Acts 9:6

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And {G5037} he trembling {G5141} and {G2532} astonished {G2284} said {G2036}, Lord {G2962}, what {G5101} wilt thou have {G2309} me {G3165} to do {G4160}? And {G2532} the Lord {G2962} said unto {G4314} him {G846}, Arise {G450}, and {G2532} go {G1525} into {G1519} the city {G4172}, and {G2532} it shall be told {G2980} thee {G4671} what {G5101} thou {G4571} must {G1163} do {G4160}.

But get up, and go into the city, and you will be told what you have to do.”

“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Commentary

Acts 9:6 records a pivotal moment in the dramatic conversion of Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul. This verse captures his immediate, trembling response to the divine encounter on the road to Damascus, marking a profound shift from persecutor to humble servant.

Context of Acts 9:6

Prior to this encounter, Saul was a zealous Pharisee, fiercely dedicated to persecuting followers of "the Way" (as Christians were called). He had been present at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1) and was on a mission to Damascus to arrest more believers when he was suddenly enveloped by a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:3-5). This verse, Acts 9:6, presents his immediate, bewildered, and submissive reaction to that overwhelming revelation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Revelation and Humility: Saul, who once breathed "threatenings and slaughter" against believers, is utterly humbled by the direct confrontation with the resurrected Christ. His question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?", signifies a complete surrender of his will and a recognition of Jesus' supreme authority. It's a fundamental shift from defiance to devotion.
  • God's Sovereign Guidance: Despite Saul's initial blindness and confusion, God immediately gives him clear, immediate instructions: "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." This highlights God's purposeful plan for Saul's life, even when the full scope of that plan is not yet revealed (Acts 9:15-16).
  • The Nature of True Conversion: This verse encapsulates the essence of genuine conversion: a profound encounter with Christ that leads to repentance, submission, and a desire to obey His will. Saul's transformation is one of the most dramatic examples in the Bible.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "trembling and astonished" vividly conveys Saul's state. The Greek words used (entromos and ekthambos) suggest a combination of deep fear, terror, and overwhelming amazement. This was not merely surprise, but a profound, soul-shaking experience that shattered his previous worldview. His use of "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) is also significant; it is a title of respect and authority, indicating that Saul now recognized the divine power and sovereignty of the one he had been persecuting.

Practical Application

Acts 9:6 offers timeless lessons for every believer:

  • Humble Submission: Like Saul, we are called to humble ourselves before God's truth and sovereignty. When confronted by His word or Spirit, our proper response is not to argue or resist, but to ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"
  • Obedience to Immediate Guidance: God often reveals His will step by step. We may not see the entire path, but faithfulness involves obeying the immediate instructions He gives. Saul was simply told to "go into the city," trusting that further direction would come.
  • Transformation through Encounter: This verse reminds us that genuine spiritual transformation begins with a personal encounter with Christ, leading to a life of renewed purpose and obedience. No one is beyond God's grace or His call.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
3 Key Turning Points in the Book of Acts An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church The Conversion of Saul on the Road to Damascus Paul's Defense Before King Agrippa Paul (Saul of Tarsus): From Persecutor to Apostle to the Gentiles

Cross-References

  • Acts 22:10

    And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

  • Acts 26:16

    But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

  • 1 Timothy 1:14

    And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Timothy 1:16

    Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

  • Romans 10:3

    For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

  • Romans 9:15

    For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

  • Romans 9:24

    Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
← Back