Acts 9 17

Acts 9:17 kjv

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17 nkjv

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 9:17 niv

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord?Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here?has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 9:17 esv

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 9:17 nlt

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 17 Meaning

Acts 9:17 records the moment when Ananias, a faithful disciple, courageously obeys God's command to approach Saul, the notorious persecutor of Christians. Ananias lays his hands on Saul, addresses him as "Brother Saul," and delivers a direct message from the resurrected Jesus. This message reveals Jesus' prior appearance to Saul on the road to Damascus, states that Ananias has been sent by Jesus, and declares the twofold divine purpose for Ananias' visit: to restore Saul's physical sight and to fill him with the Holy Spirit. This verse marks the physical and spiritual transition point for Saul, confirming his divine calling and preparing him for ministry.

Acts 9 17 Context

Acts 9:17 takes place after a dramatic and pivotal event in Christian history: Saul of Tarsus's encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. Earlier in the chapter, Saul, known for his zealous persecution and murderous threats against believers, was on a mission to arrest Christians. Jesus appeared to him in blinding light, questioning why Saul was persecuting Him and temporarily striking Saul blind (Acts 9:1-9). Saul was then led into Damascus to the house of Judas, where he remained blind for three days, neither eating nor drinking.Concurrently, Jesus spoke to Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, instructing him to go to Saul (Acts 9:10-16). Ananias, initially hesitant due to Saul's violent reputation, was assured by Jesus that Saul was His "chosen instrument" to preach the Gospel to Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel, and that Saul would suffer for His name. Verse 17 depicts Ananias's obedient response to this divine command, initiating Saul's complete physical and spiritual transformation which sets the stage for his subsequent baptism and emergence as a powerful evangelist, later known as the Apostle Paul. The immediate historical context highlights the dangerous environment for Christians and the radical nature of Saul's conversion, orchestrated entirely by divine will.

Acts 9 17 Word analysis

• And Ananias: Ananias (Ἀνανίας - Ananias): A Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Hananiah, meaning "The Lord is gracious." His name is apt, as he brings God's grace to Saul. He is presented as an ordinary, yet faithful, disciple in Damascus, chosen for an extraordinary task.
• went his way: went (ἐλθὼν - elthōn): A participle meaning "having come" or "going." It highlights Ananias's immediate and courageous obedience to the divine instruction despite his prior apprehension. It signifies purposeful action.
• and entered into the house: entered (εἰς - eis) the house (οἰκίαν - oikian): "Into the house." Refers specifically to the house of Judas, on Straight Street, where Saul was staying (Acts 9:11). The precision indicates the exact fulfillment of God's instructions. It signifies a moment of divine appointment in a specific physical location.
• and putting his hands on him said: putting (ἐπιθείς - epitheis) his hands (τὰς χεῖρας - tas cheiras) on him: "Laying on" his hands. This action is a significant biblical practice. In this context, it is associated with healing, imparting the Holy Spirit, blessing, or commissioning. It demonstrates physical contact, signifying intimacy, authority, and transfer, rather than a mere verbal declaration. It represents Ananias as God's human instrument in this miracle.
• Brother Saul, Brother (ἀδελφέ - adelphe) Saul (Σαοὺλ - Saoul): This is a profound and radical greeting. "Brother" immediately extends fellowship, acceptance, and reconciliation to Saul, the notorious persecutor. It indicates that despite his violent past, Saul is now recognized as part of the family of God, showcasing the inclusive power of Christ's grace. It shatters the barrier between the persecutor and the persecuted, proclaiming unity in Christ.
• the Lord, even Jesus, the Lord (ὁ Κύριος - ho Kyrios), even Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): "Kyrios" in Greek here unequivocally refers to Jesus, establishing His divine authority and identity as Yahweh in the New Testament. Explicitly naming "Jesus" leaves no doubt who the "Lord" is that Ananias is speaking of and who appeared to Saul. It reinforces the revelation that Jesus is not just a prophet or teacher, but the sovereign Lord.
• that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, that appeared (ὁ ὀφθείς - ho ophtheis) unto thee in the way (ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ - en tē hodō) as thou camest: "The one having been seen by you on the way." This precise reference validates Ananias's message and presence. It confirms that Ananias's knowledge comes from the same divine source (Jesus) that Saul encountered. The "way" refers to the Damascus Road, which for early Christians also became a metaphorical term for "The Way," indicating their new Christian faith and lifestyle (cf. Acts 9:2).
• hath sent me, hath sent me (ἀπέστειλέν με - apesteilen me): "Has sent me." The verb "apesteilen" (from apostellō) implies a commissioning or delegation of authority, akin to how apostles are sent. Ananias clearly states his divine commission directly from Jesus. This adds weight to his message and underscores his role as an agent of Jesus.
• that thou mightest receive thy sight, that thou mightest receive thy sight (ἵνα ἀναβλέψῃς - hina anablepsēis): "In order that you may regain sight." This is the first of two purpose clauses. It addresses Saul's immediate physical need resulting from his encounter with Jesus. It's a miraculous restoration, symbolizing the transition from spiritual blindness to spiritual insight.
• and be filled with the Holy Ghost. and be filled (πλησθῇς - plēsthēis) with the Holy Ghost (Πνεύματος Ἁγίου - Pneumatos Hagiou): "And may be filled with the Holy Spirit." This is the second crucial purpose. It signifies empowerment for divine service, inner transformation, and full inclusion into the Body of Christ. Being "filled" with the Spirit denotes a dynamic, enabling presence for testimony and ministry, rather than just initial indwelling. This gift completes Saul's spiritual transformation and equips him for his apostolic calling.

