Acts 9:26
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:26 in other translations
| BSB | When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. |
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| WEB | When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. |
| ASV | And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. |
| YLT | And Saul, having come to Jerusalem, did try to join himself to the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he is a disciple, |
| DARBY | And having arrived at Jerusalem he essayed to join himself to the disciples, and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. |
| BBE | And when he came to Jerusalem, he made an attempt to be joined to the disciples, but they were all in fear of him, not taking him for a disciple. |
| Webster | And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. |
What does Acts 9:26 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Ac 9:26-31. Saul's First Visit to Jerusalem after His Conversion.
26. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem--"three years after" his conversion, and particularly "to see Peter" (Ga 1:18); no doubt because he was the leading apostle, and to communicate to him the prescribed sphere of his labors, specially to "the Gentiles." he assayed to join himself to the disciples--simply as one of them, leaving his apostolic commission to manifest itself. they were all afraid of him, &c.--knowing him only as a persecutor of the faith; the rumor of his conversion, if it ever was cordially believed, passing away during his long absence in Arabia, and the news of his subsequent labors in Damascus perhaps not having reached them.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
He assayed. He attempted; he endeavoured.
To join himself. To become connected with them as their fellow Christian.
But they were all afraid of him. Their fear, or suspicion, was excited probably on these grounds:
(1.) They remembered his former violence against Christians. They had an instinctive shrinking from him, and suspicion of the man that had been so violent a persecutor.
(2.) He had been absent three years. If they had not heard of him during that time, they would naturally retain much of their old feelings towards him. If they had, they might suspect the man who had not returned to Jerusalem; who had not before sought the society of other Christians; and who had spent that time in a distant country, and among strangers. It would seem remarkable that he had not at once returned to Jerusalem and connected himself with the apostles. But the sacred writer does not justify the fears of the apostles. He simply records the fact of their apprehension. It is not unnatural, however, to have doubts respecting an open and virulent enemy of the gospel who suddenly professes a change in favour of it. The human mind does not easily cast off suspicion of some unworthy motive, and open itself at once to entire confidence. When great and notorious sinners profess to be converted--men who have been violent, or artful, or malignant-- it is natural to ask whether they have not some unworthy motive still in their professed change. Confidence is a plant of slow growth, and starts up not by a sudden profession, but by a course of life which is worthy of affection and of trust.
A disciple. A sincere Christian.
(d) "come to Jerusalem" Gal 1:18 (*) "assayed" "Attempted"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 9:23-31
When we enter into the way of God, we must look for trials; but the Lord knows how to deliver the godly, and will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape. Though Saul's conversion was and is a proof of the truth of Christianity, yet it could not, of itself, convert one soul at enmity with the truth; for nothing can produce true faith, but that power which new-creates the heart. Believers are apt to be too…
Acts 9:26 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Acts 9:26
- Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
- Galatians 1:17-19
Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
- Acts 4:23
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
- Acts 9:19
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
- Acts 22:17-20
And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
- Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
- Matthew 10:17-19
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
- Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
22:17; 26:20; Ga 1:17-19
he assayed.
19; 4:23
but.
Mt 10:17-19; 24:10; Ga 2:4
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Acts 9:25
Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
- Acts 9:26
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
- Acts 9:27
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.
Acts 9:26 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y como vino á Jerusalem, tentaba de juntarse con los discípulos; mas todos tenían miedo de él, no creyendo que era discípulo. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et étant arrivé à Jérusalem, il cherchait à se joindre aux disciples; et tous le craignaient, ne croyant pas qu’il soit disciple; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Als er aber nach Jerusalem gekommen war, versuchte er, sich den Jüngern anzuschließen; und alle fürchteten sich vor ihm, da sie nicht glaubten, daß er ein Jünger sei. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Cum autem venisset in Jerusalem, tentabat se jungere discipulis, et omnes timebant eum, non credentes quod esset discipulus. |