Acts 9:25

KJV

Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} the disciples {G3101} took {G2983} him {G846} by night {G3571}, and let him down {G2524}{G5465} by {G1223} the wall {G5038} in {G1722} a basket {G4711}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but under cover of night, his talmidim took him and let him down over the city wall, lowering him in a large basket.

Berean Standard Bible

One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

American Standard Version

but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 9:25 recounts a pivotal moment in the early ministry of Saul (later Paul), detailing his dramatic escape from Damascus. After his profound conversion and subsequent bold proclamation of Jesus as the Son of God, Jewish leaders in Damascus plotted to assassinate him. In response, a group of disciples, demonstrating remarkable solidarity and courage, facilitated Saul's clandestine departure by lowering him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall under the cover of night, thereby preserving his life for his future apostolic mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus, as detailed in [Acts 9:1-19](/acts/9-1-19 "Acts 9:1-19 - The Conversion of Saul"). Having been transformed from a zealous persecutor of Christians into a fervent evangelist, Saul immediately began proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah in the synagogues of Damascus. This sudden and powerful turnaround astonished many but also provoked intense opposition from the very Jewish authorities who had initially commissioned him to arrest believers. The narrative builds to a climax where a plot is uncovered to kill Saul ([Acts 9:23-24](/acts/9-23-24 "Acts 9:23-24 - The Plot Against Saul")), making his escape in [Acts 9:25](/acts/9-25 "Acts 9:25 - Saul's Escape from Damascus") a necessary and urgent act of preservation. This event marks the end of his initial ministry phase in Damascus before his journey to Jerusalem.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Damascus was a significant city in the Roman province of Syria, known for its large and influential Jewish population. City walls were a standard defensive feature of ancient cities, with gates serving as the primary points of entry and exit, typically heavily guarded, especially at night. The plot against Saul, involving the guarding of gates, indicates the seriousness of the threat and the widespread animosity toward his new message. The method of escape—being lowered in a basket—suggests that all conventional exits were blocked, necessitating a clandestine and undignified means. This act highlights the precarious and often dangerous environment in which the early church operated, where conversion to Christianity could lead to immediate and severe persecution, often from former religious allies.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 9:25](/acts/9-25 "Acts 9:25 - Saul's Escape from Damascus") powerfully illustrates several recurring themes within the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Protection and Providence**, showcasing God's sovereign hand in preserving His chosen instruments for their appointed tasks, even amidst grave danger. Saul's life was spared to fulfill his unique calling as the apostle to the Gentiles, echoing God's faithfulness in delivering His servants, as seen in [Psalm 34:19](/psalm/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Deliverance from Afflictions"). Secondly, the actions of "the disciples" exemplify **Brotherly Solidarity and Community Support**. The believers in Damascus risked their own safety to protect Saul, demonstrating the practical love and unity that characterized the early church and should mark all genuine disciples, as Jesus commanded in [John 13:35](/john/13-35 "John 13:35 - Love as a Mark of Discipleship"). Finally, for Saul, a man of considerable status and intellectual prowess, being lowered in a basket was an act of profound **Humility and Dependence**, a stark contrast to his former authoritative position. This humbling experience foreshadows the consistent theme in Paul's later epistles regarding his weakness and reliance on God's strength, a narrative he himself corroborates in [2 Corinthians 11:32-33](/2_corinthians/11-32-33 "2 Corinthians 11:32-33 - Paul's Account of His Escape from Damascus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to learn," this term signifies a learner or pupil. In the context of the New Testament, "disciples" refers to followers of Jesus Christ. Here, it specifically denotes the believers in Damascus who had embraced the Christian faith, demonstrating their commitment and solidarity by aiding Saul, a new convert, in his escape. Their action embodies the practical outworking of Christian community.
* **took (Greek, _lambánō'_):** This verb implies an active, objective taking or getting hold of something. It suggests a deliberate and purposeful action by the disciples to seize or secure Saul, not merely a passive reception. The urgency of the situation is conveyed through this active verb, indicating that the disciples took decisive measures to ensure Saul's safety.
* **basket (Greek, _spyrís'_):** This term refers to a large, flexible container, often made of woven material, typically used for provisions or carrying large quantities. It is distinct from smaller "baskets" (κοφίνος, _kophinos_) mentioned in other feeding miracles. The use of a _spyrís_ here implies a container large enough to hold a person, emphasizing the undignified yet practical and necessary nature of Saul's escape. Its size also suggests a clandestine operation, as such a large object would not typically pass unnoticed through a city gate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the disciples took him by night,"**: This phrase establishes the agents of the action—"the disciples," referring to the new believers in Damascus who had embraced Saul despite his notorious past. Their decision to "take him" implies a deliberate and protective act, acknowledging the grave danger Saul faced. The timing, "by night," underscores the clandestine and urgent nature of the escape, as the city gates would be less guarded or the cover of darkness would provide concealment from those plotting against him.
* **"and let [him] down by the wall in a basket."**: This clause details the specific method of escape. "Let him down" suggests a controlled descent, likely from an opening or window in the city wall, bypassing the guarded gates. The instrument, "in a basket," highlights the humility and vulnerability of Saul's position, a stark contrast to his former authority. This undignified but effective means was essential for his survival, demonstrating the lengths to which the disciples went to protect him and God's use of ordinary means for extraordinary purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Saul's escape in [Acts 9:25](/acts/9-25 "Acts 9:25 - Saul's Escape from Damascus") employs several significant literary devices. There is a strong element of **Irony**, as Saul, who once entered Damascus with authority to arrest Christians, now flees the city as a vulnerable fugitive, dependent on the very people he once persecuted. This reversal highlights the transformative power of his conversion. **Symbolism** is evident in the act of being lowered in a basket; it represents Saul's profound humility and dependence on both God and the Christian community, a stark departure from his former self-reliance and pride. This undignified descent foreshadows the self-emptying nature of Paul's future ministry, where he would often boast in his weaknesses. The narrative also functions as **Dramatic Narrative**, heightening the tension and urgency of the situation, emphasizing the immediate and life-threatening consequences of Saul's bold proclamation of the Gospel. Finally, the event serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the numerous dangers and escapes Paul would experience throughout his apostolic journeys, consistently relying on God's protection and the support of the churches he established.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 9:25 is a profound testament to God's sovereign protection over His chosen servants and the vital role of Christian community in supporting those called to ministry. Despite the immediate and intense opposition Saul faced after his conversion, God ensured his survival through the courageous actions of the Damascus disciples. This event underscores that God's plans are not thwarted by human hostility, and He often uses humble and unexpected means to preserve His instruments. It also powerfully illustrates the nascent church's commitment to mutual care and solidarity, demonstrating that the bond of Christ transcends past animosities and personal risk. The vulnerability of Saul's escape also speaks to the humility required in service, reminding us that even the most gifted leaders are utterly dependent on God and the body of Christ.

