Acts 9:15

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

Acts 9:15 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
15 But the Lord said unto him,Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
English Standard Version (ESV)
15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.
The Message Bible (MSG)
15 But the Master said, "Don't argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to Gentiles and kings and Jews.
American Standard Version (ASV)
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
15 The Lord told Ananias, "Go! I've chosen this man to bring my name to nations, to kings, and to the people of Israel.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
15 But the Lord said to him, "Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before Gentiles, kings, and the sons of Israel.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will carry my name to those who aren't Jews and to their kings. He will bring my name to the people of Israel.

Acts 9:15 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, go thy way
The Syriac version reads, "arise, go thy way"; make no delay, nor any excuse, there is no reason for it; nothing is to be feared from him:

for he is a chosen vessel unto me;
a choice and excellent one, full of the heavenly treasure of the Gospel, full of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, and so very fit and richly qualified for the use and service of Christ; and was (htdmx ylk) , "a vessel of desire", or a desirable one, as the Jews speak F14: or he was, to render the words literally, "a vessel of election"; both an instrument gathering in the election, or the elect of God, through the preaching of the Gospel; and was himself chosen of God, both to grace and glory, a vessel of mercy, and of honour prepared for glory; and was separated, predestinated, and appointed to the Gospel of God, to preach it among the Gentiles; which sense is confirmed by what follows:

to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel;
by "the name" of Christ is meant his Gospel, which is a declaration of his person, perfections, glories, and excellencies, of his offices, grace, righteousness, and salvation; and to "bear" it, is to preach it, to carry it about, spread abroad, and propagate it; in allusion either to the prophets of old, whose prophecies are often called a "burden", which they bore and carried to the several nations to whom they were sent; or to the Levites bearing the tabernacle of the Lord, and its vessels, "be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord", ( Isaiah 52:11 ) . Upon which Aben Ezra has this note,

``they are the Israelites, (hrwth yavwn) , "that bear the law";''

but Saul was a chosen vessel to bear the Gospel; or to the sower of seed, ( Psalms 126:6 ) "before the Gentiles", or nations of the world; and he was an apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity; the Gospel of the uncircumcision was particularly committed to him: and before "kings", as he did before Agrippa, king of the Jews, and before Nero, emperor of Rome; and his bonds for the Gospel, and so the Gospel through his bonds became manifest in all the palace, or court of Caesar. And before

the children of Israel;
the Jews, to whom he first preached it; but when they put it away he turned to the Gentiles, and afterwards, before the Jews, he bore a testimony for it.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 6. 1.

Acts 9:15 In-Context

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. Acts 13:2; Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:12
  • 2. Romans 11:13; Romans 15:15,16; Galatians 1:16; Galatians 2:7,8; Ephesians 3:7,8
  • 3. Acts 25:22,23; Acts 26:1
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