Acts 9 14

Acts 9:14 kjv

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Acts 9:14 nkjv

And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."

Acts 9:14 niv

And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

Acts 9:14 esv

And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."

Acts 9:14 nlt

And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name."

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 14 Meaning

Acts 9:14 expresses Ananias' grave concern and fear in response to God's command to visit Saul of Tarsus in Damascus. Ananias states that he knows Saul has received official authorization from the leading Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem to apprehend and imprison all those in Damascus who identify with, worship, and bear the name of Jesus Christ. This verse highlights Saul's notoriety as a zealous persecutor of the nascent Christian community before his conversion, underscoring the severity of his mission and Ananias' justified apprehension.

Acts 9 14 Context

Acts chapter 9 opens with Saul "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord." His mission was to persecute followers of "The Way," a new religious movement, believing they were blaspheming God by asserting Jesus was the Messiah and Lord. Saul was headed to Damascus, armed with letters from the High Priest, to arrest any Christians he found there and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial. This verse is part of the dialogue between Ananias, a devout disciple in Damascus, and the Lord Jesus, who appeared to Ananias in a vision. The Lord commanded Ananias to go to a specific house and lay hands on Saul, who was blinded by a divine light on his journey. Ananias, knowing Saul's notorious reputation as a fierce persecutor, expresses his fear and highlights the very purpose of Saul's visit to Damascus – to bind and persecute believers. This context sets up a stark contrast between Saul's past actions and God's surprising and gracious call upon his life.

Acts 9 14 Word analysis

• And here he hath authority (Greek: καὶ ὧδε ἔχει ἐξουσίαν - kai hōde echei exousian):
  • here (hōde): Emphasizes Ananias' awareness that Saul is presently in Damascus, carrying out his mission. It's an immediate, current threat.
  • he hath authority (echei exousian): The verb "hath" indicates possession. Exousia denotes legitimate, delegated power or jurisdiction. Ananias knows Saul is not merely acting on personal prejudice but with official sanction. This legal backing made Saul's actions particularly dangerous and widespread.
• from the chief priests (Greek: παρὰ τῶν ἀρχιερέων - para tōn archiereōn):
  • from (para): Indicates the source or origin of the authority.
  • the chief priests (tōn archiereōn): Refers to the powerful and influential members of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish religious and legal council in Jerusalem. They represented the highest echelons of Jewish religious leadership and held significant judicial powers, even under Roman rule, particularly concerning internal Jewish religious affairs. Their involvement elevates Saul's mission from mere fanaticism to an organized religious campaign against believers.
• to bind (Greek: δῆσαι - dēsai):
  • This verb means "to tie," "to fasten," or "to put in chains." In this context, it unequivocally signifies physical apprehension, arrest, and imprisonment. It points to a literal, punitive action, confirming the violence associated with Saul's past activities. It shows that Saul's intent was to forcibly bring the believers back to Jerusalem, perhaps in chains, for trial and punishment.
• all that call on thy name (Greek: πάντας τοὺς ἐπικαλουμένους τὸ ὄνομά σου - pantas tous epikaloumenous to onoma sou):
  • all (pantas): Highlights the sweeping, indiscriminate nature of Saul's mission; he targeted every follower, showing the comprehensive nature of the persecution.
  • call on thy name (tous epikaloumenous to onoma sou): This is a crucial phrase with profound theological weight. In the Old Testament, "calling on the name of the LORD" (Yahweh) is a standard idiom for worshipping, invoking, and identifying oneself with God (Gen 4:26, Psa 116:4, Joel 2:32). In the New Testament, particularly in Acts, this phrase is uniquely applied to Jesus, signifying the worship and invocation of Jesus as God and Lord. It clearly indicates that the early believers identified themselves by their devotion to Jesus, recognizing His divine authority and saving power. This identification was perceived as blasphemous by strict monotheistic Jews, thus fueling Saul's zealous persecution. It also serves as an early creedal statement of the first Christians.

Acts 9 14 Bonus section

The phrase "call on thy name" provides early evidence of the robust theological understanding and practice within the first Christian communities concerning the deity of Jesus Christ. By applying an Old Testament phrase historically reserved for Yahweh (the LORD) directly to Jesus, it underscores the belief that Jesus shared the divine essence and authority of God. Ananias' hesitation is not merely about physical safety but also represents a common human struggle with trusting God's radical callings when they defy conventional wisdom or evoke deep-seated fears based on past experiences. His ultimate obedience, despite knowing Saul's malevolent purpose, serves as a powerful example of faith, submitting to God's incomprehensible plan, and acting as an agent of grace.

Acts 9 14 Commentary

Acts 9:14 offers a poignant insight into Ananias' human apprehension in the face of a divine command. His words articulate the deep fear and legitimate concern within the early Christian community regarding Saul of Tarsus, known for his relentless and officially sanctioned persecution. Ananias' protest highlights two key realities: first, the concrete and dangerous authority Saul possessed from the highest Jewish religious council to apprehend believers, even outside Jerusalem; second, the fundamental identification marker of early Christians – "calling on the name" of Jesus. This phrase reveals that followers of "The Way" were characterized by their direct invocation and worship of Jesus as Lord, distinguishing them as a unique faith community. The verse sets the stage for God's surprising and transformative work on Saul, emphasizing that even the most zealous opponent of Christ can become His most ardent disciple. It speaks to God's sovereign plan overriding human fears and reputation.