Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ Θ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Ὁ δὲ Σαῦλος ἔτι ἐμπνέων ἀπειλῆς καὶ φόνου εἰς τοὺς μαθητὰς τοῦ κυρίου, προσελθὼν τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

Background / Scene-settingδέThe chapter opens with an adversative δέ restarting the narrative from 8:3. The participle ἐμπνέων ('breathing') is strikingly vivid — Saul's whole life-breath is menace and slaughter.
theNominativearticle (substantivizing subject)
δὲbutadversative/resumptive conjunction
ΣαῦλοςSaulNominativesubject nominative (proper name)Σαῦλος: Greek form of the Hebrew Sha'ul; the name used until 13:9 when 'Paul' is introduced.
ἔτιstilladverb of time
ἐμπνέωνbreathingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐμπνέωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ progressive present (ongoing state)ἐμπνέω: 'breathe in/into'; here 'breathe out' threats — a vivid metaphor: Saul's very breath is murderous (hapax in NT).
ἀπειλῆςof threatGenitivegenitive of content (object breathed)ἀπειλή: 'threat, menace'; paired with φόνος — together they describe the double character of persecution.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φόνουof murderGenitivegenitive of content (coordinated)φόνος: 'murder, slaughter'; Stephen's death (7:59–60) has intensified the campaign.
εἰςagainstpreposition + acc (hostile direction)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
μαθητὰςdisciplesAccusativeobject of εἰςμαθητής: 'disciple, learner'; Luke's usual term for the followers of Jesus in Acts.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of relationship / belongingκύριος: 'Lord'; the disciples belong to and are defined by the Lord — an irony as Saul is about to encounter that Lord.
προσελθὼνhaving goneAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · προσέρχομαιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist (simple prior action)προσέρχομαι: 'come/go to, approach'; common approach verb especially toward persons of authority.
τῷto theDativearticle
ἀρχιερεῖhigh priestDativedative of indirect object (approached)ἀρχιερεύς: 'high priest'; probably Caiaphas or his successor; the letters he issues reflect Sanhedrin authority extending to diaspora synagogues.
2

ᾐτήσατο παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἐπιστολὰς εἰς Δαμασκὸν πρὸς τὰς συναγωγάς, ὅπως ἐάν τινας εὕρῃ τῆς ὁδοῦ ὄντας, ἄνδρας τε καὶ γυναῖκας, δεδεμένους ἀγάγῃ εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ.

and requested from him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Continuation (main verb of v.1 period)asyndetonThe main verb ᾐτήσατο completes the sentence begun in v.1. 'The Way' (ἡ ὁδός) is Luke's earliest and most characteristic self-designation of the Christian movement (cf. 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22), perhaps echoing Isa 40:3.
ᾐτήσατοhe requestedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · αἰτέωmain verb→ constative aorist (single completed request)αἰτέω: 'ask, request'; middle voice emphasizes personal stake in the request.
παρ᾽frompreposition + gen (source)
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of source (the high priest)
ἐπιστολὰςlettersAccusativedirect objectἐπιστολή: 'letter'; official extradition warrants authorizing Saul to arrest followers of the Way in diaspora synagogues.
εἰςtopreposition + acc (destination)
ΔαμασκὸνDamascusAccusativeaccusative of destination (proper name)Δαμασκός: ancient Syrian capital, a major Jewish diaspora centre; ca. 240 km from Jerusalem.
πρὸςtopreposition + acc (addressed to)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
συναγωγάςsynagoguesAccusativeaccusative (addressee)συναγωγή: 'synagogue'; the local Jewish assembly exercised communal discipline over its members, hence the Sanhedrin's leverage.
ὅπωςso thatpurpose conjunction
ἐάνifconditional particle (third-class: open possibility)
τιναςanyAccusativeindefinite pronoun, direct object of εὕρῃ
εὕρῃhe might findAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of protasis (conditional subjunctive)→ constative aorist (finding as event)εὑρίσκω: 'find, discover'; third-class condition assumes open possibility.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ὁδοῦWayGenitivegenitive (partitive / belonging to)ὁδός: 'way, road'; here as self-designation of the Christian movement; possibly echoing Isa 40:3 ('prepare the way of the Lord').
ὄνταςbeingPres Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · εἰμίsupplementary participle (object complement with εὕρῃ τινας)→ progressive present (ongoing state)
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative in apposition to τιναςἀνήρ: 'man, male'; the specificity male-and-female underlines the thoroughness of the persecution.
τεbothcorrelative particle (τε ... καί: both … and)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (completing τε … καί)
γυναῖκαςwomenAccusativeaccusative in apposition (second member of τε … καί)γυνή: 'woman, wife'; women were active enough in the movement to be explicitly targeted.
δεδεμένουςboundPerf Pass Ptc Acc Pl Masc · δέωpredicative participle (object complement with ἀγάγῃ)→ intensive perfect (state of being bound)δέω: 'bind, tie'; the perfect participle indicates the bound condition in which they would be delivered.
ἀγάγῃhe might bringAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἄγωverb of apodosis (purpose clause, subjunctive)→ constative aorist (delivery as event)ἄγω: 'lead, bring'; the purpose of the mission is transport for trial in Jerusalem.
εἰςtopreposition + acc (destination)
ἸερουσαλήμJerusalemAccusativeaccusative of destination (proper name, indecl.)Ἰερουσαλήμ: the Semitic form preferred by Luke in Acts when emphasizing the city's Jewish-theological significance.
3

Ἐν δὲ τῷ πορεύεσθαι ἐγένετο αὐτὸν ἐγγίζειν τῇ Δαμασκῷ, ἐξαίφνης τε αὐτὸν περιήστραψεν φῶς ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ,

Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him,

Temporal frame / Narrative developmentδέThe temporal articular infinitive (ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι) is a Lukan idiom. ἐξαίφνης ('suddenly') marks the divine intrusion — the same word used at Pentecost (2:2). The compound περιαστράπτω is used only in the Damascus accounts.
Ἐνwhilepreposition + dat (temporal: ἐν + articular inf.)
δὲnowtransitional particle
τῷtheDativearticle (with articular inf.)
πορεύεσθαιtravelingPres Mid Inf · πορεύομαιarticular infinitive (temporal clause object of ἐν)→ progressive present (ongoing journey)πορεύομαι: 'go, travel, journey'; a Lukan favourite (ca. 51× in Luke–Acts).
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Lukan ἐγένετο + infinitive construction)→ constative aorist (event frame)γίνομαι: 'become, happen'; ἐγένετο + accusative + infinitive is a Lukan Septuagintal idiom.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (ἐγένετο αὐτὸν ἐγγίζειν)
ἐγγίζεινto be approachingPres Act Inf · ἐγγίζωinfinitive (subject clause of ἐγένετο)→ progressive present (drawing near)ἐγγίζω: 'draw near, approach'; the approach to Damascus is the moment the Lord chooses to intervene.
τῇtheDativearticle
ΔαμασκῷDamascusDativedative of place (approached)Δαμασκός: cf. v.2 note.
ἐξαίφνηςsuddenlyadverb of time (sudden onset)ἐξαίφνης: 'suddenly, unexpectedly'; in Acts also at 2:2 (Pentecost) and 22:6 — always marking a dramatic divine intervention.
τεandcontinuative particle (τε adds next clause)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of περιήστραψεν
περιήστραψενflashed aroundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · περιαστράπτωmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist (single sudden event)περιαστράπτω: 'flash/shine around'; compound of περί + ἀστράπτω; occurs in NT only in the Damascus accounts (9:3; 22:6) — the brilliance encircling Saul.
φῶςa lightNominativesubject nominativeφῶς: 'light'; theophanic light (cf. 22:6, 9; 26:13 'brighter than the sun') — the shekinah/glory of the risen Christ.
ἐκfrompreposition + gen (source/origin)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive of sourceοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; marks the divine origin of the light — from where God dwells.
4

καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἤκουσεν φωνὴν λέγουσαν αὐτῷ· Σαοὺλ Σαούλ, τί με διώκεις;

and falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'

Continuation (narrative sequence)καὶThe doubled vocative Σαοὺλ Σαούλ is the Semitic idiom of urgent divine address (cf. Gen 22:11; Exod 3:4; Luke 10:41; 22:31). The shift from the Greek form (Σαῦλος) to the Aramaic/Hebrew Σαούλ in the voice's speech is deliberate.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative sequence)
πεσὼνhaving fallenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · πίπτωattendant-circumstance participle (prior action)→ constative aorist (instantaneous fall)πίπτω: 'fall'; the prostration before the divine glory is involuntary — cf. Ezek 1:28; Rev 1:17.
ἐπὶonpreposition + acc (contact)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνgroundAccusativeaccusative of place (surface fallen upon)γῆ: 'earth, ground'; the concrete physical response to the overwhelming divine light.
ἤκουσενhe heardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aorist (single hearing event)ἀκούω: 'hear, listen to'; with accusative (φωνήν) here — hearing the sound (cf. genitive in v.7 for the companions).
φωνὴνa voiceAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσενφωνή: 'voice, sound'; the accusative marks Saul hearing it as articulate personal address (contrast v.7).
λέγουσανsayingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Fem · λέγωattributive participle (modifying φωνήν)→ progressive present (ongoing speech)
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object
ΣαοὺλSaulVocativevocative (doubled address — first instance)Σαούλ: the Semitic/Aramaic form of the name, used by the voice; the doubling is the idiom of urgent divine address.
ΣαούλSaulVocativevocative (doubled address — second instance)
τίwhyAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (adverbial accusative of reason)
μεmeAccusativedirect object of διώκεις
διώκειςare you persecutingPres Act Indic 2 Sg · διώκωmain verb of the direct question→ progressive present (ongoing action)διώκω: 'pursue, persecute'; the word bridges judicial pursuit and theological persecution — Jesus identifies himself with his persecuted people (cf. Matt 25:45).
5

