Acts 9 24

Acts 9:24 kjv

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Acts 9:24 nkjv

But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.

Acts 9:24 niv

but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.

Acts 9:24 esv

but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him,

Acts 9:24 nlt

They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 24 Meaning

Acts 9:24 reveals a critical turn in Saul's early ministry after his conversion. It states that an assassination plot concocted by Jews in Damascus against him became known to Saul. In response to their failed covert operation, these adversaries intensified their efforts by meticulously guarding the city gates day and night with the sole intention of apprehending and killing him. This verse highlights the immediate danger and severe persecution faced by Saul for boldly proclaiming Jesus as the Christ, while also setting the stage for divine intervention in his escape.

Acts 9 24 Context

Acts 9:24 is situated immediately following Saul's dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). After regaining his sight and being filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul immediately began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus, asserting that Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ (Acts 9:20-22). His forceful arguments and undeniable proof from the Scriptures "confounded" or baffled the Jews in Damascus, creating a strong negative reaction. This rapid and unexpected transformation from a fervent persecutor of Christians to an ardent evangelist of Christ deeply infuriated the Jewish leaders. After "many days" (Acts 9:23), this resentment escalated into a concrete plan to murder Saul, seeing him as a betrayer and a threat to their established religious order. The city of Damascus, a prominent trade hub, possessed strong gates essential for security and taxation, making them ideal choke points for intercepting an intended victim. The plot and the subsequent vigilant guarding of these gates underscore the extreme peril Saul faced early in his Christian walk.

Acts 9 24 Word analysis

• But (Greek: δέ - de): A conjunction introducing a change or contrast. Here, it signals a shift from Saul's bold preaching to the hostile reaction and plot against him, indicating a turning point in the narrative.
• their (Greek: αὐτῶν - autōn): Refers to "the Jews" mentioned in Acts 9:23, who had taken counsel to kill Saul due to his effective preaching. It highlights their unified opposition.
• laying await (Greek: ἡ ἐπίθεσις - hē epíthesis): This term signifies a hostile assault, a plot, a conspiracy, or an ambush. It's more than just "waiting"; it suggests a carefully premeditated act of violence, designed to catch Saul unawares.
• was known (Greek: ἐγνώσθη - egnōsthē, aorist passive of γιγνώσκω - gignōskō): Implies revelation. It means "to be made known" or "to come to be known." While the specific means are not stated, commentators often infer divine providence at work, warning Saul of the impending danger through an informant or by the Spirit.
• of Saul (Greek: Σαύλῳ - Saulō, dative case): Identifies the recipient of this vital information. It underscores the direct, personal nature of the threat against him.
• and (Greek: καί - kai): A simple conjunctive, linking the revelation of the plot with the subsequent intensified actions of Saul's enemies.
• they watched (Greek: παρετηροῦν - pareteroun, imperfect tense of παρατηρέω - paratēreō): This verb indicates continuous, careful, and vigilant observation or surveillance, often with hostile intent. The imperfect tense emphasizes ongoing action – they were watching constantly.
• the gates (Greek: τάς πύλας - tas pylas): Refers to the main entry/exit points of the city. In ancient cities, gates were strategic control points, heavily fortified, and typically the only way in or out.
• day and night (Greek: ἡμέρας τε καὶ νυκτός - hēmeras te kai nyktos): This phrase emphasizes the relentless, uninterrupted nature of their watch. It signifies their extreme determination and commitment to prevent Saul's escape, leaving no time for rest or oversight.
• to kill him (Greek: ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν - anelein auton, aorist active infinitive of ἀναιρέω - anairéō): States the ultimate and lethal objective of their efforts. This infinitive makes the murderous intent unequivocally clear.

Words-group analysis

• "But their laying await was known of Saul": This phrase captures the providential intervention against the enemies' secret plan. It implies God's protective hand, either directly revealing the plot or orchestrating circumstances for Saul to be informed, thus thwarting the element of surprise that the plot relied upon.
• "and they watched the gates day and night": This demonstrates the depth of the adversaries' hatred and their meticulous efforts. Having failed with a covert ambush, they resorted to overt and continuous surveillance, effectively turning the entire city into a prison for Saul. The gates were the primary strategic point for an exit, indicating they had anticipated his need to flee.
• "to kill him": This closing phrase starkly presents the grim and absolute intent of the antagonists. It defines the lethal stakes of Saul's new mission and the relentless hostility he immediately encountered for bearing witness to Jesus Christ.

Acts 9 24 Bonus section

• The immediate and intense persecution Saul faced upon his conversion illustrates a core truth of the Christian faith: faithfully following Christ often incurs opposition from the world (Jn 15:18-20, 2 Tim 3:12). For Saul, who previously inflicted such persecution, this experience served as a powerful lesson in empathy and the reality of suffering for the Gospel.
• This escape from Damascus, recounted here in Acts and by Paul himself in 2 Corinthians 11:32-33, parallels earlier biblical narratives of escapes, such as Rahab helping the Israelite spies flee Jericho by the city wall (Josh 2:15). This provides a biblical precedent for resourceful and divinely aided exits from danger.
• The fact that the plot was "known" (ἐγνώσθη) to Saul before he was caught underscores the concept of God's sovereign knowledge and intervention. While the text doesn't specify how he knew, it hints at divine warning or the timely intervention of a sympathizer, allowing Saul to prepare for the extraordinary escape detailed in the next verse (Acts 9:25).

Acts 9 24 Commentary

Acts 9:24 vividly portrays the immediate and profound cost of discipleship for Saul. His radical conversion was quickly followed by equally radical persecution, marking an instantaneous shift from being the persecutor to the persecuted. The Jewish leaders in Damascus, incensed by his powerful proclamation of Jesus as Messiah – a teaching they deemed heretical and treasonous from one of their own – escalated their opposition to a murderous plot. The detail that "their laying await was known of Saul" is crucial, revealing not merely human intelligence but often divine foresight and protection, an early indicator of God's providential care for the one chosen for such an immense mission.

The subsequent relentless watch at the city gates, "day and night," signifies the unwavering and absolute determination of Saul's enemies. They were willing to invest continuous effort and vigilance to ensure his death. This commitment highlights the depth of the animosity against "The Way" and those who preached it. For Saul, it was a literal encirclement, a trapping within the city walls, threatening to extinguish his ministry before it truly began. This episode establishes a pattern that would define much of Paul's subsequent life and ministry, characterized by constant threats, plots, and miraculous escapes, all of which served to demonstrate God's unwavering power and protection over His chosen vessel.