Acts 9 6

Acts 9:6 kjv

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Acts 9:6 nkjv

So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

Acts 9:6 niv

"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

Acts 9:6 esv

But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

Acts 9:6 nlt

Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 6 Meaning

Acts 9:6 marks the immediate, transformative response of Saul, the former persecutor, to his encounter with the resurrected Christ. Struck by divine power and authority, he moves from a state of terror and bewilderment to one of humble submission, asking for direction. The verse records Jesus's concise command for Saul to take the immediate next step, promising further revelation upon his obedience, thereby demonstrating God's sovereign guidance and Saul's total surrender.

Acts 9 6 Context

Acts 9:6 is central to the dramatic account of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. Prior to this verse, Saul, a zealous Pharisee, was vehemently persecuting Christians, imprisoning them and even consenting to Stephen's death (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2). His journey to Damascus was explicitly for the purpose of extending this persecution. The preceding verses (Acts 9:3-5) describe his sudden encounter with a blinding light from heaven and hearing the voice of Jesus, who identifies with the persecuted Christians ("Why persecutest thou me?"). This divine confrontation utterly disoriented Saul, rendering him powerless and literally blind. His companions heard the voice but did not understand. Verse 6 marks Saul's first recorded words of submission and inquiry to the Lord who confronted him, signaling the beginning of his transformation from chief persecutor to chosen apostle. Historically, this event took place likely within a few years after Christ's ascension, during a period of significant growth and early persecution for the nascent Christian church within the Roman Empire, predominantly Jewish synagogues. There is no direct polemic in this specific verse, but the entire event undermines the belief that persecuting followers of Christ was an act of loyalty to God.

Acts 9 6 Word analysis

• And he trembling (Koinē Greek: ἔντρομος, entromos): Signifies deep internal shaking, fear, and dread, an overwhelming terror. It is the immediate, visceral response to a divine encounter, a "healthy fear of God." This tremor arises not merely from physical shock (though also present, as he fell to the earth) but from the profound realization of encountering the living, holy God, or rather, the glorified Christ. This fear precedes humility.
• and astonished (Koinē Greek: ἔκθαμβος, ekthambos): Implies extreme amazement, wonder mixed with dismay or bewilderment. It suggests that Saul was completely stunned and disoriented by the unexpected and unprecedented nature of the experience. His former certainty and aggression shattered, replaced by utter perplexity.
• said, Lord, (Koinē Greek: εἶπεν, Κύριε, eīpen, Kýrie): A pivotal moment. Saul addresses Jesus not with anger or defiance, but with "Lord" (Kyrios), acknowledging a sovereign authority. This is a dramatic shift from one who sought to suppress "the Way" to one who acknowledges its divine source. His use of "Lord" signals a nascent, though not yet fully understood, recognition of Christ's supreme identity and power, despite his past rejection.
• what wilt thou have me to do? (Koinē Greek: τί με θέλεις ποιῆσαι;, tí me théleis poiḗsai): This question encapsulates the essence of conversion. It signifies profound humility, absolute surrender of his own will, and complete submission to divine command. It moves beyond mere recognition to an immediate and unqualified willingness to obey. It contrasts sharply with his prior independent and aggressive agenda.
• And the Lord said unto him, Arise, (Koinē Greek: Καὶ ὁ Κύριος εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν, Ἀναστὰς, Kaì ho Kýrios eīpen pròs autón, Anastàs): A direct command. "Arise" (a present participle used imperatively) is an immediate, actionable instruction. It can also carry the nuance of rising from a former state of being or understanding, initiating a new path.
• and go into the city, (Koinē Greek: εἰς τὴν πόλιν, eis tḕn pólin): A specific, practical geographical directive. The Lord often provides first steps that require simple obedience without immediate full understanding. Damascus, the destination of his persecution, now becomes the place of his redirection.
• and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Koinē Greek: καὶ λαληθήσεταί σοι τί σε δεῖ ποιῆσαι., kaì lalethḗsetaí soi tí se deῖ poiḗsai): This indicates a process, not an immediate comprehensive plan. Saul is to take the first step of obedience, and further instructions will follow. God reveals His will progressively, fostering faith, dependence, and patient obedience rather than overwhelming with full knowledge upfront.

