Acts 9:24
New International Version
but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.

New Living Translation
They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot.

English Standard Version
but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him,

Berean Standard Bible
but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.

Berean Literal Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. And now they were closely watching the gates day and also night, so that they might kill him.

King James Bible
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

New King James Version
But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.

New American Standard Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. They were also closely watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;

NASB 1995
but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;

NASB 1977
but their plot became known to Saul. And they were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;

Legacy Standard Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;

Amplified Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the city’s gates day and night so they could kill him;

Christian Standard Bible
but Saul learned of their plot. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him,

American Standard Version
but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:

Contemporary English Version
but he found out about it. He learned that they were guarding the gates of the city day and night in order to kill him.

English Revised Version
but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
but Saul was told about their plot. They were watching the city gates day and night in order to murder him.

Good News Translation
but he was told of their plan. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.

International Standard Version
but their plot became known to him. They were even watching the gates day and night to murder him,

Majority Standard Bible
but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.

NET Bible
but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him.

New Heart English Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,

Webster's Bible Translation
But their laying in wait, was known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Weymouth New Testament
but information of their intention was given to him. They even watched the gates, day and night, in order to murder him;

World English Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and their counsel against [him] was known to Saul; they were also watching the gates both day and night, that they may kill him,

Berean Literal Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. And now they were closely watching the gates day and also night, so that they might kill him.

Young's Literal Translation
and their counsel against him was known to Saul; they were also watching the gates both day and night, that they may kill him,

Smith's Literal Translation
But this project was known to Saul. And they observed narrowly the gates day, and also night, that they might kill him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But their laying in wait was made known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night, that they might kill him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But their treachery became known to Saul. Now they were also watching the gates, day and night, so that they might put him to death.

New American Bible
but their plot became known to Saul. Now they were keeping watch on the gates day and night so as to kill him,

New Revised Standard Version
but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But their conspiracy was made known to Saul, how they watched the gates of the city day and night to kill him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the plot was shown to Shaul, what they were seeking to do to him. And they were watching the gates of the city day and night that they might kill him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And their plot was made known to Saul; and they watched the gates day and night, that they might kill him.

Godbey New Testament
but their plot was made known to Saul. And they were keeping the gates both day and night in order that they might kill him:

Haweis New Testament
but their design was discovered to Saul. And they kept guard at the gates of the city day and night, that they might kill him.

Mace New Testament
but Saul was appriz'd of their plot, and as they were night and day upon the watch at the gates, in order to kill him,

Weymouth New Testament
but information of their intention was given to him. They even watched the gates, day and night, in order to murder him;

Worrell New Testament
but their plot became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates also, both day and night, that they might kill him;

Worsley New Testament
but Saul was apprised of their design. And they watched the gates day and night, to make away with him:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Escape from Damascus
23After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. 25One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.…

Cross References
Acts 23:12-16
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 25:3
to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

2 Corinthians 11:32-33
In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. / But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

Acts 22:18
and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’

Acts 14:5-6
But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, / they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

Acts 20:3
where he stayed three months. And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

John 7:1
After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.

1 Samuel 19:11-12
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

1 Kings 19:1-3
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!” / And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,

Jeremiah 11:18-19
And the LORD informed me, so I knew. Then You showed me their deeds. / For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Psalm 37:32
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

Psalm 31:13
For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Psalm 56:6
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.


Treasury of Scripture

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

their.

Acts 9:29,30
And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him…

Acts 14:5,6
And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, …

Acts 17:10-15
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews…

And they.

Psalm 21:11
For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

Psalm 37:32,33
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him…

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Await Close Counsel Death Design Gates Information Intention Kept Kill Laying Murder Night Order Plan Plot Roads Saul Wait Watch Watched Watching
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Await Close Counsel Death Design Gates Information Intention Kept Kill Laying Murder Night Order Plan Plot Roads Saul Wait Watch Watched Watching
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.














but Saul learned of their plot
The phrase "but Saul learned" indicates a pivotal moment in the narrative. Saul, who would later be known as Paul, is in the early stages of his Christian journey. The Greek word for "learned" is "gnōrizō," which implies a revelation or making known. This suggests divine intervention or the work of the Holy Spirit in revealing the plot against him. The "plot" (Greek: "epiboulē") refers to a deliberate and malicious plan, highlighting the intense opposition Saul faced from those who saw him as a threat to their religious traditions. This opposition is a recurring theme in the life of Paul, who often faced persecution for his bold proclamation of the Gospel.

