Acts 9:25 One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

◄ Acts 9:25 ►

New International Version
But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

New Living Translation
So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.

English Standard Version
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Berean Standard Bible
One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

Berean Literal Bible
But having taken him by night, his disciples let him down through the wall, having lowered him in a basket.

King James Bible
Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

New King James Version
Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

New American Standard Bible
but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

NASB 1995
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

NASB 1977
but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

Legacy Standard Bible
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

Amplified Bible
but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

Christian Standard Bible
but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.

American Standard Version
but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket

Contemporary English Version
Then one night his followers let him down over the city wall in a large basket.

English Revised Version
but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, Saul's disciples lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall one night.

Good News Translation
But one night Saul's followers took him and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

International Standard Version
but his disciples took him one night and let him down through the city wall by lowering him in a basket.

Majority Standard Bible
One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

NET Bible
But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall by lowering him in a basket.

New Heart English Bible
but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

Weymouth New Testament
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a hamper.

World English Bible
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the disciples having taken him, by night let him down by the wall, letting down in a basket.

Berean Literal Bible
But having taken him by night, his disciples let him down through the wall, having lowered him in a basket.

Young's Literal Translation
and the disciples having taken him, by night did let him down by the wall, letting down in a basket.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the disciples having taken him by night, put through the wall, having let down in a wicker basket.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But the disciples taking him in the night, conveyed him away by the wall, letting him down in a basket.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the disciples, taking him away by night, sent him over the wall by letting him down in a basket.

New American Bible
but his disciples took him one night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

New Revised Standard Version
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then the disciples placed him in a basket and let him down over the wall during the night.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Then the disciples put him in a basket and let him down from the wall by night.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But the disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall in a basket.

Godbey New Testament
and his disciples taking him, let him down through the wall in the night, lowering him in a basket.

Haweis New Testament
But the disciples taking him by night, got him off through the wall, letting him down in a basket.

Mace New Testament
the disciples took him by night, and let him down the wall in a basket.

Weymouth New Testament
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a hamper.

Worrell New Testament
but the disciples, taking him by night, let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Worsley New Testament
but the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall, in a basket.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Escape from Damascus
…24but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. 25One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall. 26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Corinthians 11:32-33
In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. / But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

Joshua 2:15
Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window, since the house where she lived was built into the wall of the city.

1 Samuel 19:12
So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

2 Kings 8:7-9
Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.” / So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” / So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

John 8:59
At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.

John 10:39
At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.

Acts 17:10
As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

Acts 17:14
The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.

Acts 23:12-24
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 14:6
they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

Acts 16:25-26
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. / Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.

Acts 22:18
and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’

Acts 23:16-22
But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. / Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” / So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.” ...

Acts 25:3
to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

Treasury of Scripture

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

the disciples.

let.

Joshua 2:15
Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

1 Samuel 19:11,12
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain…

2 Corinthians 11:33
And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

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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

One night
The phrase "one night" indicates a specific time when the events took place, emphasizing the urgency and secrecy of the situation. In the Greek, "night" (νύξ, nux) often symbolizes a time of danger or divine intervention. Throughout Scripture, night is a time when God often acts to protect or deliver His people, as seen in the Exodus or when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. This setting underscores the peril Saul faced and the divine providence at work in his escape.

however
The word "however" serves as a conjunction that contrasts the previous verses, where Saul was in danger due to his bold preaching. It highlights a turning point in the narrative, showing that despite the threats against him, God provided a way of escape. This reflects the biblical theme that God often intervenes in unexpected ways to fulfill His purposes.

his disciples
"His disciples" refers to those who followed Saul, acknowledging his leadership and teaching. The Greek term for disciples (μαθηταί, mathētai) implies learners or followers. This indicates that Saul, even early in his ministry, had a significant impact on others, who were willing to risk their safety for him. It also shows the early Christian community's solidarity and commitment to one another.

took him
The phrase "took him" suggests an active and deliberate effort by the disciples to ensure Saul's safety. The Greek verb used here (λαβόντες, labontes) implies taking hold of or seizing, indicating the urgency and determination of the disciples. This action reflects the biblical principle of bearing one another's burdens and the importance of community support in times of crisis.

and lowered him
"Lowered him" describes the method of Saul's escape, which was both practical and discreet. The Greek verb (καθῆκαν, kathēkan) means to let down or lower, often used in contexts of careful handling. This act of lowering Saul in a basket demonstrates the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the early Christians, as well as their commitment to preserving the life of a key leader in the nascent church.

