Acts 9:26 Meaning and Explanation
“And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Back in Jerusalem, Saul tries to join the disciples, but they are all afraid of him, not believing he is truly one of them.
What Does Acts 9:26 Mean?
Three years have passed (Galatians 1:18), but Jerusalem remembers the man who broke into houses and dragged believers to prison. To the church there his conversion sounds like a trap — the perfect bait of an informer. So the doors stay closed against him.
Luke does not scold the church for its caution; wounds teach wariness, and trust grows back slowly. What shines here is Saul’s persistence: he keeps seeking the fellowship he once scattered, because life in Christ is not meant to be lived alone. The convert needs the church he had made to fear him — and God is already preparing an advocate.
Acts 9:26 in the Original Language
kollao (κολλάω), 'join' -- literally to glue; Saul sought to be bound fast to the community of believers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 9:26
What does Acts 9:26 mean?
Back in Jerusalem, Saul tries to join the disciples, but they are all afraid of him, not believing he is truly one of them.