Saul's Early Ministry and Acceptance by the Church
Acts 9:20-31
Acts.9.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ευθεως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- συναγωγαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εκηρυσσεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 22:14-15 (structural): Paul's own retelling of his commission: God chose him to know the Righteous One and made him a witness—parallel account of his immediate proclamation about Jesus after the Damascus vision.
- Acts 26:16-22 (structural): Paul before Agrippa recounts being commissioned to be a witness and declaring what he had seen and heard, including preaching repentance and turning to God—corresponding narrative of early proclamation of Jesus as divine figure.
- John 20:31 (verbal): Gospel author's stated purpose: that readers may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God—directly echoes the claim preached in Acts 9:20 ('that he is the Son of God').
- Matthew 16:16 (thematic): Peter's confession 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God' parallels the affirmation of Jesus' identity as Son of God proclaimed publicly in Acts 9:20.
- Romans 1:4 (thematic): Paul's theological claim that Jesus 'was declared to be the Son of God' (by resurrection/power) aligns with the content of the proclamation Paul immediately began to preach in the synagogues.
Alternative generated candidates
- And immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."
- Immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."
Acts.9.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εξισταντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ακουοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ελεγον·Ουχ: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πορθησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- επικαλουμενους: PART,pres,act,acc,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ωδε: ADV
- εις: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εληλυθει: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- δεδεμενους: PART,perf,pass,acc,pl,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- αγαγη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 8:1-3 (verbal): Describes Saul's active persecution in Jerusalem—entering houses, dragging off men and women, and imprisoning them—matching the crowd's identification of him as the one who 'destroyed' those who called on Jesus' name.
- Acts 9:1-2 (structural): Immediate context: Saul is described as breathing threats and asking for letters to bring bound any who belonged to 'the Way' to Jerusalem—explains why listeners think he came to bring believers bound to the chief priests.
- Acts 22:4-5 (quotation): Paul's own retelling of his former persecuting activity—binding and delivering both men and women to prison and receiving authority from the chief priests—parallels the accusation reported in Acts 9:21.
- Acts 26:9-11 (allusion): Paul before Agrippa recounts persecuting Christians, entering houses, and imprisoning both men and women—another retelling of the same actions that make listeners in 9:21 identify him as the persecutor.
- Galatians 1:13 (thematic): Paul's summary of his pre-conversion life—'I persecuted the church of God beyond measure'—thematically echoes the crowd's characterization of him in Acts 9:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- All who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name, and came here to bring them bound before the chief priests?"
- And all who heard him were astonished and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name? And has he not come here to take them bound before the chief priests?"
Acts.9.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Σαυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- μαλλον: ADV
- ενεδυναμουτο: VERB,impf,mp,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- συνεχυννεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- Ιουδαιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κατοικουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- Δαμασκω: PROPN,dat,sg,f
- συμβιβαζων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:20 (verbal): Immediate narrational parallel: after his conversion Saul 'immediately' began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God / Christ, echoing the proclamation in 9:22.
- Acts 22:14-15 (structural): Paul's own retelling of his conversion and commissioning: God appointed him 'to know his will' and 'to see the Righteous One,' a structural parallel to the Damascus event that results in Saul's public witness for Christ.
- Galatians 1:16 (thematic): Paul's summary of his vocation: God 'revealed his Son in me' so that he might preach him among the Gentiles—the same divine revelation that leads Saul to proclaim Jesus as the Christ in Damascus.
- Galatians 1:23-24 (allusion): The Galatian account records others' reaction—'he who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy'—an explicit echo of Saul's transformation and his confrontational proclamation in Jewish synagogues.
- Acts 2:36 (thematic): Peter's Jerusalem proclamation that 'God has made him both Lord and Christ' parallels the core claim Saul is proving in Damascus: the identification of Jesus as the Christ (Messiah/Lord) to a Jewish audience.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Saul grew stronger and stronger, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this is the Christ.
- But Saul grew stronger and stronger, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Acts.9.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ως: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- επληρουντο: VERB,impf,mp,ind,3,pl
- ημεραι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- ικαναι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- συνεβουλευσαντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ανελειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον·: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:1-2 (verbal): Same episode: Saul (Paul) is actively seeking to arrest/attack followers of 'the Way' and has authorization to bring them bound to Jerusalem—background for the plot against him in Damascus.
- Acts 9:29 (verbal): Later parallel where Jews again plot to kill Paul after he preaches boldly in Jerusalem—repeats the motif of Jewish opposition seeking his death.
- Acts 7:58 (thematic): The mob stoning of Stephen shows earlier Jewish-led violence against a Christian in Jerusalem, providing precedent for Jewish attempts to kill prominent believers.