εἶπεν δέ· Τίς εἶ, κύριε; ὁ δέ· Ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰησοῦς ὃν σὺ διώκεις·

And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting;'

Continuation (dialogue exchange)δέThe 'Ἐγώ εἰμι' formula — 'I am' — echoes the divine self-identification of the LXX (Exod 3:14); here it names the risen Jesus as the one whose people Saul has been persecuting. The unexpanded address in ch.9 (no goad saying) contrasts with ch.26 where the Western expansions are located.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist (single utterance)
δέandtransitional particle
ΤίςWhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate nominative)
εἶare youPres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula verb→ gnomic present (state of being)
κύριεLordVocativevocative (address)κύριος: 'Lord'; whether Saul uses this as a polite 'Sir' or has some recognition is debated; subsequent narrative makes it full confession.
heNominativearticle used as pronoun (subject of implied εἶπεν)
δέandtransitional particle (δέ with article as pronoun: 'and he')
ἘγώINominativeemphatic personal pronoun (subject)
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula / identification formula→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'I am'; the ἐγώ εἰμι formula evokes divine self-disclosure (Exod 3:14 LXX); here Jesus claims personal identity with the persecuted community.
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativepredicate nominative (identification)Ἰησοῦς: the earthly name now spoken by the heavenly Lord — the resurrection does not dissolve the continuity of personal identity.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun, direct object of διώκεις
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject of διώκεις
διώκειςare persecutingPres Act Indic 2 Sg · διώκωverb of relative clause→ progressive present (ongoing action)διώκω: repeating v.4 — the identification of Jesus with his people is reinforced by the repetition.
6

ἀλλὰ ἀνάστηθι καὶ εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ λαληθήσεταί σοι ὅ τί σε δεῖ ποιεῖν.

but rise and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.

Contrast / CommandἀλλάThe adversative ἀλλά pivots from revelation to command. The passive λαληθήσεταί ('it will be told') is a divine passive — God will communicate through an intermediary (Ananias, v.10ff). The δεῖ ('must') signals divine necessity.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
ἀνάστηθιriseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (imperative command)→ constative aorist (punctiliar command)ἀνίστημι: 'rise, stand up'; the command to rise from prostration; the same verb used of resurrection — theologically resonant in context.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἴσελθεenterAor Act Impv 2 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιsecond imperative (sequential command)→ constative aorist (punctiliar command)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, go into'; the road is not the end — Saul must enter Damascus for the next phase of revelation.
εἰςintopreposition + acc (destination)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative of destinationπόλις: 'city'; Damascus; the divine encounter ends on the road, but the mission continues in the city.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λαληθήσεταίit will be toldFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (divine passive)→ predictive futureλαλέω: 'speak, tell'; the passive avoids naming God directly — a divine passive of communication.
σοιto youDativedative of indirect object
whatNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ποιεῖν in indirect discourse)
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (indirect question embedded in relative)
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive ποιεῖν
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb of necessity→ gnomic present (divine necessity)δεῖ: 'it is necessary, must'; one of Luke's key words for divine compulsion — Saul is now under a divine must.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (object of δεῖ)→ progressive present (ongoing doing)ποιέω: 'do, make'; what Saul must do will be disclosed — the mission ahead is already determined.
7

οἱ δὲ ἄνδρες οἱ συνοδεύοντες αὐτῷ εἱστήκεισαν ἐνεοί, ἀκούοντες μὲν τῆς φωνῆς μηδένα δὲ θεωροῦντες.

The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

Contrasting detail (companions' experience)δέA parenthetical contrast between Saul's full experience and the companions' partial one: they heard sound (genitive φωνῆς — inarticulate noise) but saw nothing. The tension with 22:9 (they 'did not hear the voice') is resolved by the Greek case distinction — genitive vs. accusative of ἀκούω.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing participle)
δὲnowtransitional/contrastive particle
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject nominativeἀνήρ: 'man'; the escort; probably temple police or synagogue officers.
οἱtheNominativearticle (attributive with participle)
συνοδεύοντεςtraveling withPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · συνοδεύωattributive participle (modifying ἄνδρες)→ progressive present (ongoing travel)συνοδεύω: 'travel together with'; compound of σύν + ὁδεύω; hapax in NT — a vivid word for the journey-companions.
αὐτῷhimDativedative of association (συνοδεύω + dat.)
εἱστήκεισανstoodPlupf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb→ pluperfect (resultant state: they had come to a halt and were standing)ἵστημι: 'stand'; the pluperfect εἱστήκεισαν describes the resulting state of standing — halted in place.
ἐνεοίspeechlessNominativepredicate adjectiveἐνεός: 'speechless, dumb'; a classical Greek word; their silence reflects overwhelming awe.
ἀκούοντεςhearingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωcircumstantial participle (concessive/manner)→ progressive present (ongoing hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear'; with genitive φωνῆς — they heard a sound but not articulate, personal address (cf. the accusative at v.4 for Saul).
μὲνon the one handcorrelative particle (μέν … δέ: on the one hand … on the other)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούοντες (sound-hearing)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; genitive = they heard the sound; contrast 22:9 accusative = they did not hear it as meaningful address.
μηδέναno oneAccusativedirect object of θεωροῦντες (negative)μηδείς: 'no one, nobody'; the complete absence of visible form — only Saul saw the risen Christ.
δὲbutcontrastive particle (second member of μέν … δέ)
θεωροῦντεςseeingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · θεωρέωcircumstantial participle (parallel to ἀκούοντες)→ progressive presentθεωρέω: 'see, observe'; stronger/more deliberate seeing than ὁράω — they were looking but saw nothing visible.
8

ἠγέρθη δὲ Σαῦλος ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀνεῳγμένων δὲ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ οὐδὲν ἔβλεπεν· χειραγωγοῦντες δὲ αὐτὸν εἰσήγαγον εἰς Δαμασκόν.

Saul rose from the ground, but when his eyes were opened he could see nothing; and they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

Narrative consequenceδέThe paradox: eyes opened yet seeing nothing (blindness as judgment and grace — cf. Isa 6:9–10; John 9). The genitive absolute ἀνεῳγμένων τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ underlines the contrast. The hand-leading (χειραγωγέω) reduces the persecutor to dependency.
ἠγέρθηroseAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ constative aorist (single act of rising)ἐγείρω: 'raise, wake'; passive — 'he was raised'; the same verb used of Jesus' resurrection, lending the action quiet resonance.
δὲandtransitional particle
ΣαῦλοςSaulNominativesubject nominative
ἀπὸfrompreposition + gen (separation/origin)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςgroundGenitivegenitive of separationγῆ: 'earth, ground'; rising from the place of prostration.
ἀνεῳγμένωνhaving been openedPerf Pass Ptc Gen Pl Masc · ἀνοίγωgenitive absolute (concessive: 'though his eyes were opened')→ intensive perfect (state of being open)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; the perfect participle stresses the state — eyes permanently open, yet nothing visible: the paradox of spiritual blindness.
δὲbutcontrastive particle
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (part of genitive absolute)
ὀφθαλμῶνeyesGenitivegenitive absolute (subject)ὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the organ named explicitly for the irony: open eyes that cannot see.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (within genitive absolute)
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object (negative)οὐδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the absolute negation — total blindness, not partial impairment.
ἔβλεπενhe was seeingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · βλέπωmain verb (second clause)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing inability)βλέπω: 'see, look at'; the imperfect emphasizes the ongoing state of unseeing — not a momentary but a sustained blindness.
χειραγωγοῦντεςleading by the handPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · χειραγωγέωattendant-circumstance participle→ progressive present (ongoing leading)χειραγωγέω: 'lead by the hand'; compound of χείρ ('hand') + ἀγωγή; vivid term for the humiliation — the persecutor must be guided like a child. Same word at 22:11.
δὲandtransitional particle
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εἰσήγαγον
εἰσήγαγονthey brought inAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσάγωmain verb (third clause)→ constative aorist (completed action)εἰσάγω: 'bring in, lead into'; the irony: Saul came to arrest others, but is himself led helplessly into the city.
εἰςintopreposition + acc (destination)
ΔαμασκόνDamascusAccusativeaccusative of destination (proper name)Δαμασκός: cf. v.2 note; the city he came to purge becomes the place of his transformation.
9

καὶ ἦν ἡμέρας τρεῖς μὴ βλέπων, καὶ οὐκ ἔφαγεν οὐδὲ ἔπιεν.

And for three days he was without sight, and he neither ate nor drank.

Continuation (state description)καὶThe three-day period of blindness, fasting, and prayer parallels Moses (Deut 9:9, 18) and Jesus in the tomb. The triple deprivation — sight, food, drink — marks a liminal passage: the old Saul dies before the new Paul is born.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἦνhe wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic construction with μὴ βλέπων)→ progressive imperfect (extended state)
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of time (duration: 'for three days')ἡμέρα: 'day'; three days of liminal transformation — blindness awaiting the healer's touch.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)τρεῖς: 'three'; a symbolically loaded number — cf. Jonah's three days, Jesus's three days; the period of death and new life.
μὴnotnegative particle (with participle)
βλέπωνseeingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · βλέπωperiphrastic participle (with ἦν: 'was not seeing')→ progressive present (ongoing blindness)βλέπω: cf. v.8 — the same verb maintaining the thread of unseeing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative adverb (with indicative)
ἔφαγενhe ateAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb→ constative aorist (covering the three-day period)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the suppletive aorist ἔφαγεν (from φάγω) — fasting in crisis is a biblical motif (Moses, Elijah, Jesus).
οὐδὲnorcoordinating negative particle
ἔπιενhe drankAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίνωsecond main verb (coordinated with ἔφαγεν)→ constative aorist (three-day abstinence)πίνω: 'drink'; complete physical deprivation; Saul enters Damascus as one dead, awaiting renewal.
10

Ἦν δέ τις μαθητὴς ἐν Δαμασκῷ ὀνόματι Ἁνανίας, καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐν ὁράματι ὁ κύριος· Ἁνανία. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἰδοὺ ἐγώ, κύριε.

Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord.'

New scene introductionδέThe scene shifts to Damascus and a new character, Ananias — introduced with the Lukan τις formula. The vision-dialogue structure (Lord calls by name; servant answers 'Here I am') echoes OT call narratives (Gen 22:11; 1 Sam 3:4). Ananias's 'Here I am, Lord' (Ἰδοὺ ἐγώ) is the classic response of the biblical servant.
Ἦνthere wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: ἦν τις = 'there was a certain')→ progressive imperfect (ongoing state of existence)
δέnowtransitional/scene-shift particle
τιςa certainNominativeindefinite pronoun (predicative with ἦν: 'there was a certain')
μαθητὴςdiscipleNominativesubject nominativeμαθητής: 'disciple'; Ananias is introduced simply as 'a disciple' — not an apostle, a fact that underscores the Spirit working through ordinary believers.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ΔαμασκῷDamascusDativedative of placeΔαμασκός: Damascus; this disciple lives in the very city Saul came to purge.
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of reference / qualification ('by name Ananias')ὄνομα: 'name'; Lukan idiom: 'a certain X by name Y'.
ἉνανίαςAnaniasNominativenominative in apposition (name introduced by ὀνόματι)Ἁνανίας: a common Jewish name (Hebrew Hananiah = 'Yahweh is gracious'); three different people so named in Acts.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
πρὸςtopreposition + acc (address toward)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative (person addressed)
ἐνinpreposition + dat (sphere/medium of revelation)
ὁράματιa visionDativedative of sphere/meansὅραμα: 'vision'; the standard channel of divine communication in Acts (cf. 10:3, 17, 19; 16:9, 10; 18:9).
theNominativearticle (with κύριος)
κύριοςLordNominativesubject nominativeκύριος: 'Lord'; here the risen Jesus (cf. v.17: 'the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road').
ἉνανίαAnaniasVocativevocative (direct address)Ἁνανίας: the vocative of the name; a single call rather than the doubled urgency of Saul's name.
heNominativearticle as pronoun (subject: 'he')
δὲandtransitional particle (with article as pronoun)
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ἸδοὺBeholdattention-marker / interjectionἰδού: 'here, behold'; introducing the servant's response — 'Here I am' echoes the OT pattern (Gen 22:1, 11; Exod 3:4; Isa 6:8).
ἐγώINominativeemphatic personal pronoun (subject of implied εἰμί)
κύριεLordVocativevocative (address)κύριος: 'Lord'; Ananias's response is that of the willing servant — 'Here I am, Lord.'
11

ὁ δὲ κύριος πρὸς αὐτόν· Ἀναστὰς πορεύθητι ἐπὶ τὴν ῥύμην τὴν καλουμένην Εὐθεῖαν καὶ ζήτησον ἐν οἰκίᾳ Ἰούδα Σαῦλον ὀνόματι Ταρσέα· ἰδοὺ γὰρ προσεύχεται,

And the Lord said to him, 'Rise and go to the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas a man named Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he is praying,

Command / revelation continuationδέThe Lord supplies precise coordinates: a named street, a named house, a named person. The 'Straight Street' (ἡ Εὐθεῖα) of Damascus can be identified with the modern via recta. The ἰδοὺ γάρ introduces the explanatory ground for the mission.
theNominativearticle (with κύριος)
δὲandtransitional particle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject nominativeκύριος: 'Lord'; the risen Jesus directing events with divine precision.
πρὸςtopreposition + acc (address toward; verb εἶπεν implied)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative (person addressed)
Ἀναστὰςhaving risenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀνίστημιattendant-circumstance participle (prior to main command)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: 'rise'; cf. v.6 — the same verb links Ananias's commission to Saul's initial command.
πορεύθητιgoAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain imperative→ constative aorist (single mission)πορεύομαι: 'go, travel'; deponent passive form; the direct divine commission to Ananias.
ἐπὶtopreposition + acc (direction toward)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ῥύμηνstreetAccusativeaccusative of destinationῥύμη: 'narrow street, alley'; more specific than ὁδός — a named lane.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with attributive participle)
καλουμένηνcalledPres Pass Ptc Acc Sg Fem · καλέωattributive participle (modifying ῥύμην: 'the street called...')→ progressive presentκαλέω: 'call, name'; the street known by this name.
ΕὐθεῖανStraightAccusativepredicate accusative (name of street)εὐθύς: 'straight, direct'; 'Straight Street' — the great Roman via recta of Damascus, still traceable today.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ζήτησονseekAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ζητέωsecond imperative→ constative aoristζητέω: 'seek, look for'; the man Ananias must find is the very persecutor the disciples flee.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
οἰκίᾳhouseDativedative of placeοἰκία: 'house, household'; the address is precise — divine omniscience locating the blind man.
Ἰούδαof JudasGenitivegenitive of possession (whose house)Ἰούδας: Judas; probably a Jewish householder of Damascus — otherwise unknown.
ΣαῦλονSaulAccusativedirect object of ζήτησονΣαῦλος: cf. v.1.
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of referenceὄνομα: 'name'; same idiom as v.10.
Ταρσέαa TarsianAccusativeaccusative in apposition (further identification of Saul)Ταρσεύς: 'a man from Tarsus'; Tarsus in Cilicia, a major city and university town — Paul's proud civic identity (22:3).
ἰδοὺfor beholdattention-marker (with γάρ)ἰδού: 'behold, look'; introducing the explanatory ground.
γὰρforcausal/explanatory conjunction
προσεύχεταιhe is prayingPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb (explanatory clause)→ progressive present (ongoing prayer)προσεύχομαι: 'pray'; Saul's three days of blindness are three days of prayer — the persecutor has already turned to the Lord.
12

καὶ εἶδεν ἄνδρα ὀνόματι Ἁνανίαν εἰσελθόντα καὶ ἐπιθέντα αὐτῷ χεῖρας ὅπως ἀναβλέψῃ.

and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might recover his sight.'

Continuation (parallel vision)καὶThe double vision (Ananias in v.10 and Saul here) is a Lukan device establishing the divine coordination of both parties. Saul has already seen Ananias coming — the Lord prepares both sides simultaneously.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶδενhe has seenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aorist (completed visionary experience)ὁράω: 'see'; the suppletive aorist εἶδεν — Saul, though physically blind, has received a vision.
ἄνδραa manAccusativedirect object of εἶδενἀνήρ: 'man'; Saul sees Ananias as a man — the vision is specific and personal.
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of referenceὄνομα: cf. vv. 10–11.
ἉνανίανAnaniasAccusativeaccusative in apposition (the name)Ἁνανίας: the same Ananias now receiving the vision — the two visions interlock.
εἰσελθόνταcoming inAor Act Ptc Acc Sg Masc · εἰσέρχομαιsupplementary participle (object complement with εἶδεν ἄνδρα)→ constative aorist (entering as event)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; Saul's vision previews the action Ananias will perform.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιθένταlayingAor Act Ptc Acc Sg Masc · ἐπιτίθημιsupplementary participle (second object complement with εἶδεν)→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'lay upon, place on'; the laying on of hands for healing and Spirit-reception (vv.17; cf. 8:17).
αὐτῷon himDativedative of indirect object (or dative of advantage)
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθένταχείρ: 'hand'; the laying on of hands is the gesture of blessing, healing, and commissioning.
ὅπωςso thatpurpose conjunction
ἀναβλέψῃhe might see againAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀναβλέπωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ constative aorist (restoration as event)ἀναβλέπω: 'look up, regain sight'; the ἀνά prefix can mean recovery of lost sight — cf. v.17, 18.
13

ἀπεκρίθη δὲ Ἁνανίας· Κύριε, ἤκουσα ἀπὸ πολλῶν περὶ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς τούτου, ὅσα κακὰ τοῖς ἁγίοις σου ἐποίησεν ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ·

But Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem;'

Objection / CounterδέAnanias's protest is not doubt but honest report — he voices what every Damascus disciple knows. His information grounds the reader's understanding of the stakes. The title 'your saints' (τοῖς ἁγίοις σου) locates the persecuted as belonging to God.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, respond'; deponent; here a response to the divine command rather than a question.
δὲbutcontrastive/transitional particle
ἉνανίαςAnaniasNominativesubject nominative
ΚύριεLordVocativevocative (respectful address)κύριος: 'Lord'; full acknowledgment of the Lord's authority even while raising a concern.
ἤκουσαI have heardAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ consummative aorist (reporting what has been heard)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the perfect-like aorist reports intelligence received — Saul's reputation has spread.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + gen (source of report)
πολλῶνmanyGenitivegenitive of source (informants)πολύς: 'many'; the testimony of the whole Damascus community — Saul's notoriety is widespread.
περὶaboutpreposition + gen (subject matter)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνδρὸςmanGenitivegenitive of referenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the demonstrative τούτου makes 'this man' pointed — Ananias identifies him as a known, feared figure.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative pronoun (attributive genitive)
ὅσαhow many thingsAccusativerelative/correlative pronoun (direct object of ἐποίησεν)
κακὰevilAccusativeaccusative adjective (predicate complement, 'evil things')κακός: 'evil, bad'; the word of moral judgment — not merely inconvenient acts but morally evil deeds.
τοῖςto theDativearticle
ἁγίοιςsaintsDativedative of disadvantage (evil done against)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the standard NT term for believers as God's consecrated people; here 'your saints' — they belong to the Lord.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (belonging to the Lord)
ἐποίησενhe didAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the sum of past deeds)ποιέω: 'do, make'; the aorist summarises the whole campaign — Stephen, the scattered church, the imprisonments of 8:3.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ἸερουσαλήμJerusalemDativedative of placeἸερουσαλήμ: cf. v.2 note — the Semitic form, appropriate in the context of Jewish religious violence.
14

καὶ ὧδε ἔχει ἐξουσίαν παρὰ τῶν ἀρχιερέων δῆσαι πάντας τοὺς ἐπικαλουμένους τὸ ὄνομά σου.

and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.'

Continuation (Ananias's objection)καὶAnanias adds the present danger: Saul has authority to arrest in Damascus too. 'Those who call on your name' is a significant christological phrase — invoking the name of Jesus Christ as Lord (cf. Joel 2:32; Rom 10:13).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὧδεhereadverb of place (in Damascus, as opposed to Jerusalem)ὧδε: 'here, in this place'; the danger is present and local, not merely past.
ἔχειhe hasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ progressive present (current possession of authority)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the present tense underlines ongoing danger — the authority is still active.
ἐξουσίανauthorityAccusativedirect objectἐξουσία: 'authority, power, right'; official delegated authority — the letters of v.2 are still in his possession.
παρὰfrompreposition + gen (source of authority)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀρχιερέωνchief priestsGenitivegenitive of source (those delegating the authority)ἀρχιερεύς: 'chief priest'; plural here — the Jerusalem Sanhedrin's priestly leadership collectively.
δῆσαιto bindAor Act Inf · δέωepexegetic infinitive (explaining the authority: authority to bind)→ constative aoristδέω: 'bind'; cf. v.2 δεδεμένους — the binding motif runs through the passage.
πάνταςallAccusativeaccusative (direct object of δῆσαι, universal scope)πᾶς: 'all, every'; the scope of the persecution is total — no follower of Jesus is exempt.
τοὺςthe onesAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)
ἐπικαλουμένουςcalling onPres Mid Ptc Acc Pl Masc · ἐπικαλέωsubstantival participle (object of δῆσαι)→ progressive present (ongoing practice of calling on the name)ἐπικαλέω: 'call upon, invoke'; the middle voice with the name of Jesus is the technical phrase for Christian prayer/worship (cf. 2:21; Rom 10:12–13; 1 Cor 1:2).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομάnameAccusativedirect object of ἐπικαλουμένουςὄνομα: 'name'; invoking 'your name' (Jesus' name as Lord) is the defining mark of Christian belonging.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
15

εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος· Πορεύου, ὅτι σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς ἐστίν μοι οὗτος τοῦ βαστάσαι τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐνώπιον ἐθνῶν τε καὶ βασιλέων υἱῶν τε Ἰσραήλ·

But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for this man is a chosen instrument for me to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;'

Divine overrule / counter-responseδέThe Lord's answer overrules the objection with a single word (Πορεύου) followed by a clause of divine purpose. 'Chosen instrument' (σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς) is a stunning reversal — the destroyer is now God's vessel. The three-fold mission audience (Gentiles, kings, Israel) previews the whole of Acts 13–28.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
δὲbutcontrastive particle
πρὸςtopreposition + acc (address toward)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative (person addressed = Ananias)
theNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject nominativeκύριος: 'Lord'; the risen Jesus, whose plans override human hesitation.
ΠορεύουGoPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain imperative (divine command overruling objection)→ progressive present (go, get going)πορεύομαι: 'go'; the single commanding word — the objection is dismissed without argument.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
σκεῦοςa vesselNominativepredicate nominative (subject complement)σκεῦος: 'vessel, instrument, tool'; the metaphor of a person as God's instrument — LXX background and Pauline usage (2 Cor 4:7; Rom 9:21–23) confirm the rich resonance.
ἐκλογῆςof electionGenitivegenitive of quality ('chosen instrument')ἐκλογή: 'election, choice, selection'; Paul becomes THE chosen one — echoing the language of Israel's election and the Servant of Isaiah.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present (permanent designation)
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage / possession (my instrument)
οὗτοςthis manNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject nominative)
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with purpose infinitive: τοῦ βαστάσαι)
βαστάσαιcarryAor Act Inf · βαστάζωgenitive articular infinitive (purpose: 'in order to carry')→ constative aoristβαστάζω: 'carry, bear'; used of bearing a load — Paul's mission is to carry the Name as a burden and a treasure.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομάnameAccusativedirect object of βαστάσαιὄνομα: 'name'; the Name of Jesus as the content and power of the apostolic mission.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + gen (in the presence of)ἐνώπιον: 'in front of, before'; a Lukan and LXX word for presence/audience.
ἐθνῶνGentilesGenitivegenitive (object of ἐνώπιον, first audience)ἔθνος: 'nation, Gentile'; the primary audience of Paul's mission — the great programmatic preview of Acts 13–28.
τεandcorrelative particle (τε … καί … τε: and … and … and)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second member)
βασιλέωνkingsGenitivegenitive (second audience)βασιλεύς: 'king'; Paul before Agrippa (26:1) and Caesar (27:24) fulfils this.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (third audience)υἱός: 'son'; 'sons of Israel' — the Jewish mission is listed last but not least; Paul's synagogue-first strategy (13:5, 14; 14:1 etc.) fulfils this.
τεandcorrelative particle (completing the τε … καί … τε chain)
Ἰσραήλof IsraelGenitivegenitive (proper name modifying υἱῶν)Ἰσραήλ: the covenant name of the people of God — Paul's mission encompasses both Jews and Gentiles.
16

ἐγὼ γὰρ ὑποδείξω αὐτῷ ὅσα δεῖ αὐτὸν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματός μου παθεῖν.

For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.

Explanation (ground for the mission-commissioning)γάρThe explanatory γάρ grounds the audacity of the commission: Saul the persecutor will become the persecuted. The divine 'I will show' (ὑποδείξω) places the suffering curriculum in God's own teaching. The vocabulary of δεῖ παθεῖν ('must suffer') echoes the passion predictions — Saul now enters the way of the cross.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic personal pronoun (subject)
γὰρforcausal/explanatory conjunction
ὑποδείξωI will showFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ὑποδείκνυμιmain verb→ predictive futureὑποδείκνυμι: 'show, demonstrate, reveal'; the Lord promises to personally reveal the suffering ahead — it will not catch Saul unawares.
αὐτῷhimDativedative of indirect object
ὅσαhow many thingsAccusativerelative/correlative pronoun (direct object of ὑποδείξω)
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb of necessity→ gnomic present (divine necessity)δεῖ: 'must, it is necessary'; cf. v.6 — divine compulsion now extended to suffering.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive παθεῖν
ὑπὲρforpreposition + gen (on behalf of / for the sake of)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ὀνόματόςnameGenitivegenitive (object of ὑπέρ: for the sake of the name)ὄνομα: 'name'; the Name that Paul will bear (v.15) is also the Name for which he will suffer — the two go inseparably together.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
παθεῖνto sufferAor Act Inf · πάσχωcomplementary infinitive (object of δεῖ)→ constative aoristπάσχω: 'suffer, experience'; the passion-vocabulary entering Saul's narrative — cf. 2 Cor 11:23–27 for the catalog's fulfilment.
17

Ἀπῆλθεν δὲ Ἁνανίας καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν, καὶ ἐπιθεὶς ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας εἶπεν· Σαοὺλ ἀδελφέ, ὁ κύριος ἀπέσταλκέν με, Ἰησοῦς ὁ ὀφθείς σοι ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ᾗ ἤρχου, ὅπως ἀναβλέψῃς καὶ πλησθῇς πνεύματος ἁγίου.

