King James Version

What Does Acts 9:17 Mean?

Acts 9:17 in the King James Version says “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Je... — study this verse from Acts chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17 · KJV


Context

15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake .

17

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ananias' obedient visit to Saul demonstrates remarkable faith overcoming legitimate fear—the Lord commanded him to minister to Christianity's chief persecutor. Addressing Saul as 'brother' immediately includes him in the believing community despite his past. This encounter shows God uses ordinary believers, not just apostles, for strategic ministry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Three days after Saul's Damascus Road encounter (AD 34-35), Ananias received vision-directed instructions to find him at Judas' house on Straight Street. Ananias' obedience enabled Saul's baptism and Spirit-filling, launching history's greatest missionary.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can Christians overcome fear to minister to unlikely or dangerous people when God calls?
  2. What does Ananias' role in Saul's conversion teach about ordinary believers' importance in God's plans?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 36 words
Ἀπῆλθεν1 of 36

went his way

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

δὲ2 of 36

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἁνανίας3 of 36

Ananias

G367

ananias, the name of three israelites

καὶ4 of 36

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰσῆλθεν5 of 36

entered

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς6 of 36

into

G1519

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

τὴν7 of 36
G3588

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

οἰκίαν8 of 36

the house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

καὶ9 of 36

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπιθεὶς10 of 36

putting

G2007

to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense)

ἐπ'11 of 36

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτὸν12 of 36

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὰς13 of 36
G3588

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

χεῖρας14 of 36

his hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

εἶπεν15 of 36

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Σαοὺλ16 of 36

Saul

G4549

saul (i.e., shaul), the jewish name of paul

ἀδελφέ17 of 36

Brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

18 of 36
G3588

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

κύριος19 of 36

the Lord

G2962

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

ἀπέσταλκέν20 of 36

hath sent

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

με21 of 36

me

G3165

me

Ἰησοῦς22 of 36

even Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

23 of 36
G3588

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

ὀφθείς24 of 36

that appeared

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

σοι25 of 36

unto thee

G4671

to thee

ἐν26 of 36

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ27 of 36
G3588

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

ὁδῷ28 of 36

the way

G3598

a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means

29 of 36

as

G3739

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

ἤρχου30 of 36

thou camest

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ὅπως31 of 36

that

G3704

what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)

ἀναβλέψῃς32 of 36

thou mightest receive thy sight

G308

to look up; by implication, to recover sight

καὶ33 of 36

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πλησθῇς34 of 36

be filled with

G4130

to "fill" (literally or figuratively (imbue, influence, supply)); specially, to fulfil (time)

πνεύματος35 of 36

Ghost

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἁγίου36 of 36

the Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)


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 9:17 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 9:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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