Acts 9:1

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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},

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 9:1 introduces Saul of Tarsus at the zenith of his furious persecution against the nascent Christian church, vividly portraying his intense zeal and violent intent. Fresh from witnessing the martyrdom of Stephen and actively participating in the suppression of believers in Jerusalem, Saul now extends his campaign beyond the city walls, seeking official authorization from the high priest to apprehend Christians in Damascus, demonstrating his relentless and visceral hostility towards the followers of "the Way."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the widespread persecution that erupted in Jerusalem after the martyrdom of Stephen, as recounted in [Acts 7:54-8:3](/acts/7-54-8-3 "The Stoning of Stephen and the Persecution of the Church"). Saul is explicitly introduced in [Acts 7:58](/acts/7-58 "Saul Approves of Stephen's Stoning") as a young man consenting to Stephen's death, and [Acts 8:3](/acts/8-3 "Saul Ravages the Church") describes his zealous efforts to "ravage the church," dragging men and women to prison. The scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria (and beyond, to places like Damascus) is a direct result of this persecution, yet it paradoxically serves God's purpose in spreading the Gospel, as seen in [Acts 8:4](/acts/8-4 "The Scattered Preach the Word"). Acts 9:1 thus sets the stage for the dramatic turning point in the book of Acts—Saul's conversion—by first emphasizing the extreme nature of his opposition, making his subsequent transformation all the more profound and miraculous.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the first century, the High Priest in Jerusalem, as the head of the Sanhedrin, held significant religious and some civil authority over Jewish communities not only in Judea but also in the Diaspora. While under Roman rule, Jewish religious affairs were largely self-governed, and the Sanhedrin could issue warrants or letters of extradition for Jews accused of religious offenses, even in cities like Damascus, which had a substantial Jewish population. Saul, as a zealous Pharisee, would have viewed the followers of Jesus as a dangerous sect that blasphemed God and undermined the Mosaic Law, making their suppression a religious duty. His actions reflect the intense internal conflict within Judaism regarding the claims of Jesus as Messiah, a conflict that often escalated into violent persecution against early Christians.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 9:1 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights the **intense opposition** faced by the early church, demonstrating that the spread of the Gospel was not without significant cost and resistance. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty**; even the most formidable human opposition, embodied by Saul, is ultimately subject to God's overarching plan for His church, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic interventions of God in human history. Thirdly, this verse serves as a stark portrayal of **misguided religious zeal**, showing how deep conviction, when not aligned with God's true will, can lead to profound error and persecution. Finally, it powerfully foreshadows the theme of **radical transformation**, preparing the reader for the astonishing conversion of this persecutor into the greatest apostle to the Gentiles, a testament to God's boundless grace and power to change hearts, as later articulated by Paul himself in [1 Timothy 1:12-16](/1_timothy/1-12-16 "Paul's Testimony of God's Mercy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **breathing out (Greek, _empnéō'_):** This vivid verb, used only here in the New Testament, literally means "to inhale" or "to breathe in," but here, in combination with "threatenings and slaughter," it takes on a figurative and intense meaning: "to breathe out," "to be animated by," or "to be consumed with." It suggests that threats and murder were not merely actions Saul performed, but were so deeply ingrained in his very being that they seemed to emanate from him with every breath, signifying a visceral, consuming rage and an almost animalistic ferocity.
* **threatenings (Greek, _apeilḗ'_):** This noun refers to a menace or a threat, indicating Saul's verbal and implied intentions of harm against the disciples. It speaks to the terror he instilled, not just through physical violence but also through his intimidating presence and explicit warnings of severe consequences for those who followed Christ.
* **slaughter (Greek, _phónos'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to slay," this word explicitly means "murder" or "slaughter." This term reveals the ultimate and most extreme intent of Saul's "breathing out." It signifies that his hostility was not merely about intimidation or imprisonment, but extended to a willingness, and perhaps even a desire, for the death of Christians, underscoring the lethal danger he posed to the early church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,"**: This opening clause immediately reintroduces Saul, emphasizing his continued and intense hostility ("yet breathing out"). The phrase "breathing out threatenings and slaughter" is a powerful idiom, depicting his overwhelming and visceral animosity. It suggests that his very essence was consumed by a desire to persecute and destroy. The targets of his fury are explicitly identified as "the disciples of the Lord," highlighting that his opposition was fundamentally against Jesus Christ and His followers, not merely a general antagonism.
* **"went unto the high priest,"**: This second clause reveals Saul's deliberate and authorized approach to his persecution. By going to the high priest, Saul sought and received official religious sanction and authority to extend his campaign beyond Jerusalem. This action underscores his commitment to eradicating "the Way" and his belief that he was acting in accordance with divine law, even as he was opposing the true God. It also sets the immediate geographical context for the next dramatic event: his journey to Damascus.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several powerful **literary devices** in Acts 9:1 to vividly portray Saul's character and set the stage for his conversion. The most prominent is **hyperbole** and **vivid imagery** in the phrase "breathing out threatenings and slaughter." This is not meant to be taken literally, but rather to exaggerate the intensity and consuming nature of Saul's rage and murderous intent. It creates a striking mental picture of a man so filled with animosity that it seems to emanate from his very being, like a noxious breath. This **imagery** serves to underscore the profound depth of his opposition to Christ and His followers. Furthermore, the verse functions as a crucial piece of **foreshadowing**, building dramatic tension before the pivotal encounter on the road to Damascus. By presenting Saul in such a state of extreme hostility, Luke magnifies the miraculous nature of his impending transformation, making God's power and grace all the more evident.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 9:1 presents a profound theological paradox: a man utterly consumed by hatred for God's people, believing he is serving God, yet standing on the precipice of a divine encounter that will utterly transform him. This highlights the sovereignty of God, who can intervene in the most hardened hearts and redirect the most misguided zeal for His purposes. It underscores that no one is beyond the reach of His transformative grace, and that even the fiercest opposition can be turned into a powerful testimony to His redemptive power. This verse also implicitly contrasts human zeal, however fervent, with divine truth, showing that genuine service to God must be rooted in a true understanding of His will and character, as revealed in Jesus Christ.