• "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him": This phrase captures Ananias's bold obedience and proactive physical action. He overcomes his fear, responding directly and tangibly to the Lord's command, demonstrating profound faith in divine assurance. The act of laying on hands is critical, signifying the direct channel through which God's healing and empowering grace would flow to Saul.
• "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me": This is Ananias's key declaratory statement, brimming with theological and personal significance. The address "Brother Saul" immediately dissolves past animosity and establishes him within the Christian fellowship, demonstrating radical grace and forgiveness. Ananias then directly links his presence and mission to Saul's personal, supernatural encounter with the resurrected "Lord Jesus" on the road, confirming the divine authority of his message. This authentication leaves no room for doubt about the source of Ananias's information or the legitimacy of his actions.
• "that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost": These two purposes articulated by Ananias highlight the twin miracles awaiting Saul. The restoration of physical sight is a tangible, immediate sign of God's power and of the end of Saul's three days of dark contemplation. More profoundly, being "filled with the Holy Spirit" represents spiritual enablement, cleansing, and empowering, indispensable for his future apostolic ministry and Christian walk. This phrase underscores God's holistic transformation of Saul—physical, mental, and spiritual.

Acts 9 17 Bonus section

• Ananias's Humility and Courage: Despite being fearful and reluctant initially (Acts 9:13-14), Ananias's obedience at a potentially life-threatening risk highlights his profound faith and humility to be used by God for such a critical task, setting an example for all believers.
• "The Way": The term "the Way" (τῇ ὁδῷ - tē hodō) was one of the earliest self-designations for Christianity (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22), representing the Christian lifestyle and faith as following Christ. Ananias's use of this reference reinforces that Saul's conversion happened on the path of opposition to this "Way" and was being brought into it.
• Symbolism of Blindness and Sight: Saul's physical blindness was a direct result of encountering divine glory (Acts 9:3). It symbolized his prior spiritual blindness to the truth of Christ, despite his fervent religious zeal. The restoration of his physical sight, followed by the filling of the Holy Spirit, signifies the granting of true spiritual discernment and revelation, essential for his future apostolic role.
• The Power of Divine Appointment: This verse perfectly demonstrates that God can use anyone, even a seemingly ordinary disciple like Ananias, and can transform anyone, even the most zealous opponent like Saul, for His purposes. Saul's commissioning here, through Ananias's words, is directly from Jesus, underscoring that his apostolic authority originated directly from the Lord, not from human appointment.

Acts 9 17 Commentary

Acts 9:17 is a pivotal moment illustrating divine orchestration and radical grace. Ananias, an unknown disciple, courageously executes God's mission, showcasing how ordinary believers become instruments in God's extraordinary plans. His address, "Brother Saul," transcends Saul's violent past, immediately embracing him into the community of faith, an act of profound love and forgiveness demonstrating the core nature of Christian fellowship. By specifically identifying "the Lord, even Jesus" as the one who appeared to Saul and sent him, Ananias authenticates his divine commission and reaffirms Jesus's living presence and authority, tying Saul's recent blinding encounter directly to the source of the upcoming miracle. The dual purpose of Ananias's visit—physical sight and the Holy Spirit filling—underscores the comprehensive nature of God's restoration for Saul. The physical healing of blindness foreshadows and visibly testifies to the greater spiritual transformation: the opening of Saul's eyes to truth and the impartation of divine power (Holy Spirit) that would equip him from a persecutor to the Church's greatest missionary. This verse is not just a narrative of a miracle but a theological declaration of reconciliation, empowerment, and a divine call, marking the true beginning of Saul's journey to becoming the Apostle Paul.