Acts 9:25

"but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,"

Key Reflection

The verse from Acts 9:25 describes a tense situation for Saul, who had recently converted to Christianity and faced immediate opposition from his former colleagues in Judaism. The phrase “they watched the gates both day and night” underscores the seriousness of their intent to harm him, reflecting the vigilance required to ensure such an assassination attempt could succeed in ancient Jerusalem, where security was paramount. This detail would have highlighted the danger Saul faced and the rapid shift from respected Pharisee to targeted individual, emphasizing the immediate conflict between Jewish religious authorities and early Christian believers.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 25. They took him by night, etc. This was done through a window in the wall, 2 Co 11:33. In a basket. This word is used to denote commonly the basket in which food was carried, Mt 15:37; Mr 8:8,20. This conduct of Saul was in accordance with the direction of the Lord Jesus, Mt 10:23, "When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another," etc. Saul was certain of death if he remained; and as he could secure his life by flight without abandoning any principle of religion, or denying his Lord, it was his duty to do so. Christianity requires us to sacrifice our lives only when we cannot avoid it without denying the Saviour, or abandoning the principles of our holy religion.

Related Verses

More from Acts 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion