But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
Parallel translations
- WEB But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
- KJV Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
- NKJV Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
- NASB But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints in Jerusalem;
- NLT “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!
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 objected, recalling the great harm Saul had done to believers. His fear was understandable given Saul's reputation.
Overview
Ananias honestly voices his hesitation, knowing Saul as a notorious enemy of the saints. His reaction reflects the natural caution of the persecuted church. Yet his willingness to bring his fears to the Lord, rather than simply refuse, shows a faith that will ultimately obey.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- 1 Tim 1:13–15I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
- Acts 8:3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
- Acts 22:19–20‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You.
- Ezek 3:14So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.
- Acts 9:1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest
- Acts 26:10–11And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them.
- Acts 9:32As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.
- Rom 16:2Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.
- Acts 22:4I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison,
- Matt 10:16Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- Rom 15:31Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,
- Exod 4:13–19But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.”
- Rom 1:7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Rom 15:25–26Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there.
- 1 Kgs 18:9–14But Obadiah replied, “How have I sinned, that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to put me to death?
- Jonah 1:2–3“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.”
- Jer 20:9–10If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.
- 1 Sam 16:2“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
- Rom 16:15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.
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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.
How Acts 9:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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