King James Version

What Does Acts 9:29 Mean?

Acts 9:29 in the King James Version says “And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.” — study this verse from Acts chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.”

Acts 9:29 · KJV

Context

27

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28

And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Read Acts 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Saul's fearless proclamation and resulting persecution establish patterns defining his entire ministry—bold witness producing violent opposition.

Spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus indicates authoritative proclamation grounded in Christ's authority, not personal opinion. The phrase in the name signifies representation and authorization—Saul spoke as Christ's ambassador. Boldness (Greek: parrēsiazomai) connotes freedom of speech without fear, characteristic of Spirit-filled witness (Acts 4:31).

Disputed against the Grecians identifies specific opponents—Hellenistic Jews, likely including Stephen's murderers (Acts 6:9-14). Saul confronted the very group he'd once allied with in persecution. This took extraordinary courage and demonstrates conversion's radical reorientation. He now defended truths he'd violently opposed.

They went about to slay him fulfills Jesus' prediction—disciples will face persecution (John 15:20). The intensity of opposition validated gospel's authenticity. False religion typically accommodates culture; true gospel confronts sin, provoking hostile reaction. Reformed theology recognizes persecution as mark of genuine church—where gospel is purely preached, Satan attacks vigorously.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hellenistic Jews (Greek-speaking diaspora Jews) formed distinct synagogue communities in Jerusalem. Acts 6:9 identifies specific groups—Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians (Saul's home province). These same groups opposed Stephen, leading to his martyrdom. Saul, once their ally, now faced their murderous rage.

The theological issues centered on Jesus' messiahship, temple's future, and Law's role—same controversies that doomed Stephen. Saul's arguments likely paralleled Stephen's (Acts 7), showing Christianity as Judaism's fulfillment, not replacement. The death threat around 37 CE forced Saul's return to Tarsus (Acts 9:30), beginning his 'silent years' before Barnabas recruited him for Antioch ministry (Acts 11:25).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does boldness in gospel proclamation distinguish Spirit-filled witness from timid accommodation?
  2. What does opposition's intensity reveal about the gospel's threatening nature to religious systems?
  3. In what ways does confronting former allies require greater courage than facing strangers?
  4. How should believers balance bold witness with wise discretion in dangerous contexts?
  5. What does persecution's presence indicate about church's faithfulness to gospel truth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
καὶ1 of 20

“And”

G2532

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

παῤῥησιαζόμενος2 of 20

“boldly”

G3955

to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor

ἐν3 of 20

“in”

G1722

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

τῷ4 of 20
G3588

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

ὀνόματί5 of 20

“the name”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

τοῦ6 of 20
G3588

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

κυρίου7 of 20

“of the Lord”

G2962

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

Ἰησοῦ8 of 20

“Jesus”

G2424

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

ἐλάλει9 of 20

“he spake”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

τε10 of 20

“and”

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

καὶ11 of 20

“And”

G2532

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

συνεζήτει12 of 20

“disputed”

G4802

to investigate jointly, i.e., discuss, controvert, cavil

πρὸς13 of 20

“against”

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,

τοὺς14 of 20
G3588

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

Ἑλληνιστάς15 of 20

“the Grecians”

G1675

a hellenist or greek-speaking jew

οἱ16 of 20
G3588

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

δὲ17 of 20

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐπεχείρουν18 of 20

“they went about”

G2021

to put the hand upon, i.e., undertake

αὐτόν19 of 20

“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

ἀνελεῖν20 of 20

“to slay”

G337

to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder

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 9:29 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 9:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 6:1Jude 1:92 Corinthians 11:26Acts 11:20Acts 19:8Acts 9:27

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