* [Psalm 34:19](/psalm/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.")
* [John 13:35](/john/13-35 "John 13:35 - By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.")
* [2 Corinthians 11:32-33](/2_corinthians/11-32-33 "2 Corinthians 11:32-33 - Paul recounts his escape from Damascus.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic escape of Saul from Damascus offers several profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that commitment to Christ and bold proclamation of the Gospel can often invite opposition and danger, but God's protection is real, even if it comes through unconventional or seemingly undignified means. We are called to trust in His providence, recognizing that His ways are not always our ways, and His deliverance may not always look like a grand miracle, but rather a simple basket and a helping hand. Secondly, this passage powerfully highlights the indispensable nature of Christian community. The disciples in Damascus did not abandon Saul in his peril; instead, they risked their own safety to ensure his. This challenges us to consider how we are actively supporting, protecting, and standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those facing persecution or hardship. Finally, Saul's humbling descent in a basket serves as a potent reminder that true service to God often requires embracing humility and dependence. It calls us to lay aside pride, accept help from others, and acknowledge our vulnerability, just as Christ himself emptied himself for our sake.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the story of Saul's escape challenge my preconceived notions about how God protects His servants?**
* **In what practical ways can I better embody the solidarity and courage shown by the Damascus disciples in my own Christian community?**
* **Where might God be calling me to embrace a position of humility or dependence, even if it feels undignified, for the sake of His purposes?**
* **What "baskets" or unconventional means has God used in my life or the lives of those I know to bring about protection or deliverance?**

### FAQ
**Why was Saul lowered in a basket?**

Answer: Saul was lowered in a basket to escape a plot by Jewish leaders in Damascus who sought to kill him because of his bold proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah. The city gates were being guarded day and night ([Acts 9:24](/acts/9-24 "Acts 9:24 - The Plot to Kill Saul")), making a conventional exit impossible. Being lowered in a large basket through an opening in the city wall was a clandestine and necessary method to bypass the guards and ensure his survival, allowing him to continue his vital ministry.

**Who were "the disciples" who helped Saul escape?**

Answer: "The disciples" refers to the new believers in Damascus who had accepted Saul after his dramatic conversion. Despite Saul's notorious past as a persecutor of Christians, these disciples demonstrated remarkable Christian love, courage, and solidarity by risking their own safety to protect him. Their actions exemplify the strong communal bonds and mutual support characteristic of the early church.

**Is this event mentioned anywhere else in the Bible?**

Answer: Yes, Saul himself (now known as Paul) recounts this very escape later in his ministry in his letter to the Corinthians. In [2 Corinthians 11:32-33](/2_corinthians/11-32-33 "2 Corinthians 11:32-33 - Paul's Account of His Escape from Damascus"), Paul mentions, "In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands." This corroboration from Paul's own testimony validates the historical accuracy and significance of the event described in Acts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic escape of Saul in a basket, while a testament to human ingenuity and communal solidarity, ultimately points to a deeper Christ-centered fulfillment. Saul's vulnerability, being lowered in an undignified manner, strikingly mirrors the profound humility and self-emptying of Christ. Just as Saul, the future apostle to the Gentiles, had to be "let down" to begin his mission, so too did Christ, the Son of God, "empty himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). His incarnation was the ultimate "descent," a humbling act of divine condescension to save humanity. Furthermore, Saul's escape from a plot to kill him foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over the powers of death and darkness. Christ's own life was marked by plots and attempts on His life, culminating in His crucifixion. Yet, His resurrection from the grave ([Matthew 28:1-10](/matthew/28-1-10 "Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection of Jesus")) ensures that the mission of His church, embodied by figures like Paul, cannot ultimately be thwarted. The God who protected Saul in a basket is the same God who raised Christ from the dead, guaranteeing the preservation and triumph of His kingdom. Thus, Saul's escape is not merely a historical anecdote but a vivid illustration of God's sovereign power to protect His purposes and His people, a power ultimately demonstrated and secured through the finished work of Jesus Christ, who promised that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against" His church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church's Foundation")).

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

Joshua 2:15

Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house [was] upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

2 Corinthians 11:33

And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

1 Samuel 19:11

¶ Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

1 Samuel 19:12

So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.