Bible Strands
Acts 9:19
and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative describes Saul immediately after his baptism and the restoration of his sight in Damascus. He is with the local disciples, transitioning from a blind persecutor to a fed and strengthened follower.
The words — λαβὼν (labōn) means "having taken," and τροφὴν (trophēn) translates to "food." The verb ἐνίσχυσεν (enischusen) literally denotes "he strengthened" himself after eating.
The thread — This physical renewal parallels David’s restoration in 1 Samuel 30:12 after eating a fig cake and raisins. Paul later recounts his post-Damascus retreat to Arabia in Galatians 1:17 before resuming his public witness.
Why it lands — The text states that physical sustenance and time with the community precede public proclamation. A reader must recognize that preparation and restoration are required before mission.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 1 Samuel 30:12 a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights.
- Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.
- Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works:
- Acts 11:26 and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
- Acts 27:33 Right up to daybreak, Paul kept urging them all to eat: “Today is your fourteenth day in constant suspense, without taking any food.
- 1 Samuel 10:10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.