* [Philippians 3:4-6](/philippians/3-4-6 "Paul's Former Zeal as a Pharisee")
* [1 Timothy 1:12-16](/1_timothy/1-12-16 "Paul's Testimony of God's Mercy and Grace")
* [Galatians 1:13-14](/galatians/1-13-14 "Paul's Persecution of the Church")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 9:1 offers a powerful reminder that the human heart, even when driven by sincere religious conviction, can be tragically misguided and capable of great harm when not aligned with God's truth and love. Saul's story challenges us to examine our own zeal: Is it truly for God's glory, or is it tainted by self-righteousness, prejudice, or a lack of understanding? This verse also provides immense hope, demonstrating that no individual is beyond the transformative power of God's grace. If God could turn Saul, the chief persecutor, into Paul, the chief apostle, then there is hope for anyone, no matter how vehemently they oppose the Gospel. We are called to pray for those who persecute, to trust in God's sovereign ability to change hearts, and to remember that His ways are higher than our ways, often working through unexpected means to accomplish His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own zeal, however well-intentioned, be misdirected or lack true understanding of God's heart?**
* **How does Saul's initial character in Acts 9:1 challenge my assumptions about who God can use or transform?**
* **What does this verse teach me about responding to opposition or persecution, both personally and as a church?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that prays for those who oppose the Gospel, trusting in God's power to change them?**

### FAQ

**What was Saul's primary motivation for persecuting Christians?**

Answer: Saul's primary motivation stemmed from his zealous commitment to Judaism and the Mosaic Law, as he understood it. As a devout Pharisee, he genuinely believed that the followers of Jesus, who claimed Jesus was the Messiah and God, were blaspheming God and corrupting the purity of Jewish faith and tradition. He saw "the Way" as a dangerous heresy that needed to be stamped out to protect the integrity of Judaism. His actions were driven by a profound religious conviction, albeit one that was tragically misguided without a true understanding of God's redemptive plan in Christ. He later reflected on this zeal in [Philippians 3:6](/philippians/3-6 "Paul's Blamelessness Under the Law").

**Did the High Priest have authority to issue warrants for arrests outside of Jerusalem, specifically in Damascus?**

Answer: Yes, the High Priest, as the head of the Sanhedrin, held significant religious and some civil authority over Jewish communities, not only within Judea but also in the Jewish Diaspora. While under Roman rule, the Romans generally allowed Jewish leaders to manage their internal religious affairs. This included the ability to issue letters or warrants to Jewish synagogues in other cities, like Damascus, which had a large Jewish population. These letters would authorize local Jewish leaders to apprehend individuals accused of religious offenses (like apostasy or blasphemy) and send them back to Jerusalem for trial by the Sanhedrin. This practice is consistent with the authority granted to the Sanhedrin in various historical accounts of the period.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 9:1, depicting Saul's furious opposition to the early church, serves as a powerful backdrop for understanding the radical and transformative power of Christ. Saul, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter," represents the epitome of humanity's rebellion against God, yet it is precisely this hardened heart that Christ sovereignly intercepts and redeems. His conversion on the road to Damascus, immediately following this verse, is not merely a change of mind but a profound encounter with the risen Lord Jesus, who is the true High Priest and King. Christ's intervention demonstrates His authority over all creation, even over those who vehemently oppose Him, and His boundless grace to turn an enemy into a fervent apostle. This divine act of grace foreshadows the New Covenant reality where Christ, through His atoning work on the cross and the power of His Spirit, transforms hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, making new creations out of those who were once His adversaries ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")). Saul's subsequent life as Paul, tirelessly proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles, becomes a living testament to the truth that Christ's redemptive work is comprehensive, able to reconcile even the most unlikely individuals to God and enlist them in His glorious mission ([Ephesians 2:1-10](/ephesians/2-1-10 "God's Grace in Salvation")). Thus, Acts 9:1, far from being a mere historical detail, magnifies the glory of Christ as the one who conquers sin, transforms lives, and builds His church through the power of His resurrection and the outpouring of His Spirit ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "The Church Built on the Rock")).

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 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.