Acts 9:22
◄  Acts 9:22  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

English Standard Version (©2001)
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
But Saul grew more capable and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this One is the Messiah.

International Standard Version (©2012)
But Saul grew more and more persuasive, and continued to confound the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this man was the Messiah.

NET Bible (©2006)
But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
But Shaul was strengthened even more and was agitating those Jews who were dwelling in Darmsuq as he was showing that This One is The Messiah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Saul grew more powerful, and he confused the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this one is the very Christ.

American King James Version
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelled at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

American Standard Version
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But Saul increased much more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, affirming that this is the Christ.

Darby Bible Translation
But Saul increased the more in power, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

English Revised Version
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

Webster's Bible Translation
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Weymouth New Testament
Saul, however, gained more and more influence, and as for the Jews living in Damascus, he bewildered them with his proofs that Jesus is the Christ.

World English Bible
But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul was still more strengthened, and he was confounding the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:10-22 A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation! Now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; before, he said his prayers, now, he prayed them. Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find a living man without breath, as a living Christian without prayer. Yet even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes stagger at the commands of the Lord. But it is the Lord's glory to surpass our scanty expectations, and show that those are vessels of his mercy whom we are apt to consider as objects of his vengeance. The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavours to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 22. - The Christ for very Christ, A.V. The repetition of the phrase ὅτι οῦτός ἐστιν (vers. 20 and 22) is remarkable. As already observed, it presupposes the mention of Jesus, of whom it is thus predicated that he is both "the Son of God" and "the Christ" (comp. Acts 2:32, 36; Acts 4:11, etc.). Observe the incidental proof of the general expectation of the Jews that Christ should come in this description of the apostolic preaching as directed to the one point that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But Saul increased the more in strength,.... Not of body, but of mind; his gifts and graces, and spiritual light and knowledge increased; his abilities were greater; his fortitude of mind, boldness, and freedom of speech, every day increased: he got more, and new, and fresh arguments, by which he himself was confirmed, and he confirmed others in the truths of Christ. Some copies read, "he was more strengthened in the word"; either in the word of God, having a clearer understanding, and being more confirmed in the truth of it; or in speech, being more ready and powerful in speaking it.

And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus; confuted them, and put them to silence, so that they had nothing to say for themselves, or against the truth:

proving that this is very Christ; by joining and knitting passages of Scripture in the Old Testament together, by producing and citing express testimonies from thence, and by comparing the prophecies and the characters of the Messiah in them, with Jesus of Nazareth, he proved to a demonstration that he must be the Messiah.

Acts 9:22 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Saul Preaches Christ at Damascus
20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? 22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelled at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Psalm 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
Acts 9:20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
Acts 9:21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"
Acts 9:23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,
Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
Acts 17:3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah," he said.
Galatians 1:18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.
1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.