in a basket
The "basket" (σπυρίδι, spyridi) was likely a large, woven container used for carrying goods. This detail adds a vivid, tangible element to the narrative, illustrating the humble and precarious means of Saul's escape. It also echoes the account of Moses, who was saved in a basket, drawing a parallel between these two pivotal figures in God's redemptive history.

through a window
"Through a window" indicates the specific route of escape, suggesting a house built into the city wall, a common architectural feature in ancient cities like Damascus. This detail highlights the strategic planning involved in Saul's escape and the providential opportunities God provides for deliverance. It also symbolizes a transition from danger to safety, from one phase of Saul's life to another.

in the wall
The phrase "in the wall" refers to the city wall of Damascus, which was both a barrier and a means of escape. In ancient times, city walls were symbols of protection and security, but here, they become a conduit for God's deliverance. This imagery reinforces the biblical theme that God can use any circumstance, even those meant for harm, to accomplish His purposes and protect His servants.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(25) Let him down by the wall in a basket.--The basket is the spuris of Matthew 15:37, where see Note. In 2Corinthians 11:33 St. Paul describes it by another word (sargane), which gives the idea of a wicker or rope-work hamper. It seems to follow, from the tone in which the Apostle there speaks of this adventure, that it had been made matter of ridicule. It is connected in his thoughts with the "infirmities" (probably with his smallness of stature) of which he was content to boast. The escape was effected, like that of the spies from the house of Rahab (Joshua 2:15) and of David from his own house (1Samuel 19:11), through an opening or "window" in the town wall. Such a window is still shown in the wall of Damascus as the traditional scene of the escape.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. - But for then, A.V.; his disciples for the disciples, A.V. and T.R.; through for by, A.V; lowering him in for in, A.V. Lowering him, etc. The A.V. gives the sense freely; and combining the verb καθῆκαν with the participle χαλάσαντες, translates both by the one word "let him down." The by of the A.V. seems preferable to the through of the R.V., as through suggests the idea, which cannot be intended, of making a hole in the wall. The escape of the spies from Jericho, as described in Joshua 2:15, was exactly in the same way, except that they had only a rope to descend by, whereas St. Paul had a rope-basket. In the description of his escape given by St. Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:33), he uses the same word for "let down" (ἐχαλάσθην), tells us he was let down "by the wall," R.V. διὰ τοῦ τείχους, with the additional particular that he got out through the window, διὰ θυρίδος, and that it was a σαργάνη, a basket made of ropes (which describes the kind of basket somewhat more accurately than the σπυρίς here used) in which he was let down (see note on ver. 20). The passage in 2 Corinthians gives us a further interesting account of how the Jews went about to accomplish their purpose of killing Paul. It seems that at this time, either in revolt against the Romans or by permission of Caligula (it is not known certainly which), a certain Aretas, or Hareth, King of Arabia Petrea, included Damascus in his dominions for a time, i.e. through the reigns of Caligula and Claudius. He appointed an ethnarch, who was doubtless a Jew, to rule the large Jewish population according to their Law, and who was the ready tool of the unbelieving Jews, using his power as governor to have the gates kept day and night so as to prevent Saul's escape. But he that keepeth Israel neither slumbered nor slept, and by his watchful providence Saul escaped from their hands. As regards the R.Y., his disciples for the disciples, Alford adopts the reading λαβόντες δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτόν, and holds αὐτοῦ of the R.T. to be simply a mistake for αὐτόν, caused by the situation of αὐτόν after λαβόντες. The R.T. cannot be right. "The disciples" is St. Luke's regular expression for "Christians" (Acts 6:1, 2, 7; Acts 9:10, 19, 26; Acts 14:22; Acts 21:16), and is our Lord's name for his followers, but is never used by an apostle of his own followers (see 1 Corinthians 1:12, 13; 1 Corinthians 3:4-7).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

One night,
νυκτὸς (nyktos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'.

however,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

disciples
μαθηταὶ (mathētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

took [him]
λαβόντες (labontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[and] lowered [him]
χαλάσαντες (chalasantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5465: To let down, lower, slacken, loosen. From the base of chasma; to lower.

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.

a basket
σπυρίδι (spyridi)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4711: A plaited basket. From speiro; a hamper or lunch-receptacle.

through [ a window ]
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

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

wall.
τείχους (teichous)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5038: A wall, especially of a city. Akin to the base of tikto; a wall.

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NT Apostles: Acts 9:25 But his disciples took him by night (Acts of the Apostles Ac)