Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Parallel translations
- WEB But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
- KJV And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
- BSB Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached 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 8:3But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.
- 1 Tim 1:13although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- Gal 1:13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.
- Acts 9:11–21The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
- 1 Cor 15:9For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.
- Acts 22:3–5“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today.
- Acts 7:58They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
- Acts 26:9–11“I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Phil 3:6concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
- Ps 27:12Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, 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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