Acts 9:15 "Go!" said the Lord. "This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

◄ Acts 9:15 ►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

Berean Literal Bible
But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is My vessel of choice to carry My name before the Gentiles, and also kings, and the sons of Israel.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

NASB 1995
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

NASB 1977
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

Legacy Standard Bible
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

Amplified Bible
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

Christian Standard Bible
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites.

American Standard Version
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:

Contemporary English Version
The Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me.

English Revised Version
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
The Lord told Ananias, "Go! I've chosen this man to bring my name to nations, to kings, and to the people of Israel.

Good News Translation
The Lord said to him, "Go, because I have chosen him to serve me, to make my name known to Gentiles and kings and to the people of Israel.

International Standard Version
But the Lord told him, "Go, because he's my chosen instrument to carry my name to unbelievers, to their kings, and to the descendants of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

NET Bible
But the Lord said to him, "Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

Weymouth New Testament
"Go," replied the Lord; "he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name to the Gentiles and to kings and to the descendants of Israel.

World English Bible
But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the LORD said to him, “Go, because this one is a chosen vessel to Me, to carry My Name before nations and kings—also the sons of Israel;

Berean Literal Bible
But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is My vessel of choice to carry My name before the Gentiles, and also kings, and the sons of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
And the Lord said unto him, 'Be going on, because a choice vessel to Me is this one, to bear My name before nations and kings -- the sons also of Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Lord said to him, Go: for he is a vessel of choice to me, to lift up my name before nations, and kings, and the sons of Israel:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said to him: Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.

New American Bible
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites,

New Revised Standard Version
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But the LORD said to him, Arise and go: he is the agent whom I have chosen for myself to carry my name to the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And THE LORD JEHOVAH said to him, “Arise, go, because he is a chosen vessel to me to take my name to the Gentiles and Kings and among the children of Israel.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But the Lord said to him: Go; for he is a vessel chosen by me to bear my name before nations and kings, and the sons of Israel.

Godbey New Testament
And the Lord said to him, Go: because he is a vessel of election to me, to bear my name both before the Gentiles, and kings, and sons of Israel:

Haweis New Testament
But the Lord said unto him, Go: for this man is an elect vessel for me, to bear my name before nations, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Mace New Testament
go, said the Lord to him: for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the children of Israel.

Weymouth New Testament
"Go," replied the Lord; "he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name to the Gentiles and to kings and to the descendants of Israel.

Worrell New Testament
But the Lord said to him, "Go your way; because this man is to Me a chosen vessel to bear My name before nations, and kings, and the sons of Israel;

Worsley New Testament
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ananias Baptizes Saul
…14And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” 15“Go!” said the Lord. “ This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Galatians 1:15-16
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased / to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,

Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—

1 Timothy 2:7
For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.

2 Corinthians 11:5
I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Ephesians 3:7-8
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. / Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

1 Corinthians 15:9-10
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. / But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

2 Timothy 1:11
to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

Romans 11:13
I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

Galatians 2:7-8
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. / For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.

Philippians 3:4-7
though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. ...

Isaiah 42:6
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Genesis 12:1-3
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Treasury of Scripture

But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Go.

Exodus 4:12-14
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say…

Jeremiah 1:7
But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

Jonah 3:1,2
And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, …

a chosen.

Acts 13:2
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

to bear.

Acts 21:19
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

Acts 22:21
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

Acts 26:17-20
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, …

and kings.

Acts 25:22-27
Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him…

Acts 26:1
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

Acts 27:24
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

the children.

Acts 28:17
And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

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Acts 9

1. Saul, going toward Damascus, is stricken down to the earth,
8. and led blind to Damascus;
10. is called to the apostleship;
18. and is baptized by Ananias.
20. He preaches Christ boldly.
23. The Jews lay wait to kill him;
29. so do the Grecians, but he escapes both.
31. The church having rest, Peter heals Aeneas;
36. and restores Tabitha to life.

Berean Study Bible

Go!
The Greek word used here is "πορεύου" (poreuou), which is an imperative form of the verb meaning "to go" or "to proceed." This command is direct and urgent, reflecting God's sovereign authority and the immediacy of His divine plan. In the context of Acts 9, this command is given to Ananias, who is hesitant to approach Saul due to Saul's reputation. The urgency of "Go!" underscores the importance of obedience to God's call, even when it challenges our understanding or comfort.

