Bible Strands
Acts 9:20
Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Saul addresses the Jewish communities in Damascus immediately after recovering his strength and spending several days with the local disciples. He stands in their synagogues right after his road-to-Damascus conversion, shifting from persecution to public witness.
The words — The Greek εὐθέως (eutheōs) translates literally to "immediately," marking the abrupt start of his ministry, while ἐκήρυσσεν (ekērussen) means "he was proclaiming," indicating a sustained public declaration.
The thread — This public confession parallels Thomas’s declaration in John 20:28 and fulfills the transformed ministry noted in Galatians 1:23, where the former persecutor now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge the factual shift from a man who wrecked havoc to one who immediately declares Jesus as the Son of God, demanding an assessment of that transformation without spiritualizing the historical sequence.
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 straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Cross-references
- John 20:28 Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
- Galatians 1:23 They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
- Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
- 1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.
- Psalms 2:7 I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.
- Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
- Matthew 4:3 The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
- Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
- Matthew 27:43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
- John 1:49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”