So Ananias departed and entered the house, and laying his hands on him said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me — Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came — so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'

Narrative fulfilment (obedience to command)δέAnanias obeys without further protest. The address 'Brother Saul' (Σαοὺλ ἀδελφέ) is striking — the persecutor is already a brother before baptism. The double purpose clause (ἀναβλέψῃς … πλησθῇς) links sight-restoration and Spirit-reception as a single gift.
ἈπῆλθενdepartedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (immediate obedient departure)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away, depart'; the prompt obedience contrasts with his initial hesitation.
δὲsotransitional particle (resultant action)
ἉνανίαςAnaniasNominativesubject nominative
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰσῆλθενenteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιsecond main verb (sequential action)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the vision of v.12 is now fulfilled — Ananias enters the house.
εἰςintopreposition + acc (destination)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκίανhouseAccusativeaccusative of destinationοἰκία: cf. v.11 — the house of Judas on Straight Street.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιθεὶςlayingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιτίθημιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'lay upon'; cf. v.12 — the predicted action of the vision now performed.
ἐπ᾽onpreposition + acc (contact)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative (person on whom hands are laid)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθεὶςχείρ: cf. v.12.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ΣαοὺλSaulVocativevocative (address — Aramaic form)Σαούλ: cf. v.4 — the same form the risen Lord used, now on Ananias's lips.
ἀδελφέbrotherVocativevocative (address — kinship term)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the most startling word in the sentence — Ananias addresses the persecutor as a brother in Christ before baptism.
theNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject nominativeκύριος: 'Lord'; the risen Jesus, immediately identified in apposition as Jesus who appeared on the road.
ἀπέσταλκένhas sentPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ intensive perfect (the sending stands — Ananias is a current envoy)ἀποστέλλω: 'send, commission'; the perfect underlines that the commission is still in force — Ananias comes as a current messenger of the risen Lord.
μεmeAccusativedirect object
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativenominative in apposition (identifying ὁ κύριος)Ἰησοῦς: the earthly name — the Lord who appeared is the same Jesus of Nazareth.
the oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)
ὀφθείςwho appearedAor Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ὁράωattributive participle (identifying clause for Ἰησοῦς)→ constative aorist (single appearance event)ὁράω: 'see, appear'; the passive 'appeared' is the standard resurrection-appearance verb (1 Cor 15:5–8).
σοιto youDativedative of indirect object (person to whom Jesus appeared)
ἐνonpreposition + dat (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὁδῷroadDativedative of placeὁδός: 'road, way'; cf. v.2 'the Way' — the Damascus road is the place of encounter.
on whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of place, modifying ὁδῷ)
ἤρχουyou were comingImpf Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of relative clause→ progressive imperfect (ongoing journey)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; Saul was in the act of coming — the imperfect captures the journey-in-progress.
ὅπωςso thatpurpose conjunction
ἀναβλέψῃςyou might see againAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἀναβλέπωverb of purpose clause (first: sight restoration)→ constative aoristἀναβλέπω: 'look up, regain sight'; cf. v.12 — the purpose envisioned by the Lord is now spoken aloud.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πλησθῇςyou might be filledAor Pass Subj 2 Sg · πίμπλημιverb of purpose clause (second: Spirit-filling)→ constative aoristπίμπλημι: 'fill'; always used in Acts for the Spirit's fullness (2:4; 4:8, 31; 13:9) — Saul will receive what all believers receive.
πνεύματοςwith SpiritGenitivegenitive of content (filled with)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit — the gift that marks initiation into the community of the risen Christ.
ἁγίουHolyGenitivegenitive adjective (modifying πνεύματος)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the Spirit of God, the promised gift of the risen Lord.
18

καὶ εὐθέως ἀπέπεσαν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν ὡσεὶ λεπίδες, ἀνέβλεψέν τε καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐβαπτίσθη,

And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and rising up he was baptized;

Narrative fulfilment (physical and sacramental)καὶThe 'scales' (λεπίδες) is a medical hapax; Luke the physician uses precise terminology. The εὐθέως ('immediately') echoes the urgency of divine action throughout Acts. The double τε … καί marks the inseparability of sight-restoration and baptism.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐθέωςimmediatelyadverb of time (immediate onset)εὐθέως: 'immediately, at once'; the Lukan form of the Markan εὐθύς — divine action is instantaneous.
ἀπέπεσανfell offAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποπίπτωmain verb→ constative aorist (instantaneous event)ἀποπίπτω: 'fall off, fall away'; compound of ἀπό + πίπτω; used here and nowhere else in the NT — a precise term for the scales detaching.
αὐτοῦfrom himGenitivegenitive of separation (from him — his eyes)
ἀπὸfrompreposition + gen (separation)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ὀφθαλμῶνeyesGenitivegenitive of separation (from the eyes)ὀφθαλμός: cf. v.8 — the eyes that were opened yet sightless now receive the scales' departure.
ὡσεὶas it werecomparative particle (approximation: 'something like')ὡσεί: 'as if, like'; Luke uses approximating comparisons for spiritual/physical phenomena (cf. 2:3 'tongues as of fire').
λεπίδεςscalesNominativesubject nominativeλεπίς: 'scale, flake'; medical term (from λέπω, 'to peel'); NT hapax — Luke the physician notes the precise symptom of the blindness's resolution.
ἀνέβλεψένhe regained his sightAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβλέπωmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist (restoration accomplished)ἀναβλέπω: cf. vv.12, 17 — the thrice-announced purpose is now fulfilled.
τεandcorrelative particle (τε … καί: linking sight and baptism)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (completing τε … καί)
ἀναστὰςhaving risenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀνίστημιattendant-circumstance participle (prior to baptism)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: cf. vv. 6, 11 — 'rise' threads through the chapter.
ἐβαπτίσθηhe was baptizedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · βαπτίζωmain verb→ constative aoristβαπτίζω: 'baptize'; passive — administered by Ananias; the public, sacramental entry into the community of Christ.
19

καὶ λαβὼν τροφὴν ἐνίσχυσεν. Ἐγένετο δὲ μετὰ τῶν ἐν Δαμασκῷ μαθητῶν ἡμέρας τινάς,

and taking food he was strengthened. He was with the disciples in Damascus for some days,

Continuation (post-baptism recovery and community)καὶThe verse breaks naturally into two halves: the physical recovery (food and strength) and the communal integration (with the disciples). The three days of fasting (v.9) are now reversed. 'He was with the disciples' marks Saul's full incorporation into the body he had persecuted.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λαβὼνhaving takenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; the first food after three days of fasting — the fast is broken.
τροφὴνfoodAccusativedirect object of λαβὼντροφή: 'food, nourishment'; cf. 27:33–36 where Paul again urges taking food after a fast.
ἐνίσχυσενhe was strengthenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐνισχύωmain verb→ constative aorist (recovery accomplished)ἐνισχύω: 'strengthen, become strong'; used by Luke of the angelic strengthening of Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43) — a resonance with Saul's liminal struggle.
Ἐγένετοhe wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (second sentence: Lukan idiom = 'it came about that / he was')→ constative aorist (establishing new situation)γίνομαι: 'be, become, happen'; the Lukan narrative resumption marking a new situation.
δὲandtransitional particle
μετὰwithpreposition + gen (accompaniment)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location; attributive to μαθητῶν)
ΔαμασκῷDamascusDativedative of placeΔαμασκός: cf. v.2 — the city Saul came to purge is now the community that receives him.
μαθητῶνdisciplesGenitivegenitive (object of μετά: with the disciples)μαθητής: 'disciple'; those whom Saul came to arrest are now his brothers — the conversion is complete.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of time (duration)ἡμέρα: 'day'; contrast the precise three days of v.9 — now an indefinite, open-ended time of fellowship.
τινάςsomeAccusativeindefinite adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)τις: 'certain, some'; the vagueness is intentional — this period of nurturing has no fixed boundary.
20

καὶ εὐθέως ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς ἐκήρυσσεν τὸν Ἰησοῦν ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ.

and immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Continuation (first apostolic activity)καὶThe εὐθέως marks the immediacy — Saul's first act in Damascus is to preach in the very synagogues he came to exploit for arrests. The content is the highest Christology: 'Jesus is the Son of God' (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ) — a title rare in Acts (only here) but central to Paul's letters.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐθέωςimmediatelyadverb of timeεὐθέως: cf. v.18 — the urgency of the new convert's witness.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
συναγωγαῖςsynagoguesDativedative of placeσυναγωγή: cf. v.2 — the same institutions whose arrest-authority Saul carried; now the venue for his preaching.
ἐκήρυσσενhe was proclaimingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κηρύσσωmain verb→ inceptive imperfect (began proclaiming and continued)κηρύσσω: 'proclaim, herald'; the missionary proclamation verb; the imperfect captures the repeated, ongoing preaching activity.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativedirect object (the content of proclamation)Ἰησοῦς: the earthly name — Saul preaches the personal Jesus he has just encountered.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause: the substance of the proclamation)
οὗτόςthis oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present (permanent truth)
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; 'the Son of God' — the highest Christological title; occurs in Acts only here and at 13:33 (Ps 2 citation). The former persecutor now proclaims the very identity the Damascus road revealed.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationshipθεός: 'God'; the Son of God — the same title that brackets the Gospel of Mark and here stands at the center of Paul's inaugural Damascene preaching.
21

ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες οἱ ἀκούοντες καὶ ἔλεγον· οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ πορθήσας ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ τοὺς ἐπικαλουμένους τὸ ὄνομα τοῦτο, καὶ ὧδε εἰς τοῦτο ἐληλύθει ἵνα δεδεμένους αὐτοὺς ἀγάγῃ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς;

And all who heard were astonished and said, 'Is not this the man who devastated in Jerusalem those who called on this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound to the chief priests?'

Reaction (crowd response)δέThe crowd's response verbalizes the stunning reversal. The imperfects (ἐξίσταντο, ἔλεγον) describe repeated, ongoing astonishment. The rare verb πορθέω ('devastate, destroy') — used elsewhere only at Gal 1:13, 23 in Paul's own testimony — establishes the gravity of his former role.
ἐξίσταντοthey were astonishedImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐξίστημιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing, repeated astonishment)ἐξίστημι: 'be amazed, be out of one's mind'; a strong term for overwhelming astonishment — the reaction is sustained and widespread.
δὲandtransitional particle
πάντεςallNominativesubject nominative (universal scope)πᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the hearers — no exception.
οἱthe onesNominativearticle (substantivizing participle)
ἀκούοντεςhearingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωsubstantival participle (subject in apposition with πάντες)→ progressive presentἀκούω: 'hear'; those listening to the preaching — both Jewish synagogue-goers and the Christian disciples.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔλεγονwere sayingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωsecond main verb (iterative imperfect)→ iterative imperfect (said again and again)λέγω: 'say'; the imperfect captures the repeated exclamations.
οὐχis notnegative particle (expecting affirmative answer: οὐχ … ;)
οὗτόςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (rhetorical question)→ gnomic present
the oneNominativearticle (substantivizing participial phrase)
πορθήσαςwho devastatedAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · πορθέωsubstantival participle (predicate with ἐστιν)→ constative aorist (the totality of past destruction)πορθέω: 'devastate, lay waste, destroy'; a military term — Saul's persecution was like an army's sack of a city. Used by Paul himself at Gal 1:13, 23.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ἸερουσαλὴμJerusalemDativedative of placeἸερουσαλήμ: cf. v.2, 13.
τοὺςthe onesAccusativearticle (substantivizing participle)
ἐπικαλουμένουςcalling onPres Mid Ptc Acc Pl Masc · ἐπικαλέωsubstantival participle (direct object of πορθήσας)→ progressive presentἐπικαλέω: cf. v.14 — the same phrase 'those calling on the name' — now clearly those Saul had attacked.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἐπικαλουμένουςὄνομα: 'name'; cf. v.15 — 'this name' avoids saying 'Jesus' explicitly (a realistic detail; synagogue speakers might avoid it).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (attributive, 'this name')
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second rhetorical question)
ὧδεhereadverb of place (in Damascus)ὧδε: cf. v.14.
εἰςforpreposition + acc (purpose)
τοῦτοthis purposeAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of εἰς, anticipating ἵνα clause)
ἐληλύθειhe had comePlupf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb of second question→ pluperfect (prior purpose: he had come here in order to...)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the pluperfect marks the prior intent — he came with this purpose already in mind.
ἵναin order topurpose conjunction
δεδεμένουςboundPerf Pass Ptc Acc Pl Masc · δέωpredicative participle (object complement with ἀγάγῃ αὐτούς)→ intensive perfectδέω: cf. v.2 δεδεμένους — the binding motif comes full circle in the crowd's recollection.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀγάγῃ
ἀγάγῃhe might bringAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἄγωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ constative aoristἄγω: cf. v.2 — the same purpose is recalled verbatim by the crowd.
ἐπὶbeforepreposition + acc (before, in the presence of)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀρχιερεῖςchief priestsAccusativeaccusative (persons before whom they would be brought)ἀρχιερεύς: cf. v.14.
22

Σαῦλος δὲ μᾶλλον ἐνεδυναμοῦτο καὶ συνέχυννεν Ἰουδαίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Δαμασκῷ, συμβιβάζων ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός.

But Saul grew more and more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, demonstrating that this is the Christ.

Contrast / intensificationδέRather than being deterred by the crowd's astonishment, Saul's power grows. The verb συμβιβάζω ('demonstrating, proving by bringing together') is the technical term for reasoned argument from Scripture — Saul the trained rabbi turns his apologetic skill to the very thesis he once opposed.
ΣαῦλοςSaulNominativesubject nominative
δὲbutcontrastive particle
μᾶλλονmore and moreadverb of degree (comparative: 'all the more')μᾶλλον: 'more, rather'; the astonishment of opposition becomes the fuel for greater boldness.
ἐνεδυναμοῦτοwas being empoweredImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐνδυναμόωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (growing, ongoing empowerment)ἐνδυναμόω: 'strengthen, empower'; a Pauline word (Phil 4:13; 1 Tim 1:12; 2 Tim 4:17); the passive suggests divine agency — God was strengthening him.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνέχυννενwas confoundingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · συγχύνωsecond main verb (iterative imperfect)→ iterative imperfect (repeatedly confounding)συγχύνω: 'confuse, confound, throw into disorder'; a vivid term — Saul's arguments left the opposition in intellectual disarray.
ἸουδαίουςJewsAccusativedirect object of συνέχυννενἸουδαῖος: 'Jew'; the Jewish community of Damascus — the specific audience Saul came to exploit.
τοὺςthe onesAccusativearticle (substantivizing participle)
κατοικοῦνταςlivingPres Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · κατοικέωattributive participle (modifying Ἰουδαίους)→ progressive present (permanent residents)κατοικέω: 'dwell, reside'; distinguishing permanent residents from visitors.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ΔαμασκῷDamascusDativedative of placeΔαμασκός: cf. v.2.
συμβιβάζωνdemonstratingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · συμβιβάζωcircumstantial participle (manner/means of confounding)→ progressive present (ongoing argumentation)συμβιβάζω: 'bring together, prove, demonstrate'; from συμ + βιβάζω ('lead together'); the technical term for reasoned proof by assembling evidence — rabbinic argumentation applied to the messiahship of Jesus.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of demonstration)
οὗτόςthis oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present (enduring truth)
theNominativearticle
ΧριστόςChristNominativepredicate nominativeΧριστός: 'the Anointed/Messiah'; the claim that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ of Israel's expectation — the heart of the synagogue proclamation.
23

Ὡς δὲ ἐπληροῦντο ἡμέραι ἱκαναί, συνεβουλεύσαντο οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν·

When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him;

Temporal transition (new crisis)δέThe 'many days' of v.23 create a temporal gap; Paul in Gal 1:17 mentions a stay in Arabia and a return to Damascus — Luke compresses this into 'many days.' The plot to kill him begins the suffering promised in v.16.
Ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δὲnowtransitional particle
ἐπληροῦντοwere being fulfilledImpf Pass Indic 3 Pl · πληρόωmain verb of temporal clause→ progressive imperfect (ongoing passage of time)πληρόω: 'fill, complete, fulfil'; used idiomatically of time being filled/completed — a Lukan expression (cf. Luke 1:57; 2:6).
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject nominative (days as subject)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the days themselves are the subject — 'many days were being completed.'
ἱκαναίsufficient/manyNominativepredicate adjective / attributive (modifying ἡμέραι)ἱκανός: 'sufficient, considerable, many'; a Lukan idiom for an extended but unspecified period.
συνεβουλεύσαντοplottedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · συμβουλεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (conspiracy formed)συμβουλεύω: 'advise, conspire'; middle voice — to take counsel together, to conspire; the first open death-threat against Saul.
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubject nominativeἸουδαῖος: cf. v.22 — the Jewish opposition in Damascus, now moved to fatal action.
ἀνελεῖνto killAor Act Inf · ἀναιρέωcomplementary infinitive (object of συνεβουλεύσαντο)→ constative aoristἀναιρέω: 'take away, kill, remove'; the usual Lukan word for violent killing (cf. 2:23; 5:33; 7:28).
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀνελεῖν
24

