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Read the Bible

Good News Translation

Acts 9:22

But Saul's preaching became even more powerful, and his proofs that Jesus was the Messiah were so convincing that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not answer him.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Paul;   Syria;   Zeal, Religious;   Scofield Reference Index - Election;   Paul;   Thompson Chain Reference - Deterioration-Development;   Development, Spiritual;   Growth, Spiritual;   Jesus Christ;   Messiah, Jesus the;   Paul;   Spiritual;   Young Men;   Young People;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Damascus;   Paul;   Stephen;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Acts, book of;   Damascus;   Paul;   Syria;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Jesus Christ, Name and Titles of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ascension of Christ;   Generation, Eternal ;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Anoint;   Damascus;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Anoint;   Jesus Christ;   Paul;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Son of God;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronology of the New Testament;   Damascus;   Joppa;   Mark, Gospel According to;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Acts of the Apostles;   Aretas ;   Chosen One;   Christ, Christology;   Damascus, Damascenes;   Flight;   Growth Increase ;   Jew, Jewess;   Pre-Eminence ;   Preaching Christ;   Promise (2);   Voice;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Damascus;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Anointing;   Damascus;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Anointing,;   Damas'cus,;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Confound;   Gather;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for April 8;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
King James Version (1611)
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Iewes which dwelt at Damascus, proouing that this is very Christ.
King James Version
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
English Standard Version
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
New American Standard Bible
But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
New Century Version
But Saul grew more powerful. His proofs that Jesus is the Christ were so strong that his own people in Damascus could not argue with him.
Amplified Bible
But Saul increased in strength more and more, and continued to perplex the Jews who lived in Damascus by examining [theological evidence] and proving [with Scripture] that this Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Legacy Standard Bible
But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this One is the Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
Contemporary English Version
Saul preached with such power that he completely confused the Jewish people in Damascus, as he tried to show them that Jesus is the Messiah.
Complete Jewish Bible
But Sha'ul was being filled with more and more power and was creating an uproar among the Jews living in Dammesek with his proofs that Yeshua is the Messiah.
Darby Translation
But Saul increased the more in power, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Easy-to-Read Version
But Saul became more and more powerful in proving that Jesus is the Messiah. His proofs were so strong that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not argue with him.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But Saul encreased the more in strength, and confounded the Iewes which dwelt at Damascus, confirming, that this was that Christ.
George Lamsa Translation
But Saul became more powerful and he made the Jews who dwelt in Damascus tremble when he proved that Jesus is the Christ.
Lexham English Bible
But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this one is the Christ.
Literal Translation
But Saul was more filled with power, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ.
American Standard Version
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Bible in Basic English
But Saul went on increasing in power, and the Jews in Damascus were not able to give answers to the arguments by which he made it clear that Jesus was the Christ.
Hebrew Names Version
But Sha'ul increased more in strength, and confounded the Yehudim who lived at Dammesek, proving that this is the Messiah.
International Standard Version
But Saul grew more and more powerful and continued to confound the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this man was the Christ.[fn]Acts 18:28;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
BUT Shaol was the more strengthened, and moved those Jihudoyee who dwelt at Darmsuk, while he showed that this is the Meshiha.
Murdock Translation
But Saul was the more strengthened; and he confounded those Jews who dwelt at Damascus, while be demonstrated that this is the Messiah.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But Saule increased the more in strength, and confounded the Iewes whiche dwelt at Damasco, affirmyng that this was very Christe.
English Revised Version
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
World English Bible
But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Weymouth's New Testament
Saul, however, gained more and more influence, and as for the Jews living in Damascus, he bewildered them with his proofs that Jesus is the Christ.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But Saul myche more wexede strong, and confoundide the Jewis that dwelliden at Damask, and affermyde that this is Crist.
Update Bible Version
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Webster's Bible Translation
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
New English Translation
But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
New King James Version
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
New Living Translation
Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
New Life Bible
But Saul kept on growing in power. The Jews living in Damascus wondered about Saul's preaching. He was proving that Jesus was the Christ.
New Revised Standard
Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, Saul, was the more gaining power; and was confounding the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, shewing, by comparison, that - This, is the Christ.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Saul increased much more in strength and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, affirming that this is the Christ.
Revised Standard Version
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But Saul encreased in stregth and confounded the Iewes which dwelte at Damasco affirminge that this was very Christ.
Young's Literal Translation
And Saul was still more strengthened, and he was confounding the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But Saul increased in strength, & cofounded ye Iewes which dwelt at Damascon, and affirmed yt this was very Christ.
Mace New Testament (1729)
however Saul still gain'd ground, and confounded the Jews of Damascus, proving that Jesus was the Messias.
THE MESSAGE
But their suspicions didn't slow Saul down for even a minute. His momentum was up now and he plowed straight into the opposition, disarming the Damascus Jews and trying to show them that this Jesus was the Messiah.
Simplified Cowboy Version
But all this controversy just strengthened Saul's message, and he showed them God was with him by proving to a bunch of Jews living in Damascus that Jesus was the Top Hand everyone had been waiting on.

