Acts 9 23

Acts 9:23 kjv

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

Acts 9:23 nkjv

Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.

Acts 9:23 niv

After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,

Acts 9:23 esv

When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,

Acts 9:23 nlt

After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 23 Meaning

Acts 9:23 states that after a significant period following Saul's conversion and his public declaration of Jesus as the Son of God in Damascus, the Jewish community, likely led by those opposing his new message, conspired to take his life. This verse highlights the immediate and dangerous opposition Saul faced for his faith and fervent proclamation.

Acts 9 23 Context

Acts chapter 9 introduces the dramatic conversion of Saul (who becomes Paul) on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Jesus. Immediately after this encounter, his blindness was healed, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Contrary to his previous mission of persecuting followers of "the Way," Saul began boldly proclaiming in the synagogues of Damascus that Jesus is the Son of God. This sudden and radical transformation, coupled with his powerful arguments proving Jesus to be the Christ, confounded the local Jews. Acts 9:23 follows a period (described as "many days") where Saul persisted in his new mission, leading to intense opposition from those who rejected his message, culminating in a specific plot to murder him. Historically, Damascus was a significant Roman city with a strong Jewish presence. The local synagogues wielded considerable religious and social influence, and their rejection of Saul's teaching reflected a deep schism over the identity of Jesus as the Messiah, a common conflict in early Christianity.

Acts 9 23 Word analysis

• And: Greek De (δέ), a connective particle often indicating continuation, but also sometimes contrast or a change of subject/situation. Here, it marks a progression from Saul's initial preaching to the ensuing consequences.
• when many days were fulfilled: Greek hōs de eplērōthēsan hēmerai hikanaí (ὡς δὲ ἐπληρώθησαν ἡμέραι ἱκαναί).
  • hōs: "when, as."
  • eplērōthēsan (ἐπληρώθησαν): Aorist passive of plēroō (πληρόω), meaning "to fulfill, complete, bring to an end." Suggests the natural culmination or full passing of a period.
  • hēmerai (ἡμέραι): "days."
  • hikanaí (ἱκαναί): "many, considerable, sufficient, ample." Not just a few days, but a significant length of time. This phrase is a Lukan characteristic to indicate a considerable duration (e.g., Acts 9:43; Acts 18:18; Acts 27:7). This period, when combined with Paul's own account in Galatians 1:17-18, likely refers to the approximately three years Paul spent partly in Arabia and partly returning to Damascus, where he continued his proclamation of Christ, solidifying the opposition against him.
• the Jews: Greek hoi Ioudaioi (οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι). This term in Acts often refers to the specific religious and nationalistic party or community that opposed the early Christian message, particularly those leaders in the synagogues who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. It does not imply that all Jewish people were involved or hostile. These were specific Jewish authorities and their followers in Damascus who found Paul's teaching heretical and blasphemous.
• plotted: Greek synebouleusanto (συνεβουλεύσαντο). Aorist middle indicative of synbouléō (συμβουλεύω), meaning "to counsel together, consult, advise, conspire." It implies a deliberate, organized, and shared decision-making process, a concerted effort. This was not a spontaneous act but a planned conspiracy.
• to kill him: Greek aneleín autón (ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν).
  • aneleín (ἀνελεῖν): Aorist active infinitive of anaireō (ἀναιρέω), which literally means "to take up," but often idiomatically refers to "to take out of the way," hence "to kill, put to death, destroy." This was their clear, lethal objective.
  • autón (αὐτόν): "him" (referring to Saul).
• "And when many days were fulfilled": This phrase denotes a significant passage of time. It indicates that Saul's preaching in Damascus was not a fleeting moment but a sustained period that allowed the Jewish community to fully grasp the nature of his conversion and message. This extended exposure deepened their animosity and provoked their response. It also sets up the narrative of enduring trial for God's servants.
• "the Jews plotted to kill him": This reveals an organized and hostile intent. "The Jews" here specifies a subset of the Jewish population, likely the synagogue leaders and their allies, who felt threatened by Saul's conversion and the compelling nature of his testimony. Their plot was a formal and dangerous conspiracy, reflecting the gravity of the spiritual conflict surrounding the proclamation of Christ. It mirrors the opposition Jesus faced and foreshadows the constant threat Paul would encounter throughout his ministry.

Acts 9 23 Bonus section

The deliberate nature of the plot against Saul's life ("plotted to kill him") underscores the intensity of the spiritual warfare encountered by early Christians. This verse is a prelude to Paul's consistent experience of suffering for the Gospel, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy to Ananias about Saul: "I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name" (Acts 9:16). The plot also necessitated divine intervention through the disciples assisting Paul's escape, reinforcing the theme of God's preservation of His servants. This incident demonstrates that even immediately following a powerful divine encounter and commissioning, the path of obedience is fraught with peril but also sustained by divine grace. The response of "the Jews" indicates that religious fervor, when directed away from Christ, can manifest as extreme enmity against His followers. This deep animosity towards God's messengers serves to validate their divine calling, as persecution often accompanies truth (2 Tim 3:12).

Acts 9 23 Commentary

Acts 9:23 marks a crucial pivot after Saul's dramatic conversion and initial ministry. It shows that Saul's bold declaration of Jesus as the Son of God was not merely an intellectual debate but a radical, life-altering truth that elicited extreme reactions. The phrase "many days were fulfilled" points to a period of consistent and likely fervent preaching, allowing the full implications of Saul's transformed identity and message to settle. This led to organized, murderous opposition from segments of the Jewish community in Damascus, who perceived his new teachings as heresy and a threat to their religious established order. The very same zeal that Saul once used to persecute Christians was now redirected against him, proving that devotion to Christ often invites hostility from those who oppose His truth. This verse foreshadows Paul's entire ministry, characterized by ceaseless proclamation amidst relentless persecution and miraculous deliverances, confirming God's protection over His chosen vessels. It highlights that faithfulness to Christ may lead to tangible, dangerous opposition, but also that God's plan for His messengers will prevail.

• Just as Saul faced immediate, life-threatening opposition for speaking God's truth, believers today might experience ostracism, criticism, or even hostility for their unwavering faith; yet, God remains faithful to those He calls.