hand-fetters, referring to bonds used on the hands.

• Phrase Analysis: "breathing out threats and murder": This vivid imagery suggests that Saul’s hostility was not merely passive opposition but an active, consuming rage, an essential part of his being. It conveys the violence of his intentions.

• Phrase Analysis: "belonging to this Way": This term was used by both believers and outsiders to identify the followers of Jesus. It suggests a lifestyle, a specific path of life that set them apart. The authorities viewed this "Way" as a dangerous sect that needed suppression.

• Phrase Analysis: "he might bring bound": This illustrates the complete lack of rights and freedom the arrested Christians would face. They were to be subdued, immobilized, and transported like criminals or slaves.

Acts 8 3 Bonus Section

This systematic persecution by Saul foreshadows the difficulties believers would face globally, as predicted by Jesus (John 15:18-20, Matthew 10:16-22). Saul’s mission to Damascus ultimately became the turning point in his life, leading to his conversion and subsequent powerful ministry, ironically becoming the greatest evangelist for the very "Way" he sought to destroy. The authorities' willingness to extend their jurisdiction to arrest people in foreign cities highlights the inter-regional efforts against the nascent church.

Acts 8 3 Commentary

Saul’s actions here reveal the stark contrast between his former zealotry and his eventual transformation. His authority from the high priests underscores the religious establishment's perception of Christianity as a heresy that needed to be eliminated. The extended reach of his mandate to Damascus shows the growing alarm and organizational effort by Jewish authorities to stifle the spread of the gospel. The detailed instruction to arrest both men and women, bringing them bound, paints a picture of systematic, ruthless suppression. This was a critical moment, illustrating the immense pressure the early church faced. The "Way" itself, as a name, emphasizes the early Christian identity as followers of Jesus' path.