Acts 9 32

Acts 9:32 kjv

And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Acts 9:32 nkjv

Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.

Acts 9:32 niv

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord's people who lived in Lydda.

Acts 9:32 esv

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

Acts 9:32 nlt

Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 32 Meaning

Acts 9:32 describes the apostle Peter’s widespread pastoral and evangelistic travels throughout the communities of believers. He undertakes a general tour among "all of them," specifically highlighting his arrival at Lydda to visit the Christians residing there. This verse signifies the expansion of the early church's influence beyond Jerusalem, with Peter exercising apostolic oversight over the burgeoning scattered congregations in Judea.

Acts 9 32 Context

Acts 9:32 marks a narrative pivot after the significant event of Saul's conversion (Acts 9:1-19) and his initial, albeit controversial, ministry and eventual departure to Tarsus (Acts 9:20-30). With Saul (Paul) now off the immediate scene, the narrative returns to Peter, underscoring his continuing leadership and the expansion of the Gospel through his apostolic ministry. This verse places Peter geographically within the broader region of Judea, fulfilling the mandate of Acts 1:8 to bear witness in "all Judea and Samaria."

Historically, Lydda (modern Lod) was a strategically important town located in the fertile plain of Sharon, about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, on the road to Joppa and Caesarea. It was a primarily Jewish town with significant Rabbinic influence in later periods, suggesting that an existing community of Jewish believers would have been present. Peter's arrival in Lydda indicates the organic growth of the Christian movement from Jerusalem into key provincial towns, demonstrating an apostolic concern for the care and nurturing of dispersed believers, as well as an ongoing evangelistic outreach.

Acts 9 32 Word analysis

• Now as Peter went here and there (διερχόμενον Πέτρον, dierchomenon Petron):
• Peter (Πέτρος, Petros): The Greek form of the Aramaic "Cephas," meaning "rock." He is a chief apostle, prominent in the early chapters of Acts, symbolizing apostolic leadership and the divine establishment of the Church. His name signifies stability and foundation in Christ.
• went here and there (διερχόμενον, dierchomenon): The present participle of dierchomai (διέρχομαι), meaning "to go through," "to pass through," or "to travel about." It conveys the idea of an extensive, purposeful, and systematic itinerary, not random wandering. This indicates Peter's active role in visiting, overseeing, and consolidating the dispersed Christian communities, reflecting his pastoral responsibility over the burgeoning churches beyond Jerusalem.
• among them all (διὰ πάντων, dia pantōn):
• This phrase suggests a comprehensive scope of Peter's travels. It likely refers to various existing congregations or groups of believers spread throughout Judea and surrounding areas, emphasizing that his ministry was not confined to one locality but encompassed a wide geographical area. It implies a sense of collective oversight or general apostolic care for the entire Christian body in the region.
• he also came down (κατῆλθεν δὲ καὶ, katēlthen de kai):
• came down (κατῆλθεν, katēlthen): From katerchomai (κατέρχομαι), meaning "to come down" or "to go down." This typically implies descent from a higher elevation. Jerusalem, often referred to as "up" or "going up to," is at a higher altitude compared to the coastal plain where Lydda is situated. This precise geographical detail grounds the narrative in reality, indicating a journey from Jerusalem or another higher-lying Judean town to the plains.
• to the saints (πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους, pros tous hagious):
• saints (ἁγίους, hagious): From hagios (ἅγιος), meaning "holy," "set apart," or "consecrated." In the New Testament, hagios is a common term used to describe all believers in Christ, regardless of their moral perfection. It signifies their status as those called and separated by God for His purposes, members of His consecrated covenant community. This term underscores that Peter was visiting fellow followers of Jesus Christ, acknowledging their new identity in God.
• who lived at Lydda (τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδαν, tous katoikountas Lyddan):
• lived (κατοικοῦντας, katoikountas): From katoikeō (κατοικέω), meaning "to dwell," "to inhabit," or "to reside permanently." This indicates that there was an established, settled community of believers in Lydda, not just transient visitors.
• Lydda (Λύδδαν, Lyddan): An ancient town located in the Shephelah, or the Plain of Sharon, about 11 miles southeast of Joppa. It was a well-known stop on major trade routes between Jerusalem and the coast, suggesting it was a vibrant hub where a significant population resided, making it fertile ground for the Gospel.

Acts 9 32 Bonus section

• Peter's movements described in Acts 9:32 mark the beginning of a specific cluster of narratives (Acts 9:32-43) focusing on his ministry outside Jerusalem, leading up to the momentous events concerning Cornelius in Acts 10. This structure highlights the continuous growth of the church towards fulfilling the Acts 1:8 mandate for witness in Judea and Samaria before extending to the "ends of the earth."
• Lydda was historically a key Jewish center and a future hub for Rabbinic academies. The presence of Christian "saints" there demonstrates the early success of the Gospel among the Jewish population beyond Jerusalem, showing an organic diffusion rather than solely a centralized operation.
• This passage underscores the early church's recognition of distinct geographical "spheres of influence" for apostles (Peter to the circumcised, Paul to the Gentiles, Gal 2:7-8). Peter's work in Lydda and Joppa reinforces his role among the Jewish believers before his vision concerning Cornelius opens the door for gentile inclusion.
• The connection between the physical presence of an apostle and the manifestation of God's power through signs and wonders is a recurring theme in Acts. Peter's visit to Lydda is quickly followed by the healing of Aeneas, showcasing God's endorsement of the apostolic mission and fostering conviction among the inhabitants.

Acts 9 32 Commentary

Acts 9:32 portrays Peter not as a static figure in Jerusalem but as an active, itinerant apostle, deeply engaged in the burgeoning ministry beyond the initial base. His journey "here and there" signifies comprehensive pastoral care and apostolic oversight, tending to the spiritual welfare of the expanding Christian communities. The particular emphasis on "saints" at Lydda underscores that the Christian movement was now establishing settled congregations in various towns, comprising individuals who, though imperfect, were set apart by God for His purposes. Peter's "coming down" from higher ground provides a realistic geographical detail, grounding the divine narrative in real-world journeys. This strategic apostolic visitation directly sets the stage for the miraculous healing of Aeneas in the subsequent verses (Acts 9:33-35), an event that further catalyzes the spread of the Gospel in the region and contributes to the pivotal events leading to the conversion of Cornelius, broadening the church's reach to Gentiles. It powerfully illustrates the commitment of early apostolic leaders to shepherd and grow the church, often accompanying their visits with demonstrations of God's power.