Acts 9:21

19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

20 Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”

All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

22 But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

23 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
KJV
But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
WEB
All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”
ASV
And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.
DARBY
And all who heard were astonished and said, Is not this *he* who destroyed in Jerusalem those who called on this name, and here was come for this purpose, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?
BLB
And all those hearing were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the one having ravaged those in Jerusalem calling on this name? And he had come here for this, so that he might bring them, having been bound, to the chief priests.”
ÅB
Og alle som hørte det, ble ute av seg selv av forundring og sa: Er ikke dette han som i Jerusalem utryddet dem som påkaller dette navn? og han var kommet hit for å føre dem bundne til yppersteprestene.
OTB
Alle som hørte ham ble forbløffet og sa: "Er ikke dette mannen som forårsaket ødeleggelse i Jerusalem blant dem som påkalte dette navnet, og har kommet hit for å føre dem bundet til yppersteprestene?"
B1930
Og alle som hørte det, blev ute av sig selv av forundring og sa: Er ikke dette han som i Jerusalem utryddet dem som påkaller dette navn? og han var kommet hit for å føre dem bundne til yppersteprestene.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 8:3

    But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

    Read in context
  • Acts 9:13–14

    But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

    Read in context
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:10

    on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 13:54–55

    Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.

    Read in context
  • Galatians 1:13–24

    For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.

    Read in context
  • Acts 2:12

    Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

    Read in context
  • Acts 3:10

    they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 71:7

    I have become a portent to many, but You are my strong refuge.

    Read in context