There a man named Ananias, a devout observer of the law who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there,
Parallel translations
- WEB One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,
- KJV And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
- NKJV “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,
- NASB “Now a certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
- NLT A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Ananias, a devout law-keeping Jew respected by all the Damascus Jews, comes to Paul. God sends a man of unquestioned reputation to his new servant.
Overview
Paul stresses Ananias's piety and good standing among Jews to underscore the credibility of his testimony to a Jewish audience. God works through an ordinary, faithful disciple to confirm and instruct the future apostle. The continuity Paul highlights shows the gospel is the fulfillment, not the abandonment, of Israel's faith.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Acts 10:22“Cornelius the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.”
- Acts 6:3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them
- 3 Jn 1:12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
- Acts 17:4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
- Luke 2:25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
- 1 Tim 3:7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
- Acts 8:2God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.
- Acts 9:10–18In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered.
- Heb 11:2This is why the ancients were commended.
- 2 Cor 6:8through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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