- Matthew 26:3-5 (thematic): The Jewish leaders (chief priests and elders) take counsel to arrest and kill Jesus—same language and pattern of 'taking counsel' to execute an opponent.
Alternative generated candidates
- When many days had passed, the Jews took counsel to kill him,
- After many days had passed there was a plot among the Jews to put him to death, but their plan became known to Saul.
Acts.9.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εγνωσθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Σαυλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επιβουλη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- παρετηρουντο: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- πυλας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- οπως: CONJ
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ανελωσιν·: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 37:18-20 (thematic): Joseph’s brothers conspire to kill him and lie in wait—an earlier example of a plot to murder a threatened figure and watch for his approach, thematically parallel to the plot against Saul.
- John 11:53-57 (verbal): After Jesus raises Lazarus the Jewish leaders ‘plot to put him to death’ and watch for opportunities to arrest him—language and intent closely parallel the explicit plotting and vigilant watching in Acts 9:24.
- Acts 12:3-4 (structural): Herod arrests Peter and places him under heavy guard with the intention of bringing him out after the festival—a closely related narrative structure of hostile authorities plotting against an apostle and posting guards.
- Proverbs 1:11-12 (verbal): The enticers say ‘let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent’—language of ambush and planned violence that echoes the plot and nocturnal watch described in Acts 9:24.
- Matthew 26:4-5 (thematic): The chief priests and elders take counsel to arrest Jesus by treachery and put him to death—another New Testament instance of religious leaders conspiring secretly to kill a perceived threat, thematically parallel to the plot against Saul.
Alternative generated candidates
- but their plot became known to Saul; they were watching the gates day and night to kill him.
- They kept watch at the gates day and night to kill him,
Acts.9.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λαβοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- τειχους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- καθηκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- χαλασαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- σπυριδι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 9:23-25 (structural): Immediate narrative context describing the plot to kill Saul and the disciples lowering him by night through the wall in a basket—the same episode spanning these verses.
- 2 Corinthians 11:32-33 (quotation): Paul's own later retelling of the Damascus escape: he says he was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall to evade capture—direct autobiographical parallel.
- Jeremiah 38:6 (thematic): Jeremiah is lowered into a cistern/pit and later rescued—parallel motif of confinement and being lowered/raised as means of peril and deliverance.
- Genesis 37:24 (thematic): Joseph is thrown into a pit by his brothers and later removed—a similar motif of descent into a confined space and subsequent rescue or escape.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the disciples, taking him by night, let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
- but his disciples took him by night and lowered him through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
Acts.9.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Παραγενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,ms
- δε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επειραζεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- κολλασθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μαθηταις·και: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εφοβουντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- πιστευοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μαθητης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:27 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Barnabas vouches for Saul and brings him to the apostles, resolving the disciples' fear and skepticism.
- Galatians 1:18-24 (allusion): Paul's own summary of his first visit to Jerusalem after conversion; corroborates the account that he sought fellowship with the Jerusalem believers and that they initially knew little of him and were cautious.
- Acts 26:9-11 (thematic): Paul's later defense recounts his violent persecution of the church—background that explains why the Jerusalem disciples feared and found it hard to accept his claim to be a follower.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (thematic): Paul emphasizes his former role as a persecutor and his radical transformation by God's grace, illuminating why his conversion may have been met with disbelief by the disciples.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
- When he came to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Acts.9.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Βαρναβας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- επιλαβομενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ηγαγεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αποστολους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- διηγησατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- πως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- οδω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ειδεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- ελαλησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- Δαμασκω: PROPN,dat,sg,f
- επαρρησιασατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:26 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding verse describes Saul's arrival in Jerusalem and the apostles' initial fear, directly connected to Barnabas' intervention in 9:27.
- Acts 9:10-18 (structural): Parallel material in the same chapter recounting Ananias' commission to visit Saul in Damascus—complements Barnabas' report about what happened there (the Lord's appearance and Saul's ministry in Damascus).
- Acts 22:11-16 (quotation): Paul's own retelling of his Damascus experience before a Jerusalem crowd, including the vision, hearing the Lord, and subsequent instructions—corroborates the content Barnabas reports.
- Acts 26:12-18 (quotation): Paul's defense before Agrippa that narrates the vision on the road to Damascus and his calling to witness for Jesus—another firsthand account matching Barnabas' summary of events and preaching in Damascus.
- Galatians 1:15-17 (thematic): Paul's autobiographical statement about being set apart and called by revelation (not receiving instruction from humans) parallels the theme of divine commissioning conveyed in Barnabas' report of the Lord's appearance and Paul's bold preaching.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
- But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and narrated to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
Acts.9.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- μετ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- εισπορευομενος: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εκπορευομενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παρρησιαζομενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 4:31 (verbal): Uses the same concept/term of παρρησία—the Spirit-filled community is granted boldness to speak the word of God, paralleling Paul’s ‘παρρησιαζομενος’ in Jerusalem.
