Acts 9 2

Acts 9:2 kjv

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 9:2 nkjv

and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:2 niv

and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:2 esv

and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:2 nlt

He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them ? both men and women ? back to Jerusalem in chains.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 2 Meaning

Acts 9:2 describes Saul's fervent zeal to persecute early followers of Jesus Christ. He sought and received official documentation from the Jewish High Priest, granting him authority to apprehend any adherent of "the Way"—an early term for Christianity—within the synagogues of Damascus. His intention was to bring them, both men and women, back to Jerusalem as prisoners, presumably for trial and punishment under the jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin. This verse highlights Saul's authoritative, systematic, and widespread campaign against believers before his conversion.

Acts 9 2 Context

Acts chapter 9 opens directly following the extensive persecution of Christians initiated by Saul (Acts 8:3) in the wake of Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7:58). Saul, having fully endorsed Stephen's execution, aggressively sought to eliminate the nascent Christian movement. This verse is set against the backdrop of Jewish religious authority extending beyond Judea. Damascus, a significant city north of Jerusalem, had a substantial Jewish population and, evidently, a growing community of believers in Jesus. The High Priest in Jerusalem held a unique position of authority over Jewish religious matters, even within the Roman Empire, allowing him to issue directives to Jewish communities in the diaspora. Saul's action signifies that "the Way" was perceived not as a mere internal debate among Jewish sects, but as a dangerous heresy requiring urgent and forceful suppression by the religious establishment, indicating a coordinated and serious effort to crush the movement before it could further spread.

Acts 9 2 Word analysis

• and asked him (καὶ ᾐτήσατο αὐτὸν - kai ēitēsato auton): This indicates Saul's direct, formal request to the High Priest (implied from Acts 9:1), highlighting his resolve and the official nature of his mission.
• for letters (ἐπιστολὰς - epistolas): Official documents or credentials that served as warrants or authorizations, granting Saul legal power and cooperation from Jewish authorities in Damascus. This signifies a structured, bureaucratic pursuit.
• to the synagogues (εἰς τὰς συναγωγὰς - eis tas synagogas): Refers to multiple Jewish communal centers in Damascus. Synagogues functioned as places of worship, learning, and local governance within the Jewish diaspora. Saul's aim was to systematically infiltrate these communities.
• in Damascus (ἐν Δαμασκῷ - en Damaskō): A major ancient city, crucial trade hub, and significant Jewish diaspora community, indicating the spread of Christianity beyond Judea. The journey from Jerusalem to Damascus was long, underscoring Saul's determined zeal.
• so that if he found any there (ὅπως ἐάν τινας εὕρῃ - hopōs ean tinas heurē): Reveals the specific purpose of the letters—to identify and apprehend followers of "the Way." It implies a search, though with certainty of finding them.
• who belonged to the Way (τῆς ὁδοῦ ὄντας - tēs hodou ontas): "The Way" (hodos) was an early and common self-designation for Christians, signifying not just a belief system but a distinct path of life and discipleship according to Jesus' teachings. It identifies them as a distinct group from mainstream Judaism.
• whether men or women (ἄνδρας τε καὶ γυναῖκας - andras te kai gynaikas): Emphasizes the universal scope of Saul's persecution. It highlights the gender inclusivity of the early Christian movement and the comprehensive nature of the threat perceived by Saul and the Jewish authorities—no one was spared due to gender or social status.
• he might take them as prisoners (δῆσας ἀγάγῃ - dēsas agagē): "Having bound, he might lead away." Implies physical restraint, arrest, and forced extradition. This indicates the severe legal and physical ramifications awaiting those apprehended.
• to Jerusalem (εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ - eis Hierousalēm): The seat of the Jewish religious leadership (Sanhedrin). Taking them to Jerusalem meant bringing them to the supreme religious court for judgment, further demonstrating the high priest's jurisdiction and Saul's ultimate objective of having them tried and condemned by the central authority.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis

• "and asked him for letters to the synagogues": This phrase demonstrates Saul's systematic and legally authorized approach to persecution. It wasn't merely random violence but a highly organized effort backed by the highest Jewish religious authority to enforce orthodoxy across diverse Jewish communities.
• "if he found any there who belonged to the Way": This pinpoints the exact target of Saul's mission: anyone associated with "the Way." This reflects that "the Way" was a recognized and distinct movement that Jewish authorities felt compelled to suppress as a dangerous heresy against Judaism.
• "whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem": This underscores the relentless and uncompromising nature of Saul's persecution. No distinction was made between genders, revealing both the broad appeal of early Christianity to all social groups and the thoroughness of the campaign to eradicate it by bringing alleged offenders back to the central authority for judgment.

Acts 9 2 Bonus section

• The high priest's authority to issue "letters" for legal and religious matters beyond Judea derived from the historical precedents and internal Jewish autonomy granted under Roman rule, recognizing the Jewish Sanhedrin's jurisdiction over their own people, particularly regarding religious 'heresy'.
• Saul's journey to Damascus was not a trivial undertaking. The approximate 130-150-mile journey, which would have taken roughly a week by foot, underscores the profound determination and ideological fervor driving Saul's persecution of "the Way."
• The widespread presence of "the Way" adherents in Damascus implies that the Gospel had spread effectively and quickly beyond Jerusalem, indicating the Holy Spirit's power despite early persecution.

Acts 9 2 Commentary

Acts 9:2 paints a vivid picture of Saul's resolute commitment to extinguish the nascent Christian movement. Armed with official credentials from the High Priest, his mission extended beyond Judea to the synagogues of Damascus, meticulously targeting "the Way" followers—an early term for Christians. The specific inclusion of "men or women" underscores the comprehensiveness of his zeal, indicating that the threat of this new belief was perceived regardless of gender or social standing. His ultimate goal was to forcibly return these captured individuals to Jerusalem, subjecting them to the severe judgment of the Sanhedrin. This calculated and widespread campaign, however, unknowingly set the stage for one of history's most dramatic reversals, as God would soon intercept Saul's mission, transforming the zealous persecutor into the ardent apostle to the Gentiles. This verse thus prefigures the profound turning point not only in Saul's life but also in the broader trajectory of the early church, demonstrating divine sovereignty overriding human hostility.

• Example for Practical Usage: Saul's actions serve as a cautionary tale that genuine religious zeal, when misguided or lacking true spiritual insight, can lead to severe harm and opposition to God's actual work (e.g., as discussed in Prov 19:2, Rom 10:2). It also illustrates that God often chooses to use the very individuals who oppose Him most fervently, transforming them into His most powerful instruments for His kingdom.