Acts 9:1
New International Version
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest

New Living Translation
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.

English Standard Version
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

Berean Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest

Berean Literal Bible
Meanwhile, Saul still breathing out threats and murder toward the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the high priest,

King James Bible
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

New King James Version
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

New American Standard Bible
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

NASB 1995
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

NASB 1977
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

Amplified Bible
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the high priest,

Christian Standard Bible
Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest

American Standard Version
But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Contemporary English Version
Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord's followers. He even went to the high priest

English Revised Version
But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul kept threatening to murder the Lord's disciples. He went to the chief priest

Good News Translation
In the meantime Saul kept up his violent threats of murder against the followers of the Lord. He went to the High Priest

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, still spewing death threats against the Lord's disciples, Saul went to the high priest.

Majority Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest

NET Bible
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats to murder the Lord's disciples, went to the high priest

New Heart English Bible
But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

Weymouth New Testament
Now Saul, whose every breath was a threat of destruction for the disciples of the Lord,

World English Bible
But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul, yet breathing of threatening and slaughter to the disciples of the LORD, having gone to the chief priest,

Berean Literal Bible
Meanwhile, Saul still breathing out threats and murder toward the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the high priest,

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul, yet breathing of threatening and slaughter to the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the chief priest,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and murder against the disciples of the Lord, having come to the chief priest,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
AND Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

New American Bible
Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

New Revised Standard Version
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW Saul was still filled with anger and with threats of murder against the disciples of our LORD,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Shaul was full of menace and the fury of murder against the disciples of Our Lord.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Saul, still breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the chief priest,

Godbey New Testament
But Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, having come to the high priest,

Haweis New Testament
BUT Saul, still breathing out threatenings and murder against the disciples of the Lord, applying to the high-priest,

Mace New Testament
Saul still breathing out nothing but threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,

Weymouth New Testament
Now Saul, whose every breath was a threat of destruction for the disciples of the Lord,

Worrell New Testament
And Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, going to the high priest,

Worsley New Testament
But Saul still breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came to the high priest, and desired of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Road to Damascus
1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest 2and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.…

Cross References
Acts 8:3
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 22:4-5
I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison, / as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.

Acts 26:9-11
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Galatians 1:13
For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.

1 Timothy 1:13
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

Philippians 3:6
as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

John 16:2
They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

Matthew 10:17
But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.

Luke 21:12
But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors.

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Acts 7:58
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Acts 22:19-20
‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. / And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

Acts 6:13-14
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 26:14
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

Acts 22:7-8
I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ / ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

Cir A.

Acts 9:11-13,19-21
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, …

Acts 7:58
And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Acts 8:3
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

breathing.

Psalm 27:12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

Jump to Previous
Breath Breathing Chief Death Desire Destruction Disciples High Lord's Meanwhile Murder Murderous Priest Saul Slaughter Threat Threatening Threatenings Threats
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Breath Breathing Chief Death Desire Destruction Disciples High Lord's Meanwhile Murder Murderous Priest Saul Slaughter Threat Threatening Threatenings Threats
Acts 9
1. Saul, going toward Damascus, is stricken down to the earth,
8. and led blind to Damascus;
10. is called to the apostleship;
18. and is baptized by Ananias.
20. He preaches Christ boldly.
23. The Jews lay wait to kill him;
29. so do the Grecians, but he escapes both.
31. The church having rest, Peter heals Aeneas;
36. and restores Tabitha to life.














Meanwhile
This word serves as a transitional marker, indicating that the events described are occurring concurrently with other significant developments in the early church. The Greek word "Ἔτι" (eti) suggests continuity and persistence. It highlights the ongoing nature of Saul's actions, emphasizing that his persecution of Christians was not a momentary lapse but a sustained campaign. Historically, this period was marked by intense persecution of Christians, as the early church faced opposition from both Jewish and Roman authorities.