This man
Referring to Saul, who would later become Paul, this phrase highlights the personal nature of God's call. Despite Saul's past as a persecutor of Christians, God sees beyond human failings and chooses individuals for His purposes. This demonstrates the transformative power of God's grace and His ability to use anyone for His glory, regardless of their past.

is My chosen instrument
The Greek word for "chosen" is "ἐκλογή" (eklogē), meaning selected or elected. "Instrument" is translated from "σκεῦος" (skeuos), which can mean a vessel or tool. Together, these words convey the idea that Saul is specifically selected by God to fulfill a unique purpose. This emphasizes the doctrine of divine election, where God, in His sovereignty, chooses individuals for specific roles in His redemptive plan.

to carry My name
The phrase "to carry" comes from the Greek "βαστάσαι" (bastasai), meaning to bear or to carry. "My name" refers to the name of Jesus Christ, symbolizing His authority, character, and mission. Saul's mission is to bear witness to the truth of Christ, highlighting the responsibility of believers to represent Christ in their lives and proclaim His gospel.

before the Gentiles
The term "Gentiles" is translated from the Greek "ἔθνη" (ethnē), meaning nations or peoples. This signifies the expansive scope of the gospel, which is not limited to the Jewish people but is intended for all nations. Saul's mission to the Gentiles marks a pivotal shift in the early church, emphasizing the inclusivity of the gospel message.

and their kings
This phrase indicates that Saul's mission will reach the highest levels of society. The gospel is not only for the common people but also for rulers and authorities. Historically, Paul would indeed stand before kings and governors, as recorded in Acts, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of his ministry.

and before the people of Israel
Despite Saul's primary mission to the Gentiles, he is also called to witness to the Jewish people. This reflects the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and His desire for all His chosen people to come to faith in Christ. Saul's ministry to both Jews and Gentiles underscores the unity of God's redemptive plan for all humanity.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) He if a chosen vessel unto me.--Literally, a vessel of election. The term has nothing directly analogous to it in the Old Testament, but it is Hebrew in its form; the second noun being used as a genitive of the characteristic attribute, and so equivalent to an intensified adjective. So in Isaiah 22:7, we have in the LXX. "valleys of election" for the "choicest valleys" of the English version. The term "vessel" is used in the Old Testament of arms (Genesis 27:3), of garments (Deuteronomy 22:5), of household goods (Genesis 31:36-37). In the New Testament its range of meaning is yet wider, as in Matthew 12:29; Luke 8:16; John 19:29; Romans 9:22; 2Corinthians 4:7. Here our word "instrument" or "implement" comes, perhaps, nearest to its meaning. The persecutor had been chosen by the Lord as the "tool" with which He would work out His gracious will for him and for the Gentiles. In this sense it was used by classical writers of useful and trusty slaves, just as we speak of one man being the "tool" of another. Possibly, however, the words may be interpreted as containing the germ of the parable of the potter's vessel on which St. Paul dwells in Romans 9:21-23, and implied that the convert was not only chosen, but moulded, for his future work. The word "election," which occurs here for the first time in the New Testament, and is afterwards so prominent in the teaching of St. Paul (Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5; Romans 11:7-8; 1Thessalonians 1:4), affords yet another instance of the influence exercised on the Apostle by the thoughts and language of the instructor through whom alone he could have learnt what is here recorded. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - A chosen vessel (comp. Galatians 2:15; Romans 9:21, 22). To bear my name before the Gentiles (see Acts 22:21; Acts 26:17, 18; Romans 15:16; Galatians 2:7-9, etc.) and kings (Acts 25; Acts 26; 2 Timothy 4:16, 17, with reference to Nero), and the children of Israel. The Gentiles are named before the children of Israel, because St. Paul's special call was to be the apostle of the Gentiles. But we know that even St. Paul's practice was to preach Christ to the Jews first, in every city where there were Jews.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

“Go!”
Πορεύου (Poreuou)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.

said
Εἶπεν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord.
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

“This [man]
οὗτος (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

is
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

My
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

chosen
ἐκλογῆς (eklogēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1589: A choosing out, selecting, choice (by God). From eklegomai; selection.

instrument
σκεῦος (skeuos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4632: A vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband).

to carry
βαστάσαι (bastasai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 941: Perhaps remotely derived from the base of basis; to lift, literally or figuratively.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

name
ὄνομά (onoma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

before
ἐνώπιον (enōpion)
Preposition
Strong's 1799: Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Gentiles
ἐθνῶν (ethnōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

and their
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

kings,
βασιλέων (basileōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.

and
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

[before the] people
υἱῶν (huiōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of Israel.
Ἰσραήλ (Israēl)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.

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NT Apostles: Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him Go (Acts of the Apostles Ac)