Acts 9 13

Acts 9:13 kjv

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Acts 9:13 nkjv

Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

Acts 9:13 niv

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.

Acts 9:13 esv

But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.

Acts 9:13 nlt

"But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 13 Meaning

Acts 9:13 portrays Ananias's immediate, human reaction to the Lord's command to visit Saul, the notorious persecutor of Christians. Ananias expresses his apprehension, confirming his extensive knowledge of Saul's violent acts against believers in Jerusalem and elsewhere. He underscores the severity of Saul's deeds by noting they were directed against "thy saints," emphasizing the direct affront to the Lord and His people.

Acts 9 13 Context

Acts 9:13 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Saul's conversion. It follows the dramatic account of Saul's blinding vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus and the Lord's subsequent direct instruction to Ananias (Acts 9:10-12) in a vision. The Lord commanded Ananias, a local disciple in Damascus, to find Saul, lay hands on him, and restore his sight. Ananias's response in this verse highlights the prevailing fear and notoriety surrounding Saul, who had been actively persecuting "the Way" (early Christians) in Jerusalem and had come to Damascus specifically with authority to apprehend more believers. This verse establishes Ananias's very human, natural apprehension, demonstrating the stark contrast between human understanding of circumstances and God's sovereign, transformative plan. It sets the stage for God's extraordinary work in turning a persecutor into His most ardent evangelist, demonstrating that divine plans often defy human expectations and overcome the most entrenched hostilities.

Acts 9 13 Word analysis

• Then Ananias: Ananias (Greek: Ἀνανίας, Ananias) means "Yahweh has been gracious" or "cloud of the Lord." He was a disciple in Damascus, unknown elsewhere in scripture before or after this event. His name holds a divine irony given the nature of his mission—bringing grace to the greatest persecutor of the time.
• answered: The Greek word is ἀπεκρίθη (apekrīthē), a common term for answering a question or responding to a statement. Here, it denotes Ananias's direct vocal reply to the Lord's specific instruction from the previous verses (Acts 9:11-12). It implies a two-way communication and highlights Ananias's ability to converse with the Lord.
• Lord: The Greek term Κύριε (Kyrie) is used. This form of address is used for both a respectful human master or ruler, and more significantly, for God Himself. In this context, given the direct communication and instructions Ananias received in the vision, it is a clear acknowledgement of Jesus as divine Lord and authority.
• I have heard: From the Greek ἀκήκοα (akēkoa), a perfect active indicative of ἀκούω (akouō), meaning "to hear." The perfect tense emphasizes a sustained or continuous state of having heard, indicating a widespread and established knowledge of Saul's reputation rather than a mere rumor.
• by many: The Greek phrase ἀπὸ πολλῶν (apo pollōn) denotes that the reports about Saul were widely disseminated and known from numerous sources. This underscores the notoriety and public awareness of Saul's intense persecution of Christians, making Ananias's hesitation perfectly understandable from a human perspective.
• of this man: Referring to Saul (of Tarsus). The designation τοῦ ἀνδρὸς τούτου (tou andros toutou) "this man," highlights Saul's singular identity as the feared persecutor, not just one among many.
• how much evil: The Greek phrase ὅσα ἐκάκωσεν (hosa ekakōsen) is impactful. ἐκάκωσεν (ekakōsen), from κακόω (kakoō), means to do harm, treat ill, oppress, injure, or cause affliction. This strong verb confirms the severity and malevolent intent behind Saul's actions, going beyond mere opposition to active mistreatment and persecution.
• he hath done: Specifies Saul's direct agency in inflicting harm.
• to thy saints: The Greek term τοὺς ἁγίους σου (tous hagious sou) is significant. ἁγίους (hagious) means "holy ones" or "saints." In early Christian usage, "saints" referred to all believers, those consecrated or set apart by God for His purposes, living or dead. Ananias's phrasing, "thy saints," explicitly links the persecuted believers directly to the Lord, indicating that an attack on them is an attack on Him and His divinely appointed people. This demonstrates Ananias's deep understanding of the intimate connection between Christ and His followers.
• at Jerusalem: The city ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ (en Hierousalem) grounds the evil deeds in a specific, known geographical context. Jerusalem was the initial hub of the Christian movement and, consequently, the primary locus of persecution led by Saul before his commission took him to Damascus.

Acts 9 13 Bonus section

• Ananias's name, meaning "Yahweh has been gracious," stands in profound irony given that he expresses fear regarding Saul, who would become the greatest testament to Yahweh's grace.
• Ananias's concern for "thy saints" reflects the early church's clear understanding of itself as the consecrated, set-apart people of God, establishing a powerful corporate identity rooted in Christ.
• This scene offers a compelling example of human trepidation being met with divine resolve. It echoes similar moments in biblical history where God's chosen ones express initial reluctance to formidable tasks (e.g., Moses before Pharaoh, Jeremiah’s protest of his youth).
• The dramatic transformation of Saul through Ananias's obedience serves as a testament to the fact that no individual is beyond the redemptive reach of God's power.

Acts 9 13 Commentary

Acts 9:13 captures a profound moment of human doubt and divine assurance. Ananias's apprehension is not born of a lack of faith in God, but rather a realistic assessment of Saul's infamous and violent past. His objection highlights the significant reputation Saul had built as a persecutor, and Ananias’s deep concern for the safety of fellow believers. Yet, the verse immediately precedes God's pivotal reassurance and revelation about Saul's future purpose (Acts 9:15). This brief dialogue underscores the incredible grace and transformative power of the Lord, who calls ordinary people like Ananias to participate in His extraordinary work, even when it involves trusting Him with a notorious enemy. It illustrates that God's plans are often counter-intuitive to human reasoning, choosing a persecutor to become a global evangelist and using a faithful, but fearful, disciple to initiate that transformation. It reinforces the biblical truth that God sees beyond one's past and radically reshapes destiny according to His sovereign will.