ἐγνώσθη δὲ τῷ Σαύλῳ ἡ ἐπιβουλὴ αὐτῶν. παρετηροῦντο δὲ καὶ τὰς πύλας ἡμέρας τε καὶ νυκτὸς ὅπως αὐτὸν ἀνέλωσιν·

but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night in order to kill him;

Narrative continuation (discovery of the plot)δέThe plot is discovered — by what means Luke does not say (divine providence implied). The imperfect παρετηροῦντο captures the ongoing surveillance. 2 Cor 11:32–33 adds that the governor under Aretas had the city guarded, fitting the same event.
ἐγνώσθηbecame knownAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (divine passive implied)→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know'; passive — 'it was made known'; the divine passive suggests God alerting Saul.
δὲbutcontrastive particle
τῷto theDativearticle
ΣαύλῳSaulDativedative of advantage (it became known to)Σαῦλος: cf. v.1.
theNominativearticle
ἐπιβουλὴplotNominativesubject nominativeἐπιβουλή: 'plot, scheme, laying in wait'; from ἐπί + βουλή; a term for calculated ambush — used of plots against Paul four times in Acts (9:24; 20:3, 19; 23:30).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (their plot)
παρετηροῦντοthey were watchingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · παρατηρέωmain verb (second clause)→ progressive imperfect (continuous surveillance)παρατηρέω: 'watch carefully, observe'; middle — they watched for themselves/their own purposes; the ongoing nature underlines the sustained threat.
δὲandtransitional particle
καὶalsoadverbial particle (adding detail)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
πύλαςgatesAccusativedirect object of παρετηροῦντοπύλη: 'gate'; the city gates — the only exits from a walled city; 2 Cor 11:32 adds that a military guard was posted.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive of time (during the day)ἡμέρα: 'day'; genitive of time marking the daytime half of the surveillance.
τεandcorrelative particle (τε … καί: both … and)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νυκτὸςof nightGenitivegenitive of time (during the night)νύξ: 'night'; continuous, round-the-clock surveillance — no escape through the gates.
ὅπωςin order thatpurpose conjunction
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀνέλωσιν
ἀνέλωσινthey might killAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀναιρέωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ constative aoristἀναιρέω: cf. v.23 — the same murder-intent stated twice for emphasis.
25

λαβόντες δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς διὰ τοῦ τείχους καθῆκαν αὐτὸν χαλάσαντες ἐν σπυρίδι.

but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Counter-action (escape)δέThe escape in the basket reverses Saul's self-sufficient entrance on the Damascus road. Paul mentions this in 2 Cor 11:33, using σαργάνη ('rope basket') — a slight variation; Luke uses σπυρίς (a larger wicker basket, cf. the feeding of the 4,000). 'His disciples' marks his first community of followers.
λαβόντεςtakingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · λαμβάνωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; here 'taking hold of him' — a tender act of the community protecting its new member.
δὲbutcontrastive particle
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubject nominativeμαθητής: 'disciple'; 'his disciples' — Saul already has his own followers from his Damascus preaching.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his disciples)
νυκτὸςby nightGenitivegenitive of time (at night)νύξ: 'night'; cover of darkness — cf. the exodus-imagery of fleeing by night.
διὰthroughpreposition + gen (through, by way of)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
τείχουςwallGenitivegenitive (path through: via an opening in the wall)τεῖχος: 'wall'; the city wall — houses were often built into or against the city wall; a window allowed the lowering.
καθῆκανlet downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθίημιmain verb→ constative aorist (single act of lowering)καθίημι: 'let down, lower'; used for lowering a person or object; cf. the paralytic through the roof (Luke 5:19) — humiliating but life-saving.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
χαλάσαντεςloweringAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · χαλάωattendant-circumstance participle (means of letting down)→ constative aoristχαλάω: 'lower, let down'; a nautical term (lowering a sail, net, anchor); here the method of escape.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (the container used)
σπυρίδιa basketDativedative (means/instrument: in a basket)σπυρίς: a large wicker basket; the same word used for the seven baskets in the feeding of the 4,000 (Matt 15:37); in 2 Cor 11:33 Paul uses σαργάνη — perhaps a different local term for the same container.
26

Παραγενόμενος δὲ εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἐπείραζεν κολλᾶσθαι τοῖς μαθηταῖς· καὶ πάντες ἐφοβοῦντο αὐτόν, μὴ πιστεύοντες ὅτι ἐστὶν μαθητής.

And when he arrived in Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

Narrative transition (arrival in Jerusalem)δέThe disciples' fear is understandable — they know Saul only as persecutor (8:1–3). The imperfect ἐπείραζεν ('kept attempting') suggests repeated, frustrated effort. The negative participle μὴ πιστεύοντες encapsulates their skepticism.
Παραγενόμενοςhaving arrivedAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παραγίνομαιtemporal/attendant participle (prior to main verb)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive, come to'; a Lukan favorite for a person's arrival at a new location.
δὲandtransitional particle
εἰςinpreposition + acc (destination / location of arrival)
ἸερουσαλὴμJerusalemAccusativeaccusative of destinationἸερουσαλήμ: cf. v.2 — the city Saul operated from now becomes the scene of his rejected return.
ἐπείραζενhe was attemptingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · πειράζωmain verb→ conative imperfect (tried but was frustrated)πειράζω: 'attempt, try, test'; the conative imperfect — he kept trying to join them but could not.
κολλᾶσθαιto joinPres Mid Inf · κολλάωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐπείραζεν)→ progressive presentκολλάω: 'join, attach, cling to'; a vivid word — to be glued to, to attach oneself to; the very persistence of the image underlines his earnest desire for acceptance.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativedative (person joined: κολλάω + dat.)μαθητής: 'disciple'; the Jerusalem community.
καὶbutadversative/coordinating conjunction
πάντεςallNominativesubject nominativeπᾶς: 'all'; universal fear — not a single Jerusalem believer trusted him.
ἐφοβοῦντοwere afraidImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing fear)φοβέομαι: 'fear, be afraid'; deponent; the ongoing, sustained fear of the community toward the former persecutor.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐφοβοῦντο
μὴnotnegative particle (with participle)
πιστεύοντεςbelievingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · πιστεύωcausal participle (because they did not believe)→ progressive presentπιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; the community could not yet believe the report of his conversion.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of disbelief)
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present
μαθητήςa discipleNominativepredicate nominativeμαθητής: 'disciple'; they could not accept that the persecutor had become a follower — it seemed too dangerous to believe.
27

Βαρναβᾶς δὲ ἐπιλαβόμενος αὐτὸν ἤγαγεν πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους καὶ διηγήσατο αὐτοῖς πῶς ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἶδεν τὸν κύριον καὶ ὅτι ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ, καὶ πῶς ἐν Δαμασκῷ ἐπαρρησιάσατο ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ Ἰησοῦ.

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and told them how on the road he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

Counter-action (Barnabas as mediator)δέBarnabas ('Son of Encouragement,' 4:36) lives up to his name by vouching for Saul. The three elements of his account (the road vision, the dialogue, the bold preaching) constitute the evidence of authentic conversion. Barnabas is the bridge between the old persecutor and the new community.
ΒαρναβᾶςBarnabasNominativesubject nominativeΒαρναβᾶς: introduced at 4:36 as 'Son of Encouragement'; a Levite from Cyprus; Paul's first sponsor and later missionary partner.
δὲbutcontrastive particle
ἐπιλαβόμενοςtaking hold ofAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιλαμβάνωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristἐπιλαμβάνω: 'take hold of, grasp'; middle — a concrete act of taking Saul by the hand/arm and bringing him in person.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπιλαβόμενος
ἤγαγενbroughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἄγωmain verb→ constative aoristἄγω: 'lead, bring'; the verb threads through the chapter — Saul was going to bring others bound (v.2), was himself led (v.8), now Barnabas brings him to the apostles.
πρὸςtopreposition + acc (direction toward persons)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀποστόλουςapostlesAccusativeaccusative (persons brought to)ἀπόστολος: 'apostle, sent one'; the Twelve (or their representatives in Jerusalem) — the authoritative community Saul needed to be accepted by.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διηγήσατοhe toldAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · διηγέομαιsecond main verb→ constative aorist (full account given)διηγέομαι: 'narrate fully, recount'; a thorough narrative — Barnabas gives a complete account, not a summary.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object
πῶςhowindirect question particle (content of narrative, first item)
ἐνonpreposition + dat (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὁδῷroadDativedative of placeὁδός: cf. v.17 — the Damascus road.
εἶδενhe sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωverb of indirect question→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the appearance of the risen Lord — the first element of Barnabas's testimony.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativedirect objectκύριος: the risen Christ — seeing the Lord constitutes Paul's apostleship (1 Cor 9:1; 15:8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second element of account)
ὅτιthatconjunction (second content clause of διηγήσατο)
ἐλάλησενhe spokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb of ὅτι clause→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; the Lord spoke to him — the content of the commission is implied.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (third element of account)
πῶςhowindirect question particle (third content element)
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ΔαμασκῷDamascusDativedative of placeΔαμασκός: cf. v.2.
ἐπαρρησιάσατοhe spoke boldlyAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παρρησιάζομαιmain verb of πῶς clause→ constative aoristπαρρησιάζομαι: 'speak freely, boldly, with parrhesia'; the verb of apostolic frank speech — 'bold speech' marks the authentic missionary (cf. 9:29; 13:46; 14:3).
ἐνinpreposition + dat (sphere / in the power of)
τῷtheDativearticle
ὀνόματιnameDativedative of sphere/authority ('in the name of')ὄνομα: cf. vv.14, 15, 21 — the Name that runs as a thread through the chapter.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive of possessionἸησοῦς: the personal name — Barnabas specifies exactly whose name was invoked.
28

