Acts 22:16

KJV

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} now {G3568} why {G5101} tarriest thou {G3195}? arise {G450}, and be baptized {G907}, and {G2532} wash away {G628} thy {G4675} sins {G266}, calling on {G1941} the name {G3686} of the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, immerse yourself and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.’

Berean Standard Bible

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’

American Standard Version

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 22:16 captures Ananias's urgent directive to Saul (later Paul) in Damascus, immediately following his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ. This pivotal command calls Saul to cease hesitation, undergo baptism as a public declaration of his new faith, and, through an active invocation of the Lord's name, experience the spiritual reality of his sins being cleansed. It marks a decisive turning point, transitioning Saul from a persecutor of the church to a foundational apostle, emphasizing the necessity of immediate obedience and public identification with Christ for spiritual cleansing and new life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 22:16 is embedded within Paul's defense speech before a hostile Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, specifically recounting his conversion experience. This account is Paul's personal testimony, delivered to explain his radical shift from zealous Pharisee to fervent Christian apostle. It follows his arrest and the uproar caused by false accusations. Paul strategically uses his own dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus road, and Ananias's subsequent visit, to justify his ministry to the Gentiles. This particular verse represents the culmination of Ananias's divine instruction to Saul, immediately after his sight is restored and he is filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul's recounting of this event in his defense highlights its foundational significance for his call and subsequent mission, echoing the earlier narrative in [Acts 9:1-19](/acts/9-1-19 "Acts 9:1-19 - Saul's Conversion and Ananias's Visit") and his later testimony before King Agrippa in [Acts 26:12-18](/acts/26-12-18 "Paul's Defense Before Agrippa").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Saul's conversion occurred in the early decades of the Christian movement, a time of intense tension between nascent Christianity and traditional Judaism. Saul himself was a zealous Pharisee, trained under Gamaliel, and a persecutor of Christians, believing he was serving God by stamping out what he considered a heretical sect. Damascus was a significant city, a hub for trade and a place where a Jewish diaspora community, including early Christians, resided. For a devout Jew like Saul, baptism was not an unfamiliar concept, as proselyte baptism existed, and John the Baptist had popularized a baptism of repentance. However, Christian baptism, particularly one that identified with a crucified Messiah, was a radical departure. The command to "call on the name of the Lord" would have resonated with Old Testament calls to Yahweh, but here it is explicitly directed towards Jesus as Lord, a profound theological shift for Saul and a bold declaration in a monotheistic Jewish context.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **sovereignty of God in calling individuals** to Himself, even the most unlikely, like Saul, demonstrating that salvation is initiated by divine grace. Secondly, it highlights the **urgency of responding to God's call**, emphasizing that spiritual transformation demands immediate action and public commitment. Thirdly, it reveals the **significance of Christian baptism** as a public testimony of repentance and identification with Christ, symbolizing an inward spiritual cleansing and new life. Finally, the phrase "calling on the name of the Lord" points to the **centrality of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and forgiveness of sins**, a theme powerfully articulated by Peter in [Acts 2:21](/acts/2-21 "Acts 2:21 - Calling on the Name of the Lord for Salvation") and later developed by Paul himself in [Romans 10:9-13](/romans/10-9-13 "Romans 10:9-13 - Confession and Belief Lead to Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **tarriest thou (Greek, _méllō'_):** This word, meaning "to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something," is used here in the sense of hesitation or delay. Ananias's rhetorical question, "why tarriest thou?", conveys a divine impatience with Saul's inaction, urging an immediate and decisive response to the overwhelming truth he has just encountered. It implies that the time for reflection or procrastination is over; the moment for obedient action has arrived.
* **wash away (Greek, _apoloúō'_):** Derived from "apó" (from) and "loúō" (to wash), this verb literally means "to wash fully" or "to bathe." Here, it is used reflexively and figuratively to denote the spiritual cleansing and remission of sins. It signifies a complete purification, not by the physical act of baptism itself, but by the spiritual reality it symbolizes – the removal of guilt and defilement through faith and identification with Christ.
* **calling on (Greek, _epikaléomai'_):** This term, meaning "to entitle" or "to invoke," carries the sense of appealing to someone for aid, worship, or testimony. In this context, "calling on the name of the Lord" is an active, personal invocation of Jesus as the divine authority. It implies a public acknowledgment of His Lordship, a reliance on His power, and a surrender to His saving grace, which is the true means by which sins are remitted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now why tarriest thou?":** Ananias's opening is a rhetorical question that conveys urgency and divine impatience. Saul has experienced a profound encounter with the risen Christ, his sight has been restored, and he has received a divine commission. This question challenges any lingering hesitation or delay, emphasizing that the moment for decisive action and public commitment has arrived.
* **"arise, and be baptized,":** This is a direct, imperative command. "Arise" signifies a physical and spiritual readiness for action, a departure from his previous state. "Be baptized" refers to Christian baptism, a public ritual of immersion that symbolizes repentance, cleansing, and identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is the outward sign of an inward spiritual transformation.
* **"and wash away thy sins,":** This clause explains the spiritual effect symbolized by baptism. The washing away of sins is not achieved by the water itself, but by the atoning work of Christ applied through faith. Baptism serves as a visible representation of this spiritual cleansing, signifying forgiveness, justification, and purification from the guilt and power of sin.
* **"calling on the name of the Lord.":** This final phrase clarifies the essential means by which sins are truly washed away and salvation is received. To "call on the name of the Lord" means to invoke His authority, to acknowledge Him as Lord, and to place one's complete trust and reliance upon Him for salvation. It is an act of profound faith and submission that activates the saving power of Jesus Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 22:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question**, "And now why tarriest thou?", which serves not to elicit information but to underscore the pressing need for immediate action and to challenge any procrastination on Saul's part. This is followed by a series of commands in the **Imperative Mood** ("arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord"), which directly convey Ananias's authoritative and divinely mandated instructions, leaving no room for negotiation. The phrase "wash away thy sins" uses **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**, where the physical act of washing in baptism symbolizes the spiritual cleansing and remission of sins that occur through faith in Christ. It is a visual representation of an invisible spiritual reality. Finally, "calling on the name of the Lord" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "name" stands for the person, character, authority, and saving power of the Lord Jesus Himself, emphasizing that true salvation comes through a personal invocation and reliance upon Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 22:16 encapsulates a profound theological truth: salvation is a work of God that demands an immediate and public response from humanity. The command to "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" reveals that while baptism is a crucial act of obedience and public identification with Christ, it is the active invocation of Jesus's name—a demonstration of faith and surrender to His Lordship—that truly mediates the cleansing and forgiveness of sins. This verse underscores that Christian life begins with a decisive break from the past, symbolized by baptism, and is sustained by an ongoing, reliant relationship with the Lord, emphasizing that divine grace is met with human faith and obedience.

