Acts 9:20 Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, "He is the Son of God."

◄ Acts 9:20 ►

New International Version
At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

New Living Translation
And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”

English Standard Version
And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Berean Standard Bible
Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”

Berean Literal Bible
And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

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

New King James Version
Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

New American Standard Bible
and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

NASB 1995
and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

NASB 1977
and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Amplified Bible
And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!”

Christian Standard Bible
Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”

American Standard Version
And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

Contemporary English Version
Soon he went to the synagogues and started telling people that Jesus is the Son of God.

English Revised Version
And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He immediately began to spread the word in their synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God.

Good News Translation
He went straight to the synagogues and began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God.

International Standard Version
He immediately started to preach about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This is the Son of God."

Majority Standard Bible
Saul promptly began to proclaim Christ in the synagogues, declaring, ?He is the Son of God.?

NET Bible
and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This man is the Son of God."

New Heart English Bible
Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Weymouth New Testament
And in the synagogues he began at once to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God;

World English Bible
Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and immediately he was preaching the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Berean Literal Bible
And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Young's Literal Translation
and immediately in the synagogues he was preaching the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And quickly in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.

New American Bible
and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

New Revised Standard Version
and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
From that time on, he preached in the Jewish synagogues concerning Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And within an hour he was preaching in the synagogue of the Jews about Yeshua, that he is The Son of God.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
and immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Godbey New Testament
and immediately he was preaching Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Haweis New Testament
And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Mace New Testament
Immediately he maintained in the synagogues, that Jesus was the son of God.

Weymouth New Testament
And in the synagogues he began at once to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God;

Worrell New Testament
and straightway in the synagogues he was preaching Jesus, that He is the Son of God.

Worsley New Testament
And he immediately preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Saul Preaches at Damascus
19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” 21All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Galatians 1:23
They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”

Acts 22:20
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

1 Timothy 1:13-16
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. / And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. / This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. ...

Philippians 3:6-7
as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. / But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Acts 26:20
First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.

2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.

1 John 4:15
If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

John 9:22
His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.

Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 20:31
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 John 5:1
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.

John 1:34
I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

Treasury of Scripture

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

straightway.

Acts 9:27,28
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus…

Galatians 1:23,24
But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed…

that.

Acts 8:37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Psalm 2:7,12
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee…

Matthew 26:63-66
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God…

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Christ Damascus Disciples God Immediately Jesus Once Preach Preached Preaching Proclaim Proclaimed Several Straight Straightway Synagogues

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Christ Damascus Disciples God Immediately Jesus Once Preach Preached Preaching Proclaim Proclaimed Several Straight Straightway Synagogues

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

Saul promptly began
The word "promptly" indicates an immediate action, reflecting Saul's urgency and transformation. The Greek word used here is "euthys," which means straightway or immediately. This suggests a radical change in Saul's life, from persecutor to proclaimer. His immediate response is a testament to the power of his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. Historically, this marks a pivotal moment in the early Church, as Saul, later known as Paul, becomes one of its most fervent apostles.

to proclaim Jesus
The act of proclaiming, or "kerysso" in Greek, implies a public declaration with authority. Saul's proclamation of Jesus is significant because it marks a complete reversal of his previous mission to suppress the followers of Christ. The focus on "Jesus" highlights the centrality of Christ in Saul's new mission. This proclamation in the synagogues, places of Jewish worship and learning, underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the continuity of God's plan through Jesus.

in the synagogues
Synagogues were central to Jewish community life, serving as places of worship, teaching, and community gathering. Saul's choice to begin his ministry in the synagogues is strategic, as it allows him to reach a Jewish audience familiar with the Scriptures. This setting also reflects Saul's background as a Pharisee and his deep understanding of Jewish law and tradition, which he now uses to demonstrate that Jesus is the promised Messiah.

declaring, 'He is the Son of God.'
The declaration "He is the Son of God" is profound, as it directly addresses the divine nature of Jesus. The term "Son of God" is a messianic title that affirms Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, His divinity, and His role in salvation history. This bold statement would have been controversial and provocative in the synagogues, challenging traditional Jewish beliefs and inviting listeners to reconsider their understanding of the Messiah. Saul's use of this title reflects his deep conviction and the transformative power of his encounter with the risen Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues.--The "straightway" as interpreted by the inference drawn in the previous Note, must be taken to refer to the Apostle's first public appearance in the synagogues of Damascus after his return from Arabia. The tense of the verb implies that the work was continued for some length of time. What he had to proclaim was, first, that the Christ was actually and verily the Son of God no less than the Son of David; and, secondly, that Jesus of Nazareth had been shown to be the Christ. The better MSS., however, give the reading, preached Jesus. The line of reasoning we may assume to have been identical with that of Acts 13:16-41. It is not without interest to remember here also that the Samaritans had a synagogue of their own at Damascus, and that he may thus have preached to them, so following in the footprints of Philip and taking his first step in the great work of breaking down the barriers that divided Israel from the world.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - In the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus for he preached Christ in the synagogues, A.V. and T.R. The preponderance of manuscript authority, and the ὄνομα of ver. 21, and the ὅτι οϋτός ἐστιν ὁ Ξριστός of ver. 22, seem conclusive in favor of Jesus rather than Christ. As regards the expression straightway, we must understand it as descriptive of Saul's action upon his return from Arabia. Is it possible that St. Luke uses it with the same meaning as he may have heard St. Paul use it in when speaking of his Damascus preaching, in the same sense as St. Paul actually does speak in Galatians 1:17, viz. as expressing that he did not wait for authority from the apostles, but at once, fresh from the Divine call, and having a direct commission from Christ himself, entered upon his apostolic ministry? If the Epistle to the Galatians was written A.D. , it would be just about the time that St. Luke joined St. Paul, and might be commencing to collect materials for his history. So that the phrase in the Galatians and the phrase in this twentieth verse might really be the expression of one thought committed to paper by St. Paul on the one hand, and uttered in the ear of Luke on the other. It is a confirmation of this view that in 2 Corinthians, written about the same time, there is also an account of Saul's escape from Damascus. In the synagogues; the very synagogues (ver. 2) to which the letters of the high priest were addressed, empowering him to arrest either man or woman who called upon the Name of Jesus, and bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem to be tried before the Sanhedrim. No wonder they were amazed.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

[Saul] promptly began to proclaim
ἐκήρυσσεν (ekēryssen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2784: To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

synagogues,
συναγωγαῖς (synagōgais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4864: From sunago; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish 'synagogue'; by analogy, a Christian church.

[ declaring ],
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

“He
οὗτός (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

is
ἐστιν (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.

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.

Son
Υἱὸς (Huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of God.”
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

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NT Apostles: Acts 9:20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the (Acts of the Apostles Ac)