“Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt 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,
- BSB There a man named Ananias, a devout observer of the law who was highly regarded by all the Jews living 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 10:22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.”
- Acts 6:3Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
- 3 Jn 1:12Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
- Acts 17:4Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.
- Luke 2:25Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
- 1 Tim 3:7Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Acts 8:2Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him.
- Acts 9:10–18Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
- Heb 11:2For by this, the elders obtained testimony.
- 2 Cor 6:8by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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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