Words-group analysis:

• "trembling and astonished": This duo portrays the overwhelming and debilitating impact of the divine encounter, showing a soul stripped of all pride and self-assurance, brought low by the sheer power and presence of Christ. It illustrates the necessary shattering of self before true submission can occur.
• "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?": This foundational question is the heart of conversion and discipleship. It reveals a radical shift from commanding others (and persecuting Christ) to an earnest and unconditional readiness to be commanded by Christ. It is a commitment of will and purpose to follow divine direction.
• "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do": This demonstrates God's immediate, yet partial, command and leading. It illustrates the principle that God often provides the next step, rather than the entire roadmap, teaching dependence and requiring faith in following His progressive revelation. It emphasizes that obedience is required for receiving further clarity.

Acts 9 6 Bonus section

The question "what wilt thou have me to do?" (τί με θέλεις ποιῆσαι;) uttered by Saul after being confronted by the Lord, echoes the posture of someone whose life has been irrevocably altered and who now completely yields their purpose to a higher power. It's a hallmark of true repentance and a turning point. Scholars highlight that this query marks the immediate result of Saul's revelation, signifying a profound spiritual shift before any further doctrinal understanding or baptism. The instruction to "Arise" (Ἀναστὰς) has symbolic weight beyond simply getting up; it implies a 'resurrection' to a new spiritual reality, echoing Christ's own resurrection power which now impacts Saul. Furthermore, this verse illustrates God's sovereign hand in choosing His instruments; He doesn't wait for Saul to fully understand but acts definitively and brings him to a point of humble, ready obedience. This event establishes the divine calling and specific commissioning that will shape Paul's entire apostolic ministry, transforming him from the persecutor of Christ's body to its most ardent builder and advocate.

Acts 9 6 Commentary

Acts 9:6 captures the dramatic and complete reversal of Saul's life. His immediate and raw reaction of "trembling and astonished" showcases the overwhelming nature of encountering the risen Christ, humbling him completely. The transition from persecutor to humble inquirer is profound, encapsulated in his question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" This query is a paradigm of genuine repentance and submission: it signifies an utter abandonment of personal will and an unreserved surrender to divine authority. There is no negotiation, no self-justification, only a fervent desire for divine direction.

Christ's response is both authoritative and revealing of God's method. The command to "Arise, and go into the city" is a direct call to action, demanding immediate obedience to a simple, physical step. This instruction, given to one who was blinded and physically incapacitated, highlights the spiritual reality of new direction. The crucial phrase, "and it shall be told thee what thou must do," underscores God's method of progressive revelation. He does not reveal the entire future at once but leads His servants step-by-step. Saul's subsequent three days of blindness and waiting in Damascus would be a period of intense reflection, prayer, and complete dependence on God before Ananias arrives with further instructions. This moment in Acts 9:6 establishes the pattern of Saul's future ministry: one of absolute dependence on and obedience to the Lord's specific calling and guidance, even when the path is not entirely clear. It serves as an example for all believers: conversion involves surrender, and discipleship requires ongoing, humble obedience to God's unfolding will.

Examples for practical usage:

• Decision Making: When faced with uncertainty, rather than seeking personal gain, believers should pray, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" seeking divine purpose over personal preference.
• New Beginnings: Upon realizing a need for change or a call to service, the first step is often simple obedience to a clear directive, even if the larger plan is unclear (e.g., attending a church service, volunteering for a task, making a humble apology).
• Spiritual Guidance: Waiting for God's further instruction after taking the initial step of obedience, rather than rushing ahead, cultivating patience and dependence on God's timing and means (e.g., through prayer, studying Scripture, wise counsel).