Acts 9 30

Acts 9:30 kjv

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Acts 9:30 nkjv

When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

Acts 9:30 niv

When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Acts 9:30 esv

And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Acts 9:30 nlt

When the believers heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 30 Meaning

Acts 9:30 records a critical moment in Saul's early ministry following his conversion. Due to an imminent threat to his life in Jerusalem by Hellenistic Jews, the believing community—"the brethren"—took decisive action to ensure his safety. They brought him to Caesarea, a significant port city, from where they "sent him forth" to Tarsus, his hometown in Cilicia. This act was a strategic removal and a divinely guided preservation of God's chosen instrument, allowing a period of quiet preparation before his widespread Gentile mission.

Acts 9 30 Context

Acts chapter 9 details the miraculous conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus and his subsequent transformation into a zealous preacher of Jesus Christ. Following his conversion and initial powerful preaching in Damascus, he returned to Jerusalem. There, despite initial skepticism, Barnabas vouched for him, enabling him to connect with the apostles. Immediately, Saul began boldly proclaiming Jesus in Jerusalem, particularly engaging with and "disputing with the Hellenists" (Greek-speaking Jews, many of whom previously aligned with the persecution). This unexpected shift from persecutor to preacher deeply threatened the existing religious establishment. Their antagonism quickly escalated into a conspiracy to kill him. Recognizing the grave danger to a nascent but powerful voice for Christ, the Christian brethren intervened to ensure his safety and facilitate his relocation. This event is a critical turning point, leading to Saul's temporary removal from public ministry in Jerusalem, allowing a period of quiet preparation before God would launch him into his vast mission to the Gentiles from Antioch. The passage directly precedes a period of peace for the church (Acts 9:31), suggesting this action contributed to a temporary reduction of immediate, high-profile conflict in Jerusalem.

Acts 9 30 Word analysis

• When the brethren (Οἱ δὲ ἀδελφοὶ - Hoi de adelphoi):
  • Οἱ δὲ (Hoi de): "And the" or "But the." The conjunction "de" often introduces a change or continuation in narrative, emphasizing that it was the brethren who took action, not Saul alone.
  • ἀδελφοὶ (adelphoi): Literally "brothers," referring to the community of Christian believers. This highlights the practical expression of Christian fellowship and care for one another, especially in protecting a vulnerable new leader. It signifies communal responsibility and spiritual family.
• knew of it, (ἐπιγνόντες - epignontes):
  • This aorist participle means "having known" or "having found out." It implies not just superficial knowledge but a full understanding of the imminent threat against Saul, likely through reliable intelligence or observing the intensifying hostility. It signifies an informed decision-making process by the community.
• they brought him down (κατήγαγον - katēgagon):
  • From katagō, meaning "to bring down," "to lead down," or "to conduct." This isn't just a casual escort; it suggests a purposeful and perhaps protective act of accompanying him. Jerusalem is higher in elevation, so going to Caesarea (on the coast) involved literally going "down."
• to Caesarea (εἰς Καισάρειαν - eis Kaisareian):
  • Caesarea Maritima was a significant port city on the Mediterranean coast, a Roman administrative center in Judea. It was a Gentile-dominated city, offering a natural and practical point of departure for seafaring travel away from Jerusalem. Its Roman influence might have offered some protective anonymity compared to Jewish areas.
• and sent him forth (ἐξαπέστειλαν - exapesteilan):
  • From exapostellō, a stronger verb than simple "send." It means "to send forth," "to dispatch," or "to send away (on a mission/charge)." This term can carry a sense of deliberate commissioning or official dispatch, not merely "getting rid of him" for his safety. It subtly implies recognition of his continuing ministry, even if displaced.
• to Tarsus. (εἰς Ταρσόν - eis Tarsón):
  • Tarsus was Saul's hometown in Cilicia, known for its intellectual and commercial importance. Being sent "home" suggests a safe haven where he could be out of immediate danger, perhaps allowing him time for further spiritual development and theological reflection before his pivotal call to Gentile ministry in Antioch. It represents a temporary retreat or pause for further preparation in God's plan.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• When the brethren knew of it: Emphasizes the proactive, informed, and collective action of the Christian community in response to danger, reflecting brotherly love and pastoral care. It signifies that the decision for Saul's departure was not solely his, but a communal effort born out of wisdom and concern.
• they brought him down to Caesarea: Describes the initial logistical and protective phase of his relocation. Caesarea serves as a critical intermediary point, a major port indicating the intent to send him by sea. This choice also shows their resourcefulness in finding a safe passage.
• and sent him forth to Tarsus: This final phrase details the destination and the nature of his departure. The verb "sent him forth" implies a deliberate, almost strategic dispatch rather than a simple flight. It suggests that his ministry was not halted but strategically repositioned, placing him in a period of preparation in his native city, a significant stage before his re-emergence into widespread Gentile missionary work.

Acts 9 30 Bonus section

The journey to Tarsus allowed Paul to escape a death plot in Jerusalem, but it also placed him in his homeland, potentially providing a vital period for personal spiritual growth and theological reflection away from the direct spotlight and opposition. This period is alluded to in Galatians 1:21 where Paul mentions going "into the regions of Syria and Cilicia," aligning with his return to Tarsus. This time might have contributed to the depth of his understanding of the mystery of the Gospel that he later articulates. Caesarea, being a Roman port city and capital, also highlights the increasing geographical scope of the Christian message and the early church's strategic use of imperial infrastructure. The very means of Paul's escape foreshadow the eventual Gentile mission, as he embarks from a predominantly Gentile city towards a Gentile region, to the person who would become the primary apostle to the Gentiles.

Acts 9 30 Commentary

Acts 9:30 presents a crucial narrative junction, marking Saul's temporary removal from public ministry in Jerusalem to ensure his safety and further prepare him for his divine calling. This was not a cowardly retreat but a divinely guided, community-supported strategic withdrawal. The church, displaying mature Christian charity and discernment, recognized the grave threat and preserved a vital servant of God. Saul's stay in Tarsus for an unstated period (before Barnabas sought him out in Acts 11:25) likely provided essential time for deep study, prayer, and further spiritual maturation away from intense immediate persecution. This quiet period was instrumental for the future Apostle to the Gentiles, allowing him to consolidate his understanding of Christ and prepare for the enormous task ahead. It teaches us about God's sovereign protection over His people and the wisdom of discerning when to withdraw for strategic re-engagement, all within the framework of His perfect timing.