Acts 9 25

Acts 9:25 kjv

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

Acts 9:25 nkjv

Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Acts 9:25 niv

But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

Acts 9:25 esv

but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Acts 9:25 nlt

So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 25 Meaning

Acts 9:25 describes the dramatic escape of Saul (who later became Paul) from Damascus. Following a plot by Jewish leaders to kill him, Christian disciples helped him flee the city by lowering him through an opening in the city wall, using a large basket, under the cover of night. This event highlights the severity of persecution faced by early believers and God's protective hand over His chosen instruments through the solidarity of the nascent Christian community.

Acts 9 25 Context

Acts chapter 9 begins with Saul's intense persecution of Christians, followed by his dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). After his conversion and initial blindness, he is healed by Ananias in Damascus, filled with the Holy Spirit, and immediately begins to boldly preach Christ in the synagogues (Acts 9:10-22). His preaching, now from the perspective of a former persecutor, caused great confusion and astonishment among the Jews. As a result of his fervent proclamation of Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah, a plot was formed by the Jews in Damascus to kill him (Acts 9:23-24). Verse 25 narrates the actual execution of Saul's escape, facilitated by the disciples who had welcomed him and witnessed his transformation. This incident marks an early point in Paul's long ministry, characterized by opposition and miraculous divine preservation. Historically, Damascus was a major city with strong defensive walls, and entry/exit would be controlled through gates, making an escape through the wall a clever and necessary measure.

Acts 9 25 Word analysis

• Then (Greek: Tote, τότε): An adverb denoting sequence, "at that time" or "at that point." It signifies a direct cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that the escape was a immediate response to the plot to kill Saul mentioned in the preceding verses.
• the disciples (Greek: hoi mathētai, οἱ μαθηταί): Refers to the believers in Damascus who had received Saul and acknowledged his conversion. These were not the Jerusalem apostles but local Christians. This highlights the early church's active role in protecting its members and ministering to one another in times of need and danger, demonstrating communal love and solidarity.
• took him (Greek: labontes auton, λαβόντες αὐτόν): "Having taken him." The aorist participle implies a decisive, completed action. It indicates that the disciples actively and physically facilitated his escape, not just advising him, taking initiative and responsibility for his safety.
• by night (Greek: dia nyktos, διὰ νυκτός): Literally, "through the night." This detail emphasizes the secrecy, danger, and urgency of the situation. Night provided cover, minimizing the risk of detection by those watching the city gates (Acts 9:24). This mirrors other biblical escapes carried out under cover of darkness (e.g., Rahab helping the spies, Josh 2:15; David fleeing Saul, 1 Sam 19:11).
• and let him down (Greek: kai katherkhamēnon, καὶ καθῆκαν): This verb (kathiēmi) specifically means "to let down," "to lower." It implies a controlled, purposeful descent. This active involvement by the disciples underscores their commitment and cooperation in protecting Saul.
• through the wall (Greek: dia tou teichous, διὰ τοῦ τείχους): "Through the wall." This indicates an opening in the city wall itself, such as a window in a house built into the wall (as in Rahab's case, Josh 2:15; or Michal helping David, 1 Sam 19:12), rather than through a city gate. This method avoided the heavily guarded gates where the conspirators were waiting.
• in a large basket (Greek: en spyridi, ἐν σπυρίδι): Spyridis is a specific Greek word for a large wicker basket, big enough to contain a human. The same term is used for the baskets holding leftover bread after the feeding of the four thousand (Mt 15:37; Mk 8:8). The use of such a humble, undignified means of escape for someone of Saul's previous status and future calling emphasizes his utter dependence on God's provision and the ingenuity of the disciples. It also subtly highlights his vulnerability and newfound humility as a follower of Christ.

Acts 9 25 Bonus section

This specific escape from Damascus is one of the very few events from the Book of Acts that Paul himself explicitly confirms and expands upon in his epistles, providing independent historical validation. In 2 Corinthians 11:32-33, he refers to this escape during a detailed defense of his apostolic ministry and suffering for Christ: "In Damascus the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands." This dual account strengthens the historical authenticity of the event. Furthermore, for someone of Paul's previous high standing as a zealous Pharisee, being lowered in a basket like an undesirable package was a profound act of humility and a stark contrast to his former pride, symbolizing his complete surrender to Christ and readiness to endure all things for the Gospel.

Acts 9 25 Commentary

Acts 9:25 captures a pivotal moment in the life of Paul, soon after his dramatic conversion. The escape itself is a testament to the real and immediate danger he faced once he began proclaiming Christ. It is an act of quick thinking and decisive action by the newly formed Christian community in Damascus. This event vividly illustrates several profound truths about early Christian life and God's plan.

Firstly, it showcases the nascent church's spirit of community and solidarity. The "disciples" were not passive observers; they actively planned and executed Paul's rescue, demonstrating practical love and mutual care in a hostile environment. This embodies the teaching of loving one another and bearing one another's burdens (Jn 13:34-35; Gal 6:2).

Secondly, it underlines the theme of persecution as an unavoidable reality for those who preach the Gospel, particularly in new and challenging territories. Paul's very first ministry assignment post-conversion was met with a death plot. This set the pattern for his entire apostolic career, as confirmed by his own words in 2 Corinthians 11:32-33 and numerous instances throughout Acts and his epistles.

Thirdly, the escape, despite its humble and perilous nature, serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign preservation over His chosen instruments. God had declared Paul to be His chosen vessel (Acts 9:15), and this escape, facilitated by human means, was divinely orchestrated. It shows that God often uses ordinary people and seemingly undignified methods to fulfill His extraordinary purposes. The basket, a simple household item, became an instrument of divine rescue. This underscores that human vulnerability and dependence highlight God's power and faithfulness.

This passage also has practical applications for believers today. It calls us to:

• Be resourceful and proactive in assisting fellow believers in need.
• Remember that God can use unconventional means to deliver and protect His servants.
• Be prepared for persecution and opposition when boldly proclaiming the Gospel, trusting in God's faithfulness amidst challenges.