Contextual Overview

10 There was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. He had a vision, in which the Lord said to him, "Ananias!" "Here I am, Lord," he answered. 11 The Lord said to him, "Get ready and go to Straight Street, and at the house of Judas ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he might see again." 13 Ananias answered, "Lord, many people have told me about this man and about all the terrible things he has done to your people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come to Damascus with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who worship you." 15 The Lord said to him, "Go, because I have chosen him to serve me, to make my name known to Gentiles and kings and to the people of Israel. 16 And I myself will show him all that he must suffer for my sake." 17 So Ananias went, entered the house where Saul was, and placed his hands on him. "Brother Saul," he said, "the Lord has sent me—Jesus himself, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He sent me so that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 At once something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he was able to see again. He stood up and was baptized; 19 and after he had eaten, his strength came back. Saul stayed for a few days with the believers in Damascus.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

increased: Genesis 49:24, Job 17:9, Psalms 84:7, Isaiah 40:29, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Philippians 4:13

confounded: Acts 6:9, Acts 6:10, Acts 18:27, Acts 18:28, Luke 21:15, 1 Corinthians 1:27

proving: Acts 17:3, Acts 18:5, Acts 28:23, Luke 24:44, Luke 24:45

Reciprocal: Mark 1:22 - they were Luke 9:20 - The 2 Timothy 1:7 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 9:12
As a sign of this everlasting covenant which I am making with you and with all living beings,
Genesis 9:13
I am putting my bow in the clouds. It will be the sign of my covenant with the world.
Genesis 9:15
I will remember my promise to you and to all the animals that a flood will never again destroy all living beings.
Genesis 9:16
When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between me and all living beings on earth.
Genesis 9:19
These three sons of Noah were the ancestors of all the people on earth.
Genesis 9:20
Noah, who was a farmer, was the first man to plant a vineyard.
Genesis 9:21
After he drank some of the wine, he became drunk, took off his clothes, and lay naked in his tent.
Genesis 9:25
he said, "A curse on Canaan! He will be a slave to his brothers.
Genesis 10:6
The sons of Ham—Cush, Egypt, Libya, and Canaan—were the ancestors of the peoples who bear their names.
1 Chronicles 1:8
The sons of Ham—Cush, Egypt, Libya, and Canaan—were the ancestors of the peoples who bear their names.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But Saul increased the more in strength,.... Not of body, but of mind; his gifts and graces, and spiritual light and knowledge increased; his abilities were greater; his fortitude of mind, boldness, and freedom of speech, every day increased: he got more, and new, and fresh arguments, by which he himself was confirmed, and he confirmed others in the truths of Christ. Some copies read, "he was more strengthened in the word"; either in the word of God, having a clearer understanding, and being more confirmed in the truth of it; or in speech, being more ready and powerful in speaking it.

And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus; confuted them, and put them to silence, so that they had nothing to say for themselves, or against the truth:

proving that this is very Christ; by joining and knitting passages of Scripture in the Old Testament together, by producing and citing express testimonies from thence, and by comparing the prophecies and the characters of the Messiah in them, with Jesus of Nazareth, he proved to a demonstration that he must be the Messiah.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Increased the more in strength - His conviction of the truth of the Christian religion became stronger every day, and hence his moral strength or boldness increased.

And confounded - See Acts 2:6. The word here means “confuted.” It means also occasionally “to produce a tumult or excitement,” Acts 19:32; Acts 21:31. Perhaps the idea of producing such a tumor is intended to be conveyed here. Paul confuted the Jews, and by so doing he was the occasion of their tumultuous proceedings, or he so enraged them as to lead to great agitation and excitement - a very common effect of close and conclusive argumentation.

Proving that this - This Jesus.

Is very Christ - Greek: that this is the Christ. The word “very” means here simply in the Greek: ὁ Χριστός ho Christos. It means that Paul showed by strong and satisfactory arguments that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah. The arguments which he would use may be easily conceived, but the evangelist has not seen fit to record them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 9:22. Confounded the Jews — συνεχυνε, Overwhelmed them so with his arguments that they were obliged to blush for the weakness of their own cause.

Proving that this — ουτος, This person, viz. JESUS, is very Christ; εστιν ο χριστος, IS THE CHRIST, or Messiah. Acts 9:21.


 
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