Acts 9:20

Acts 9:20 Meaning and Explanation

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

King James Version (KJV)

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Without delay Saul preaches in the synagogues of Damascus the very message he came to silence: Jesus is the Son of God.

What Does Acts 9:20 Mean?

“Straightway,” Luke says — the same synagogues addressed in the arrest letters (v. 2) now hear the letter-bearer proclaim Jesus. The first recorded theme of Saul’s ministry is the confession that will anchor his epistles to the end: the crucified and risen Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 1:4; Galatians 2:20).

Saul preaches what he has seen and can no longer deny. Conversion turns immediately into confession; a changed heart starts speaking. And the messenger himself is half the message — nothing explains a persecutor in the preacher’s place except a real meeting with the risen Christ. What Christ has done in us is often the first sermon our neighbors hear.

Acts 9:20 in the Original Language

kerysso (κηρύσσω), 'preach' -- to herald, to announce news publicly on behalf of another.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 9:20

What does Acts 9:20 mean?

Without delay Saul preaches in the synagogues of Damascus the very message he came to silence: Jesus is the Son of God.

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