And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
Parallel translations
- WEB But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
- BSB Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest
- NKJV Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
- NASB Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
- NLT Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.
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
Saul was still violently persecuting the disciples, seeking authority to arrest believers. His hostility sets the stage for a stunning conversion.
Overview
Luke reintroduces Saul, last seen approving Stephen's death, as a fierce enemy of the church. His threats and slaughter against the Lord's disciples show how deeply he opposed the gospel. This dark portrait magnifies the grace about to transform him, proving that no sinner is beyond God's reach.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Acts 8:3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
- 1 Tim 1:13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- Gal 1:13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
- Acts 9:11–21And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
- 1 Cor 15:9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- Acts 22:3–5I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
- Acts 7:58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
- Acts 26:9–11I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Phil 3:6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
- Ps 27:12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
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.
How Acts 9:1 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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