King James Version
What Does Acts 22:16 Mean?
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Context
14
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
17
And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18
And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(16) **Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins.**—Here, again, we have words which are not in the narrative of Acts 9. They show that for the Apostle that baptism was no formal or ceremonial act, but was joined with repentance, and, faith being presupposed, brought with it the assurance of a real forgiveness. In St. Paul’s language as to the “washing” (or, *bath*) of regeneration (Titus 3:5) we may trace his continued adherence to the idea which he had thus been taught to embrace on his first admission to the Church of Christ.
**Calling on the name of the Lord.**—The better MSS. give simply, “calling upon His name,” i.e., the name of the Just One whom St. Paul had seen. The reading in the Received text probably arose from a wish to adapt the phrase to the language of Acts 2:21.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 22:16 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 22:16
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge