Acts Chapter 9 · Verse 10
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
Original Language Analysis
ὀνόματι
named
G3686
ὀνόματι
named
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
7 of 23
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 of 23
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριε
am here Lord
G2962
κύριε
am here Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
14 of 23
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὁράματι
a vision
G3705
ὁράματι
a vision
Strong's:
G3705
Word #:
16 of 23
something gazed at, i.e., a spectacle (especially supernatural)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.Acts 10:3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.Acts 22:12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,Genesis 22:1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.Exodus 3:4And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.Genesis 31:11And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.1 Samuel 3:4That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.2 Samuel 15:26But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
Historical Context
Ananias is described as 'a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews' (Acts 22:12), suggesting a Jewish Christian well-respected in Damascus. His role in Saul's conversion shows God uses available instruments, not necessarily prominent leaders.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's call of Ananias encourage ordinary believers to obey extraordinary callings?
- What does Ananias' response teach about readiness to serve God?
- Why does God prepare both parties when orchestrating divine appointments?
Analysis & Commentary
The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision, calling him by name - demonstrating God's personal knowledge of His servants. Ananias' response 'Behold, I am here, Lord' echoes the response of faithful servants throughout Scripture (Abraham, Moses, Samuel). God was orchestrating the meeting between Ananias and Saul, preparing both through visions. From a Reformed perspective, this shows God's sovereignty in using ordinary believers (Ananias was a disciple, not an apostle) to accomplish His purposes. The Lord's detailed instructions would overcome Ananias' natural fear.