- Acts 28:31 (thematic): Paul later in Rome proclaims the kingdom and teaches about Jesus ‘with all boldness’—a parallel situation of unhibited preaching in the Lord’s name.
- Acts 9:29 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in Acts where Paul openly disputes and speaks boldly; continues the same ministry pattern of moving in/out of cities and proclaiming Christ.
- Hebrews 10:19 (verbal): Uses παρρησίαν ('we have confidence/boldness')—the same language for confident access and proclamation rooted in Christ, echoing the boldness motif in Acts 9:28.
- 2 Corinthians 3:12 (verbal): Paulic self-description employing the language of boldness (παρρησία) in ministry—linguistic and vocational parallel to Acts’ report of his bold public witness.
Alternative generated candidates
- So he was with them, coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
- So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
Acts.9.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελαλει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- συνεζητει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- Ελληνιστας·οι: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- επεχειρουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ανελειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:23 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: earlier in the Damascus episode the Jews plotted to kill Saul—same episode of opposition that leads to his flight.
- Acts 6:9-15 (verbal): Mentions disputes with Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) over the gospel and the ensuing hostility toward Stephen, paralleling Acts 9:29’s description of arguing with Hellenists.
- Acts 7:58-60 (thematic): Stephen’s disputation with opponents culminated in violent execution (stoning); thematically parallels disputation provoking lethal hostility against a Christian.
- Acts 14:19 (thematic): Paul is later stoned after opposition stirred up by opponents—another instance where missionary debate leads to attempted/actual killing of an apostle.
Alternative generated candidates
- He spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed with the Hellenists; but they tried to kill him.
- He spoke and debated with the Hellenists; but they sought to kill him. When the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
Acts.9.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επιγνοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- κατηγαγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- Καισαρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εξαπεστειλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- Ταρσον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 11:25-26 (verbal): Barnabas goes to Tarsus to find Saul and bring him to Antioch — directly echoes Acts 9:30’s mention of Saul being in Tarsus and shows the later retrieval of him from that city.
- Acts 22:3 (verbal): Paul identifies himself as 'a native of Tarsus of Cilicia' — connects to Acts 9:30's sending of Saul to his hometown, explaining why Tarsus is his place of refuge.
- Galatians 1:21 (thematic): Paul says after his conversion he went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia — parallels Acts 9:30’s account of Paul withdrawing to Cilicia/Tarsus and ministering away from Jerusalem.
- Matthew 10:23 (thematic): Jesus instructs disciples to flee to another town when persecuted — thematically parallels the church’s decision in Acts 9:30 to send Saul away for safety in response to threats.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
- The church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was being built up, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Acts.9.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Η: ART,nom,sg,fem
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- εκκλησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- καθ᾽ολης: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Ιουδαιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Γαλιλαιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Σαμαρειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ειχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ειρηνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- οικοδομουμενη: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- πορευομενη: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- φοβω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παρακλησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- επληθυνετο: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 2:41-47 (verbal): Describes the early church's growth, communal life, and that 'awe' (fear/reverence) came upon the people while the Lord added to their number—paralleling peace, fear of the Lord, and multiplication.
- Acts 4:31-33 (verbal): After prayer the believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and boldness; the community experiences unity, grace, and the Lord's powerful blessing—echoing Spirit‑given encouragement, edification, and growth.
- Acts 6:7 (verbal): Reports that the word of God spread and the number of disciples increased greatly—closely parallel to Acts 9:31's note that the church was being built up and multiplied.
- Acts 11:21 (thematic): States 'the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed'—thematic parallel in divine blessing leading to church growth and vitality in a region.
- Ephesians 4:15-16 (structural): Paul's description of the church being built up and growing as each part works together corresponds structurally to Acts 9:31's language of the church 'being built up' through the Spirit.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied in numbers.
- So the church was multiplied, and continued in the fear of the Lord and the consolation of the Spirit.
And immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, 'He is the Son of God.'
All who heard him were amazed and said, 'Is this not the man who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called upon this name, and who came here for that purpose to bring them bound before the chief priests?' But Saul grew stronger and stronger, and utterly confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him. So the disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the city wall, lowering him in a basket.
When he came to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and recounted to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how boldly he had preached in Damascus in the name of Jesus.
He was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, and spoke boldly in the name of the Lord.
He spoke and disputed with the Hellenists, but they sought to kill him.
When the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Then the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was built up; walking in the fear of the Lord and comforted by the Holy Spirit, it multiplied in numbers.