King James Version

What Does Acts 9:6 Mean?

Acts 9:6 in the King James Version says “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into... — study this verse from Acts chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Acts 9:6 · KJV


Context

4

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?—Saul's question marks complete surrender: the persecutor becomes disciple, submitting his will to Christ's direction. The Greek 'tremōn' (trembling) indicates physical fear and awe before divine majesty. What wilt thou have me to do? (τί με θέλεις ποιῆσαι;) shows immediate readiness to obey, abandoning his Damascus mission for Christ's alternative plan. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do—Christ provides only initial instructions, requiring Saul to walk by faith. God often reveals his will incrementally, testing obedience at each step.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Christ directed Saul into Damascus where Ananias, warned by vision (vv.10-16), would baptize him and restore his sight. This required Saul to trust the very Christians he came to arrest. The three-day gap between encounter and Ananias' visit allowed time for prayer and reflection. Note: some manuscripts omit the verse 6 questions, placing them at verse 5.

Reflection Questions

  1. What question has God left unanswered in your life, requiring you to obey the last instruction before receiving the next?
  2. How does Saul's immediate submission ('what wilt thou have me to do?') model conversion's proper response?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Τρέμων1 of 28

he trembling

G5141

to "tremble" or fear

τε2 of 28

And

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

καὶ3 of 28

And

G2532

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

θαμβῶν4 of 28

astonished

G2284

to stupefy (with surprise), i.e., astound

εἶπεν5 of 28

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

κύριος6 of 28

Lord

G2962

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

τί7 of 28

what

G5101

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

μέ8 of 28

me

G3165

me

θέλεις9 of 28

wilt thou have

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ποιεῖν10 of 28

do

G4160

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

καὶ11 of 28

And

G2532

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

12 of 28
G3588

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

κύριος13 of 28

Lord

G2962

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

πρός14 of 28

said 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,

αὐτόν15 of 28

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

ἀνάστηθι16 of 28

Arise

G450

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

καὶ17 of 28

And

G2532

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

εἴσελθε18 of 28

go

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς19 of 28

into

G1519

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

τὴν20 of 28
G3588

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

πόλιν21 of 28

the city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

καὶ22 of 28

And

G2532

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

λαληθήσεταί23 of 28

it shall be told

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

σοι24 of 28

thee

G4671

to thee

τί25 of 28

what

G5101

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

σε26 of 28

thou

G4571

thee

δεῖ27 of 28

must

G1163

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

ποιεῖν28 of 28

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 9:6 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 9:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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