King James Version

What Does Acts 22:10 Mean?

Acts 22:10 in the King James Version says “And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told th... — study this verse from Acts chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

Acts 22:10 · KJV


Context

8

And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

9

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10

And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11

And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What shall I do, Lord? (Τί ποιήσω, κύριε;)—Saul's response shifts from resistance to submission. The question 'what shall I do' (τί ποιήσω) expresses immediate obedience, contrasting sharply with his former persecution. Addressing Jesus as Lord (κύριε) acknowledges divine authority, fulfilling what Ananias would later call him: 'Brother Saul' (v.13). The phrase appointed for thee to do (τεταγμένα σοι ποιῆσαι) uses the perfect passive participle—God had already ordained Saul's apostolic mission before the Damascus road encounter. Paul's conversion demonstrates sovereign grace overcoming human rebellion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred on the Damascus road circa AD 34-35. Paul recounts this conversion story in his defense before the Jerusalem mob (Acts 22:1-21). Damascus was a major Syrian city about 135 miles northeast of Jerusalem, with significant Jewish population.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Saul's immediate question 'What shall I do?' challenge cultural Christianity that seeks to know Christ without radical obedience?
  2. In what ways does God's 'appointed' work for you require submitting your own ambitions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
εἶπεν1 of 24

I said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ2 of 24

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Τί3 of 24

What

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ποιῆσαι4 of 24

shall I do

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

κύριος5 of 24

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

6 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ7 of 24

And

G1161

but, and, etc

κύριος8 of 24

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

εἶπεν9 of 24

I said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρός10 of 24

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

με11 of 24

me

G3165

me

Ἀναστὰς12 of 24

Arise

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

πορεύου13 of 24

and go

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

εἰς14 of 24

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

Δαμασκόν15 of 24

Damascus

G1154

damascus, a city of syria

κἀκεῖ16 of 24

and there

G2546

likewise in that place

σοι17 of 24

for thee

G4671

to thee

λαληθήσεται18 of 24

it shall be told

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

περὶ19 of 24

of

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

πάντων20 of 24

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὧν21 of 24

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τέτακταί22 of 24

are appointed

G5021

to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e., assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot)

σοι23 of 24

for thee

G4671

to thee

ποιῆσαι24 of 24

shall I do

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 22:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 22:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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