Acts 9:1

¶ And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

And {G1161} Saul {G4569}, yet {G2089} breathing out {G1709} threatenings {G547} and {G2532} slaughter {G5408} against {G1519} the disciples {G3101} of the Lord {G2962}, went {G4334} unto the high priest {G749},

Meanwhile, Sha’ul, still breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s talmidim, went to the cohen hagadol

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest

But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Acts 9:1 KJV introduces us to Saul of Tarsus at the height of his persecution against the nascent Christian church. This verse vividly portrays his intense zeal and violent intent before his radical conversion experience.

Context of Acts 9:1

At this point in the book of Acts, the Christian movement, initiated by Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, was rapidly spreading beyond Jerusalem. Saul, a devout Pharisee and a Roman citizen, considered this new "sect" a dangerous heresy that threatened traditional Judaism. His zeal for the Law led him to become a relentless persecutor of believers, even being present at the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, as recounted in Acts 7:58. This verse shows him actively seeking official authority from the high priest to extend his campaign of suppression to Damascus, where more disciples had fled or taken root.

Key Themes in Acts 9:1

  • Unrelenting Hostility: Saul's character is defined by his fierce opposition to the followers of Christ. The phrase "breathing out threatenings and slaughter" captures his profound and visceral hatred.
  • Pre-Conversion State: This verse serves as a powerful contrast to the dramatic transformation that is about to occur in Saul's life, setting the stage for one of the most significant conversions in biblical history.
  • Religious Zeal Misguided: Saul genuinely believed he was serving God by persecuting Christians, highlighting how religious fervor can be tragically misdirected without true understanding of God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "breathing out threatenings and slaughter" is empneon apeilēs kai phonou (ἐμπνέων ἀπειλῆς καὶ φόνου). This is a very strong idiom, suggesting that threats and murder were not just words or actions for Saul, but were so deeply ingrained in his being that he seemed to exhale them with every breath. It emphasizes the consuming nature of his animosity and his almost animalistic rage against the disciples of the Lord.

Related Scriptures

This verse is foundational to understanding the transformation of Saul into the Apostle Paul. His dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus immediately follows this scene, detailed in Acts 9:3-5. His subsequent life became a testament to God's transformative power, as he became the primary evangelist to the Gentiles, a role he describes in Romans 11:13.

Practical Application

Acts 9:1 reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Even the fiercest opponents of the Gospel can be transformed into its most ardent proponents. It encourages believers not to despair when facing opposition, but to trust in God's sovereign plan and His ability to change hearts. This verse also serves as a humble reminder that our zeal, however sincere, must always be guided by divine truth and love, lest we find ourselves opposing God rather than serving Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 8:3

    As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison.

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.

  • Galatians 1:13

    For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

  • Acts 9:11

    And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

  • Acts 9:21

    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?

  • Acts 7:58

    And cast [him] out of the city, and stoned [him]: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

  • Acts 22:3

    ¶ I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
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