Acts 9 10

Acts 9:10 kjv

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

Acts 9:10 nkjv

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."

Acts 9:10 niv

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.

Acts 9:10 esv

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."

Acts 9:10 nlt

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord!" he replied.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 10 Meaning

Acts 9:10 introduces Ananias, a devoted disciple living in Damascus, at a crucial moment. The Lord Jesus appears to him in a direct vision, calling him by name, and Ananias responds with immediate readiness. This sets the stage for God's extraordinary use of an ordinary believer to minister to Saul of Tarsus, highlighting divine personal communication and calling.

Acts 9 10 Context

Acts chapter 9 opens with Saul's intense persecution of Christians, leading to his dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. Struck blind and in deep spiritual conviction, Saul is led into the city (Acts 9:1-9). It is within this immediate aftermath of Saul's conversion that Acts 9:10 introduces Ananias. Damascus, an ancient and important city, was a known hub for Jewish communities, making it a natural place for early Christian outreach. The broader historical context is the nascent Christian movement beginning to expand beyond Jerusalem, requiring new structures and agents for God's plan. The passage demonstrates God's sovereign hand guiding individual believers for specific tasks within this rapidly growing movement.

Acts 9 10 Word analysis

• Now (Greek: De, δέ): A common conjunction marking transition. Here, it introduces a new subject and moves the narrative from Saul's experience to Ananias.
• there was (Greek: ēn, ἦν): Simple past tense of "to be." States the existence of a person.
• a certain disciple (Greek: mathētēs tis, μαθητής τις):
  • Mathētēs: Literally "learner" or "pupil," referring to a follower of Christ. This emphasizes his spiritual identity as one committed to Jesus' teachings and authority. It is significant that an "ordinary" disciple, not an apostle or church leader, is chosen.
  • Tis: "A certain one," indicating a specific individual without immediate prior introduction, lending a sense of particularity and intentionality.
• at Damascus (Greek: en Damaskō, ἐν Δαμασκῷ):
  • En: "In" or "at."
  • Damaskō: Refers to Damascus, a well-known, ancient Hellenistic city, a major center in Syria. Its inclusion pinpoints the specific location for the divine interaction, connecting to Saul's presence there. Historically, it held symbolic weight from Old Testament prophecies, now receiving a new spiritual significance as a place where the Gospel would penetrate deeply.
• named Ananias (Greek: onomati Ananias, ὀνόματι Ἀνανίας):
  • Onomati: "By name," serving to specifically identify him.
  • Ananias: A common Jewish name meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "the Lord has been gracious." The name itself could foreshadow God's grace through him to Saul.
• And the Lord (Greek: Kai ho Kyrios, καὶ ὁ Κύριος):
  • Kai: "And," continuing the narrative.
  • Ho Kyrios: "The Lord." In Acts, particularly after the resurrection, Kyrios is consistently used to refer to Jesus, confirming His divine authority and personal involvement in directing His church.
• said to him (Greek: eipen pros auton, εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν): "Said to him." Indicates a direct, personal communication.
• in a vision (Greek: en horamati, ἐν ὁράματι):
  • En: "In."
  • Horamati: "Vision." This term denotes a supernatural appearance or revelation, often experienced by prophets or divinely appointed individuals. It highlights the divine, rather than human, origin of the instruction. This specific mode of communication affirms God's continued direct intervention.
• Ananias! (Greek: Anania, Ἀνανία): A direct, singular, personal address, drawing immediate attention. Such a specific call by name is a biblical pattern of God initiating contact with individuals for a unique purpose (e.g., Abraham, Moses, Samuel).
• And he said, "Behold, I am here, Lord." (Greek: ho de eipen, Idou egō, kyrie, ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, Ἰδοὺ ἐγώ, κύριε):
  • Ho de eipen: "He replied." Shows immediate response.
  • Idou egō: "Behold, I," or "Here I am." This is a standard biblical phrase expressing availability, readiness, and often, submission to a divine summons (e.g., Isa 6:8; Gen 22:11; 1 Sam 3:10).
  • Kyrie: "Lord" (vocative form). Ananias addresses Jesus as "Lord," affirming His authority even before knowing the specific instruction, demonstrating his pre-existing devotion and obedience.

Acts 9 10 Bonus section

• The naming of Ananias and the detail about him being "a disciple at Damascus" highlights Luke's careful historical detail. Such specifics were common in ancient historical accounts to establish credibility and anchor events in verifiable places and people.
• The emphasis on "a disciple" signifies the broad call to service in the early church. It wasn't just apostles who received visions and direct instructions; God worked through dedicated followers in various capacities, indicating that all who belong to Christ have a role to play. This subtly challenges hierarchical views that exclude ordinary members from significant divine commission.

Acts 9 10 Commentary

Acts 9:10 functions as a pivotal interlude between Saul's conversion and his anointing. It underscores several crucial points: God's sovereign choice to use anyone, not just prominent leaders, in His divine plans; the intimacy of His personal communication through visions, directly addressing His chosen instruments by name; and the model of immediate and reverent availability exemplified by Ananias. His ready response, "Here I am, Lord," is an echo of biblical figures called to prophetic tasks, demonstrating deep discipleship. The use of "Lord" (Kyrios) for Jesus affirms His deity and authority over the nascent church. This passage implicitly challenges contemporary beliefs that visions ceased or were solely for a select few, revealing God's direct, personal, and supernatural engagement with ordinary believers to advance His kingdom.