Acts 9 9

Acts 9:9 kjv

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Acts 9:9 nkjv

And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Acts 9:9 niv

For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Acts 9:9 esv

And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Acts 9:9 nlt

He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 9 Meaning

This verse describes Saul's immediate physical response and subsequent inaction following his dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. He is blinded and led away, unable to see or eat.

Acts 9 9 Context

This verse occurs during the dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus, as recorded in the book of Acts. Saul, a zealous Pharisee who had been actively persecuting the early Christian church, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. This encounter utterly transforms him. Verse 9 follows the blinding light and the voice from heaven, leaving Saul disoriented and physically incapacitated. It sets the stage for God's direct intervention through Ananias to restore Saul's sight and commission him as an apostle. The historical context is the early spread of Christianity, and Saul's former role as a fierce opponent makes his transformation profoundly significant.

Acts 9 9 Word Analysis

• And (και - kai): Conjunction, linking this event to the previous one.
• he (αὐτός - autos): Refers to Saul.
• arose (ἐγέρθη - egerthē): Passive voice, 3rd person singular, aorist indicative of ἐγείρω (egeirō). Literally means "was roused up" or "was raised." Indicates a state of being awakened or brought to a standing position, possibly from a fallen state or simply as a response. In a broader sense, it can signify resurrection or being raised to a new spiritual life.
• and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction.
• opened (ἤνοιξεν - ēnoixen): Active voice, 3rd person singular, aorist indicative of ἀνοίγω (anoigō). Means "to open," "to reveal." Here, it refers to his eyes being opened, physically.
• his (αὐτοῦ - autou): Possessive pronoun, genitive case.
• eyes (τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς - tous ophthalmous): Accusative plural of ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos), meaning "eye." Plural is used because it refers to both eyes.
• and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction.
• saw (ἐθεώρουν - etheōroun): Imperfect middle voice, 3rd person plural of θεωρέω (theōreō). Means "to look at," "to behold," "to observe carefully." The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or repeated action, but in this context, given Saul's blindness, it is more likely a description of what he tried to do or what was expected, which failed. However, the text implies he could not see properly despite trying to open his eyes. Another interpretation is that it describes what others observed him doing (or failing to do). The prevailing understanding from parallel accounts (Acts 9:17, 22:13) is that he did not see. Therefore, the text implies he opened his eyes but saw nothing, or he perceived nothing.
• no (οὐδένα - oudena): Accusative singular masculine of οὐδείς (oudeis), meaning "not one," "no one," "nothing."
• one (οὐδένα - oudena): Emphatic negation.
• all (πάντας - pantas): Accusative plural masculine of πᾶς (pas), meaning "all," "every."
• the days (τὰς ἡμέρας - tas hēmeras): Accusative plural of ἡμέρα (hēmera), meaning "day."
• he (οὗτος - houtos): Demonstrative pronoun, nominative singular masculine, meaning "this man." Refers back to Saul.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "And he arose and opened his eyes": This signifies Saul’s regaining of basic bodily function, attempting to perceive his surroundings, but this attempt is immediately met with futility due to the divine intervention that blinded him. It's a physical awakening coupled with spiritual darkness.
• "and saw no one": This directly states the effect of the encounter. His physical vision was obscured, making him completely dependent. The inability to see "anyone" emphasizes his profound state of helplessness.
• "but called them with his hands and led him to Damascus": This phrase actually comes from the next part of the sentence in some translations. However, focusing on the first part, the emphasis is on his immediate disorientation and reliance on others, which contrasts sharply with his prior forceful, independent action as a persecutor.

Acts 9 9 Bonus Section

The profound nature of Saul’s blinding encounter and subsequent inability to see underscores the transformative power of encountering Christ. The duration of his blindness (three days, as per Acts 9:9 which isn't explicitly stated but implied by the parallel accounts and his lack of eating) signifies a period of fasting, reflection, and prayer, a critical transition before his restoration and commissioning. This blindness is often seen as a metaphor for the spiritual darkness of those who oppose God, needing divine intervention to perceive truth. His reliance on others in this state is a crucial lesson in humility and the interconnectedness of believers, foreshadowing his future role in building up the Church.

Acts 9 9 Commentary

Saul, struck blind by the divine light of the risen Christ, physically rose but found his sight completely gone. This physical blindness served as a powerful symbol of his spiritual blindness prior to his conversion. Despite opening his eyes, he could perceive nothing, highlighting his helplessness and dependence. He needed others to guide him. This is the immediate consequence of confronting the glorious presence of Jesus, a stark contrast to Saul's former confidence and self-sufficiency in his zeal for the law. His blindness wasn't merely physical; it represented a transition from his old life and perspective to a new one that required a divine revelation to perceive correctly.