* [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Identification with Christ in Baptism")
* [1 Corinthians 6:11](/1_corinthians/6-11 "1 Corinthians 6:11 - Washed, Sanctified, Justified")
* [Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Salvation through Calling on the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 22:16 serves as a powerful reminder for believers across all generations that God's call demands an immediate and decisive response. Just as Saul was urged to cease tarrying, we too are called to shed procrastination when the Lord reveals His will or invites us to a deeper walk of faith. This verse emphasizes that true spiritual cleansing and the remission of sins are not achieved through mere ritual but through a living, active faith expressed by "calling on the name of the Lord." Baptism, then, becomes a vital public testimony—an outward declaration of an inward transformation, symbolizing our identification with Christ's death to sin and resurrection to new life. It is a step of obedience that confirms our commitment and allows us to fully embrace the new identity found in Christ. Our spiritual journey is not passive; it requires active engagement, public declaration, and continuous reliance on the Lord for our cleansing, guidance, and sustenance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be "tarrying" when God is calling you to immediate action or obedience?**
* **How does your baptism (or your understanding of it) serve as a public declaration of your identification with Christ and His work?**
* **What does it mean for you, practically, to "wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" in your daily life?**
* **How can you cultivate a more consistent posture of "calling on the name of the Lord" for guidance, strength, and cleansing?**

### FAQ
**Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation or that it literally washes away sins?**

Answer: Acts 22:16 does not teach that baptism is a meritorious work that earns salvation or that the water itself literally washes away sins. Rather, it presents baptism as a vital act of obedience and a public symbol of an inward spiritual reality. The phrase "wash away thy sins" is best understood metaphorically, where baptism symbolizes the cleansing and forgiveness that come through faith in Jesus Christ. The crucial element for the remission of sins is "calling on the name of the Lord," which signifies a personal invocation of Jesus, acknowledging His Lordship and relying on His atoning work. Baptism is the commanded outward expression and confirmation of this inward faith and the spiritual cleansing it brings. It is a public testimony to the transformation that has already begun through faith, not the cause of salvation itself. Other passages, like [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"), clarify that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 22:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the "Lord" upon whose name we call for salvation and cleansing. The urgency conveyed by "why tarriest thou?" points to the pressing reality of God's redemptive plan, fully realized in Christ's finished work on the cross. It is through His sacrificial death that the true "washing away" of sins occurs, as His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, making us pure before God ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by the Blood of Jesus")). Baptism, commanded in this verse, is a powerful symbol of our identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, signifying our spiritual union with Him and our participation in His new life ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Identification with Christ in Baptism")). Ultimately, to "call on the name of the Lord" is to acknowledge Jesus as the supreme Lord, the only one through whom salvation is found, fulfilling the prophetic declaration that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Salvation through Calling on the Lord") referencing [Joel 2:32](/joel/2-32 "Joel 2:32 - Call on the Name of the Lord")). Thus, Acts 22:16 powerfully directs us to Christ as the source of all spiritual cleansing, new life, and the object of our saving faith and obedience.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:21

And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Titus 3:5

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Peter 3:21

¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 12:13

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.