Acts 9:17
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Original Language Analysis
Ἀπῆλθεν
went his way
G565
Ἀπῆλθεν
went his way
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
1 of 36
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 36
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίαν
the house
G3614
οἰκίαν
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
8 of 36
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπ'
on
G1909
ἐπ'
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 36
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 36
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
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
his hands
G5495
χεῖρας
his hands
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
14 of 36
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
ἀδελφέ
Brother
G80
ἀδελφέ
Brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
17 of 36
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
19 of 36
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἀπέσταλκέν
hath sent
G649
ἀπέσταλκέν
hath sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
20 of 36
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
Ἰησοῦς
even Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
even Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
22 of 36
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθείς
that appeared
G3700
ὀφθείς
that appeared
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
24 of 36
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁδῷ
the way
G3598
ὁδῷ
the way
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
28 of 36
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
ᾗ
as
G3739
ᾗ
as
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
29 of 36
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἤρχου
thou camest
G2064
ἤρχου
thou camest
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
30 of 36
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὅπως
that
G3704
ὅπως
that
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
31 of 36
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
ἀναβλέψῃς
thou mightest receive thy sight
G308
ἀναβλέψῃς
thou mightest receive thy sight
Strong's:
G308
Word #:
32 of 36
to look up; by implication, to recover sight
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
33 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πλησθῇς
be filled with
G4130
πλησθῇς
be filled with
Strong's:
G4130
Word #:
34 of 36
to "fill" (literally or figuratively (imbue, influence, supply)); specially, to fulfil (time)
Cross References
Acts 8:17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.Acts 6:6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.Acts 13:52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.1 Timothy 5:22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Historical Context
Three days after Saul's Damascus Road encounter (AD 34-35), Ananias received vision-directed instructions to find him at Judas' house on Straight Street. Ananias' obedience enabled Saul's baptism and Spirit-filling, launching history's greatest missionary.
Questions for Reflection
- How can Christians overcome fear to minister to unlikely or dangerous people when God calls?
- What does Ananias' role in Saul's conversion teach about ordinary believers' importance in God's plans?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Ananias' obedient visit to Saul demonstrates remarkable faith overcoming legitimate fear—the Lord commanded him to minister to Christianity's chief persecutor. Addressing Saul as 'brother' immediately includes him in the believing community despite his past. This encounter shows God uses ordinary believers, not just apostles, for strategic ministry.