Saul
Saul, later known as Paul, is a pivotal figure in the New Testament. His Hebrew name, "שָׁאוּל" (Sha'ul), means "asked for" or "prayed for." Saul was a Pharisee, well-versed in Jewish law, and zealous for the traditions of his ancestors. His background as a Roman citizen and a Jew from Tarsus provided him with a unique perspective and influence. Saul's initial role as a persecutor of Christians underscores the dramatic transformation he would undergo, becoming one of the most influential apostles of Christ.

was still breathing out
The phrase "breathing out" is translated from the Greek word "ἐμπνέων" (empneōn), which conveys the idea of exhaling or emitting. This vivid imagery suggests that threats and violence were as natural to Saul as breathing. It indicates the depth of his animosity and the intensity of his efforts to eradicate the followers of Jesus. This relentless pursuit of Christians reflects the broader hostility faced by the early church and sets the stage for Saul's radical conversion.

threats and murder
The combination of "threats" and "murder" highlights the severity of Saul's actions. The Greek words "ἀπειλῆς" (apeilēs) and "φόνου" (phonou) suggest not only verbal intimidation but also the intent and execution of lethal violence. Saul's persecution was not limited to mere words; it involved active participation in the arrest and execution of Christians. This underscores the perilous environment for early believers and the high cost of discipleship during this period.

against the disciples of the Lord
The term "disciples" refers to the followers of Jesus, those who adhered to His teachings and sought to live according to His example. The Greek word "μαθητῶν" (mathētōn) implies learners or students, emphasizing their commitment to spiritual growth and understanding. The phrase "of the Lord" identifies these disciples as belonging to Jesus, acknowledging His authority and divinity. This allegiance to Christ set them apart and made them targets of persecution, as they challenged the religious and social norms of their time.

IX.

(1) Yet breathing out threatenings.--The "yet" implies a considerable interval since the death of Stephen, probably coinciding with the time occupied by the mission-work of Philip in the previous chapter. During this interval the persecution had probably been continuing. The Greek participle, literally, breathing-in, is somewhat more emphatic than the English. He lived, as it were, in an atmosphere of threats and slaughter. It was the very air he breathed. Patristic writers and their followers have not unnaturally seen a half-prophetic parallelism between the language of Jacob, "Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil" (Genesis 49:27), and this description of one who gloried in being of that tribe (Philippians 3:5), and bore the name of its great hero-king.

Went unto the high priest.--It will be remembered that the high priest (whether we suppose Annas or Caiaphas to be meant) was a Sadducee, and that Saul gloried in being a Pharisee of the straitest sect (Acts 26:5). The temper of the persecutor, however, does not shrink from strange companionship, and the coalition which had been formed against our Lord (Matthew 26:3) was renewed against His followers. If, as is probable, the admission of the Samaritans to the new community had become known at Jerusalem, it would naturally tend to intensify their hatred. It would seem to them as if the accursed people were now allied with the Galileans against the Holy Place, and those who were zealous for its honour.

Verse 1. - But for and, A.V.; breathing for breathing out, A.V.; threatening for threatenings, A.V. Threatening and slaughter. The phrase ἐμπνέων ἀπειλῆς κ.τ.λ., is rather a difficult one, and is variously explained. Schleusner takes the genitives in "threatening and slaughter" as genitives of the thing desired, "punting after threatening and slaughter" (comp. Amos 2:7). Meyer explains it "out of the threatenings and murder [in his heart] breathing hard at the disciples" - an expression indicating passion. Alford, taking nearly the sense of the A.V., makes "threatenings and slaughter" to be as it were the very material of his breath, whether breathed out or breathed in. Considering that ἐμπνέω means "to breathe in," as distinguished from ἐκπνέω, "to breathe out," and that these two are opposed to each other in Hippocrates (see Schleusner), the A.V. breathing out cannot be justified; nor is it likely that "Luke the physician" would forget the distinction. The difficulty is to explain the genitive case of "threatenings" and "slaughter." The high priest; probably the same person who is so described in Acts 7:1 (where see note). If the year with which we are now dealing was the year A.D. , Caiaphas was high priest. But Alford, Lewin, Farrar, and others place Saul's conversion in A.D. , when Theophilus, son of Annas or Ananus, was high priest (Chronicles Table in Alford's 'Proleg. to Acts').

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Meanwhile,
Δὲ (De)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Saul
Σαῦλος (Saulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4569: Saul, the apostle. Of Hebrew origin, the same as Saoul; Saulus, the Jewish name of Paul.

{was} still
ἔτι (eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.

breathing out
ἐμπνέων (empneōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1709: To breathe, breathe into, inhale. From en and pneo; to inhale, i.e. to be animated by.

threats
ἀπειλῆς (apeilēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 547: A threatening, threat. From apeileo; a menace.

of murder
φόνου (phonou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5408: Murder, slaughter, killing. From an obsolete primary pheno; murder.

against
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord’s
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

disciples.
μαθητὰς (mathētas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

He went
προσελθὼν (proselthōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.

to the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

high priest
ἀρχιερεῖ (archierei)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.


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NT Apostles: Acts 9:1 But Saul still breathing threats and slaughter (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 8:40
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