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,
Original Language Analysis
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
3 of 24
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
πρὸς
said unto
G4314
πρὸς
said unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 24
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,
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 24
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
Ἀναστὰς
Arise
G450
Ἀναστὰς
Arise
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
6 of 24
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
πορεύθητι
and go
G4198
πορεύθητι
and go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
7 of 24
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ἐπὶ
into
G1909
ἐπὶ
into
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλουμένην
is called
G2564
καλουμένην
is called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
12 of 24
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
Εὐθεῖαν
Straight
G2117
Εὐθεῖαν
Straight
Strong's:
G2117
Word #:
13 of 24
straight, i.e., (literally) level, or (figuratively) true; adverbially (of time) at once
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ζήτησον
enquire
G2212
ζήτησον
enquire
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
15 of 24
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
οἰκίᾳ
the house
G3614
οἰκίᾳ
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
Ἰούδα
of Judas
G2455
Ἰούδα
of Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
18 of 24
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
ὀνόματι
for one called
G3686
ὀνόματι
for one called
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
20 of 24
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Cross References
Acts 21:39But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.Acts 22:3I 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.Acts 9:30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.Acts 11:25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:Acts 11:13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
Historical Context
Tarsus was a major city in Cilicia (modern Turkey), a center of learning and commerce. Saul's identity as 'of Tarsus' marked him as a Roman citizen from a significant city, which would prove providential in his ministry (Acts 22:25-29).
Questions for Reflection
- Why is prayer a mark of genuine conversion and spiritual life?
- How does God's knowledge of Saul's exact location and activities demonstrate His omniscience?
- What does the detail of these instructions teach about God's sovereign orchestration?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Lord gave Ananias specific instructions: go to Straight Street, to Judas' house, and ask for 'Saul of Tarsus.' The specificity shows God's omniscience - knowing exactly where Saul was. The phrase 'for, behold, he prayeth' marks a significant change - the persecutor now prays! Prayer evidences new spiritual life; Saul's prayers demonstrated his regeneration. Reformed theology emphasizes that effectual calling produces prayer - the regenerate heart naturally cries out to God (Romans 8:15). Saul's prayer life began at conversion and would characterize his entire ministry.