Acts 9:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ananias finishes his objection: Saul has come with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on the name of Jesus.
What Does Acts 9:14 Mean?
The danger is present tense. The letters of verse 2 are now in Damascus, and they target exactly people like Ananias. To knock on Saul’s door is, on paper, to walk into the arresting officer’s lodging and identify himself as a believer.
Notice how the believers are described: “all that call on thy name.” Prayer to Jesus is their identifying mark — the very phrase Joel used of calling on the LORD, which Peter preached at Pentecost (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21). The church’s danger and the church’s definition meet in a single line: these people are known, and hunted, by the name that is on their lips.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 9:14
What does Acts 9:14 mean?
Ananias finishes his objection: Saul has come with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on the name of Jesus.