Day and night they watched the city gates
The phrase "Day and night" emphasizes the relentless vigilance of Saul's adversaries. The Greek words "hēmera" (day) and "nyx" (night) underscore the continuous and determined effort to capture him. The "city gates" were strategic locations in ancient cities, serving as points of entry and exit, as well as places of commerce and legal transactions. In the context of Damascus, these gates were crucial for controlling movement in and out of the city. The historical context reveals that city gates were often guarded, and the mention of them here indicates the seriousness of the threat against Saul. This vigilance reflects the intensity of the opposition to the early Christian movement and the lengths to which its opponents would go to suppress it.

in order to kill him
The phrase "in order to kill him" reveals the ultimate intent of Saul's enemies. The Greek word "anaireō" means to take away or destroy, and in this context, it clearly refers to their intent to murder Saul. This highlights the life-threatening danger he faced as a new convert to Christianity. The historical context of this period shows that early Christians were often seen as a radical sect, and their message was perceived as a threat to both Jewish religious leaders and Roman authorities. Saul's transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a proponent of the faith made him a prime target. This phrase underscores the cost of discipleship and the reality of persecution for those who choose to follow Christ. It serves as a reminder of the courage and faith required to stand firm in the face of opposition.

(24) They watched the gates day and night to kill him.--A somewhat fuller account of this episode in the Apostle's life is given by him in 2Corinthians 11:32. There we read that the governor--literally, ethnarch--of the city, under Aretas, King of Arabia Petraea, with Petra as his capital, the father of the wife whom Herod Antipas divorced, in order that he might marry Herodias, took an active part in the plot against Paul. On the manner in which Aretas had gained possession of a city which was properly attached to the Roman province of Syria, see Note on Acts 9:2. It is noticeable that there are coins of Damascus bearing the names of Augustus and Tiberius, and again of Nero and his successors, but none of those of Caligula and Claudius, who succeeded Tiberius. Caligula, on his accession, reversed the policy of Tiberius, who had been a friend and supporter of Antipas against Aretas, and it is probable that, as in other instances, he created a new principality, or ethnarchy, in favour of Aretas, to whose predecessors Damascus had belonged (Jos. Ant. xiii. 15, ? 2). The ethnarch apparently wished to court the favour of the large Jewish population, and, looking on St. Paul as a disturber of the public peace, took measures for his arrest and condemnation. Troops were stationed at each gate of the city in order to prevent his escape.

Verse 24. - Their plot (ἐπιβουλή) became known for their laying await was known, A.V.; to Saul for of Saul, A.V.; the gates also for the gates, A.V. and T.R.; that they might for to, A.V.; a colon instead of full point at end of verse.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

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

learned of
ἐγνώσθη (egnōsthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

plot.
ἐπιβουλὴ (epiboulē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1917: A plot, design against. From a presumed compound of epi and boulomai; a plan against someone, i.e. A plot.

Day
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

and
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

night
νυκτὸς (nyktos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'.

they watched
παρετηροῦντο (paretērounto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3906: To watch, observe scrupulously. From para and tereo; to inspect alongside, i.e. Note insidiously or scrupulously.

the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[city] gates
πύλας (pylas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4439: A gate. Apparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance.

in order
ὅπως (hopōs)
Conjunction
Strong's 3704: From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual).

to kill
ἀνέλωσιν (anelōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 337: From ana and haireomai; to take up, i.e. Adopt; by implication, to take away, i.e. Abolish, murder.

him.
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Apostles: Acts 9:24 But their plot became known to Saul (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 9:23
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