Acts 9:23
Acts 9:23 in Multiple Translations
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,
¶ And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:
Then, after some days, the Jews made an agreement together to put him to death:
Some time later the Jews plotted together to kill him,
And after that many dayes were fulfilled, the Iewes tooke counsell together, to kill him,
And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him,
When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
And after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.
And when many days were passed, the Jews consulted together to kill him.
Some time later, after Saul had left Damascus and then returned, the Jewish leaders [SYN] there plotted to kill him.
After that, some of those Jewish people talked with each other about killing Saul. There was a big wall around that city, and it had some gates in it. Every day and every night, they watched those gates. They thought they might see Saul going out of the city, and then they can catch him and kill him. But somebody told Saul about them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 9:23
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Acts 9:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Acts 9:23
Study Notes — Acts 9:23
- Context
- Cross References
- Acts 9:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Acts 9:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 9:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 9:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Acts 9:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 9:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 9:23
- Cambridge Bible on Acts 9:23
- Barnes' Notes on Acts 9:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Acts 9:23
- Sermons on Acts 9:23
Context — The Escape from Damascus
23After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,
24but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. 25One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galatians 1:17–18 | nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. |
| 2 | 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16 | who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them. |
| 3 | Acts 14:19 | Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead. |
| 4 | Acts 13:50 | The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. |
| 5 | Acts 9:16 | I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 11:26 | In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers, |
| 7 | Acts 22:21–23 | Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!” As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, |
| 8 | Matthew 10:16–23 | Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. |
| 9 | Acts 14:2 | But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. |
| 10 | Joshua 10:1–6 | Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and devoted it to destruction —doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king—and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living near them. So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, “Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.” So the five kings of the Amorites—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces and advanced with all their armies. They camped before Gibeon and made war against it. Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us.” |
Acts 9:23 Summary
[This verse tells us that after Saul had been preaching in Damascus for many days, the Jews who lived there began to plot against him and wanted to kill him. This was because Saul was telling everyone that Jesus is the Christ, which made the Jews very angry, similar to the way that Jesus was persecuted in John 11:53. Even though Saul was in danger, he continued to trust in God and proclaim the Gospel, just like Jesus taught us to do in Matthew 10:22-23. As we read this verse, we can remember that following Jesus can sometimes be difficult or even dangerous, but God is always with us and will give us the strength and courage we need to persevere, as seen in Philippians 4:13 and Romans 8:37.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Jews want to kill Saul in Acts 9:23?
The Jews conspired to kill Saul because he was proving that Jesus is the Christ, which was a threat to their beliefs and traditions, as seen in Acts 9:22 where it says he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ, similar to the persecution of the early church in Acts 8:1-3.
How long after Saul's conversion did the Jews conspire against him?
The verse does not specify the exact number of days, but it says 'after many days had passed', indicating that some time had elapsed since Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, as described in Acts 9:1-22.
What can we learn from the Jews' reaction to Saul's preaching?
The Jews' reaction to Saul's preaching shows that persecution can arise when we boldly proclaim the Gospel, as Jesus warned in Matthew 10:22 and Matthew 24:9, but it also shows that God is with us and will empower us to endure, as seen in Acts 9:22 where Saul was empowered all the more.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Acts?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the early Christian church in the book of Acts, which describes the spread of Christianity and the persecution that often accompanied it, as seen in Acts 8:1-3 and Acts 11:19-21, and it sets the stage for Saul's escape and continued ministry in Acts 9:25-31 and beyond, such as his missionary journeys in Acts 13-14 and Acts 15-18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can boldly proclaim the Gospel like Saul, even in the face of opposition or persecution?
- How can I trust God to empower me, like He did Saul, when I am facing challenges or threats in my own life?
- What are some ways that I can be a source of encouragement and support to others who are facing persecution or hardship, like the disciples who helped Saul escape in Acts 9:25?
- How can I balance the need to be bold and courageous in my faith with the need to be wise and prudent in the face of danger or opposition, as seen in Acts 9:23-25?
Gill's Exposition on Acts 9:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 9:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 9:23
Trapp's Commentary on Acts 9:23
Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 9:23
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 9:23
Cambridge Bible on Acts 9:23
Barnes' Notes on Acts 9:23
Whedon's Commentary on Acts 9:23
Sermons on Acts 9:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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My Personal Wilderness by Andrew Strom | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being watchful for the moment when God's promises will be fulfilled. They encourage listeners not to lose hope or give up i |
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The Heavenly Vision Part 3 by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that heavenly vision is not just something to see, but something to live. It is a calling from God that requires a response and action. The |
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Two Men Chiefs of Sinners Manasseh and Saul by Svend Christensen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Saul, who later became the apostle Paul. Saul was initially a persecutor of Christians, but he had a life-changing encounter wit |
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Silence and Solitude by Donald S. Whitney | Donald S. Whitney preaches on the importance of silence and solitude in the Christian life, drawing examples from Moses, the Apostle Paul, and Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the need |
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The Word of God Divides Between Soul and Spirit by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the critical distinction between the soul and spirit as outlined in Hebrews 4:12, illustrating how many Christians today operate from a soulish perspective ra |
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Proclaim What You Have Learned by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about how God often takes us into dark and challenging situations to reveal His secrets and truths to us. These moments of solitude and suffering are opp |
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The Surrendered Life by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. After encountering Jesus in a supernatural revelation, Saul is left blind and confuse |