καὶ ἦν μετ᾽ αὐτῶν εἰσπορευόμενος καὶ ἐκπορευόμενος ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ, παρρησιαζόμενος ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ κυρίου,

and he was going in and out with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord,

Continuation (settled activity)καὶThe double participial expression εἰσπορευόμενος καὶ ἐκπορευόμενος ('going in and out') is a Hebraic idiom for normal daily movement — a settled, integrated life in the Jerusalem community (cf. Num 27:17; Deut 31:2; Acts 1:21).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἦνhe wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic with participles)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing fellowship)
μετ᾽withpreposition + gen (accompaniment)
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive of accompaniment
εἰσπορευόμενοςgoing inPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · εἰσπορεύομαιperiphrastic participle (with ἦν: first half of idiom)→ progressive present (normal coming-and-going)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter, go in'; paired with ἐκπορεύομαι — the Hebraic idiom for normal movement in community.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (completing the idiom)
ἐκπορευόμενοςgoing outPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐκπορεύομαιperiphrastic participle (second half of idiom)→ progressive presentἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out, exit'; with εἰσπορεύομαι — living the ordinary integrated communal life.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ἸερουσαλήμJerusalemDativedative of placeἸερουσαλήμ: cf. v.2 — the full circle: from Jerusalem persecutor to Jerusalem preacher.
παρρησιαζόμενοςspeaking boldlyPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παρρησιάζομαιcircumstantial participle (manner of living among them)→ progressive present (ongoing bold speech)παρρησιάζομαι: cf. v.27 — Barnabas testified to Damascus boldness; now the same boldness is exercised in Jerusalem.
ἐνinpreposition + dat (authority sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
ὀνόματιnameDativedative of sphere/authorityὄνομα: cf. v.27.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; cf. v.27 'the name of Jesus' — the two are equivalent titles for the risen Christ.
29

ἐλάλει τε καὶ συνεζήτει πρὸς τοὺς Ἑλληνιστάς· οἱ δὲ ἐπεχείρουν ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν.

and he was speaking and disputing with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him.

Continuation (Jerusalem ministry and new threat)τεSaul targets the Hellenistic Jews (Greek-speaking diaspora Jews) — the same group Stephen debated (6:9), and whose synagogues had plotted Stephen's death. History repeats: the same opponents now seek Saul's life.
ἐλάλειhe was speakingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing activity)λαλέω: 'speak'; the missionary speech — the same activity as in Damascus.
τεandcorrelative particle (τε … καί)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνεζήτειwas disputingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · συζητέωsecond main verb (iterative imperfect)→ iterative imperfect (ongoing debates)συζητέω: 'dispute, debate together'; the rabbinic dialogue method — point and counter-point argumentation.
πρὸςwithpreposition + acc (debate with)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἙλληνιστάςHellenistsAccusativeaccusative (debate partners)Ἑλληνιστής: 'Hellenist'; Greek-speaking Jew (cf. 6:1; 11:20); Paul's natural debate audience — he is himself Hellenized (Tarsus) yet Torah-trained.
οἱtheyNominativearticle as pronoun (subject: 'but they')
δὲbutcontrastive particle (with article as pronoun)
ἐπεχείρουνwere attemptingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιχειρέωmain verb (conative imperfect)→ conative imperfect (tried but did not succeed)ἐπιχειρέω: 'undertake, attempt, try to'; from ἐπί + χείρ ('lay hands on'); the conative imperfect marks the attempt without success.
ἀνελεῖνto killAor Act Inf · ἀναιρέωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐπεχείρουν)→ constative aoristἀναιρέω: cf. vv.23, 24 — the murder-attempt is now repeated in Jerusalem, mirroring Damascus.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀνελεῖν
30

ἐπιγνόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ κατήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς Καισάρειαν καὶ ἐξαπέστειλαν αὐτὸν εἰς Ταρσόν.

And when the brothers learned of this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Rescue / transitionδέThe Jerusalem church protects Saul by sending him away — just as the Damascus disciples had lowered him over the wall (v.25). Tarsus is his home city (22:3). Paul's Jerusalem visit is the one Gal 1:18–19 describes — 'fifteen days' with Peter and James.
ἐπιγνόντεςhaving learnedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιγινώσκωtemporal/causal participle (prior to main verb)→ constative aoristἐπιγινώσκω: 'know fully, recognize, learn'; the compound emphasizes full awareness of the danger.
δὲandtransitional particle
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject nominativeἀδελφός: 'brother'; the Jerusalem believers — the same family-language Ananias used in v.17.
κατήγαγονbrought downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κατάγωmain verb→ constative aoristκατάγω: 'lead down, bring down'; from Jerusalem (in the hills) down to Caesarea (the coastal city) — geographically accurate.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
εἰςtopreposition + acc (destination)
ΚαισάρειανCaesareaAccusativeaccusative of destination (proper name)Καισάρεια: Caesarea Maritima, the major port city on the Mediterranean coast — the port for sailing to Tarsus in Cilicia.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξαπέστειλανsent offAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξαποστέλλωsecond main verb→ constative aoristἐξαποστέλλω: 'send out, dispatch'; the compound intensifies the dispatch — they sent him fully away, ensuring his departure.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
εἰςtopreposition + acc (destination)
ΤαρσόνTarsusAccusativeaccusative of destination (proper name)Ταρσός: Paul's home city in Cilicia (22:3); he will remain there until Barnabas retrieves him for Antioch (11:25–26) — a hidden decade of ministry.
31

Ἡ μὲν οὖν ἐκκλησία καθ᾽ ὅλης τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Γαλιλαίας καὶ Σαμαρείας εἶχεν εἰρήνην, οἰκοδομουμένη καὶ πορευομένη τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ κυρίου, καὶ τῇ παρακλήσει τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος ἐπληθύνετο.

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

Summary / transition (narrative pause)μὲν οὖνThis is a classic Lukan 'summary verse,' marking the end of one narrative phase and the transition to the next. The μὲν οὖν signals a concluding summary. The singular ἐκκλησία covers Judea, Galilee, and Samaria — the three regions of Acts 1:8's mandate. The Western text has a plural (ἐκκλησίαι, 'churches') but the Alexandrian singular is more likely original.
TheNominativearticle
μὲνnowparticle (μὲν οὖν: inferential/summarizing)
οὖνthereforeinferential/transitional particle (μὲν οὖν combined)οὖν: 'therefore, so'; paired with μέν as a Lukan transitional formula marking a summary or pivot.
ἐκκλησίαchurchNominativesubject nominativeἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; singular — the one church across three regions, echoing Acts 1:8's geographical mandate (Judea, Samaria, the ends of the earth).
καθ᾽throughoutpreposition + gen (distributive: throughout all of)
ὅληςallGenitivegenitive adjective (modifying Ἰουδαίας)ὅλος: 'whole, all'; the geographical totality — no corner of the region excluded.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἸουδαίαςJudeaGenitivegenitive of place (within the distributive phrase)Ἰουδαία: 'Judea'; the southern region, including Jerusalem — the heart of Jewish Christianity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΓαλιλαίαςGalileeGenitivegenitive of place (second region)Γαλιλαία: 'Galilee'; the northern region — surprisingly its church receives little narrative attention in Acts but was certainly established (cf. Luke 8:1–3; 24:6).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣαμαρείαςSamariaGenitivegenitive of place (third region)Σαμάρεια: 'Samaria'; cf. 8:1–25 — Philip's mission there has already been narrated.
εἶχενhadImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing state of peace)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the church possessed peace — a divinely given state, not merely an absence of conflict.
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativedirect objectεἰρήνη: 'peace'; the cessation of Saul's persecution (v.1) has brought external peace; but also the shalom of the messianic community.
οἰκοδομουμένηbeing built upPres Pass Ptc Nom Sg Fem · οἰκοδομέωcircumstantial participle (manner/result)→ progressive present (ongoing building)οἰκοδομέω: 'build, edify'; the architectural metaphor for community growth — the church as a house being built (cf. 1 Cor 14; Eph 2:20–22).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πορευομένηwalkingPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Fem · πορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (manner: moral/spiritual conduct)→ progressive presentπορεύομαι: 'go, walk'; used ethically for conduct of life — 'walking in the fear of the Lord' is OT wisdom-language (Prov 1:7; Ps 19:9).
τῷin theDativearticle
φόβῳfearDativedative of sphere/manner (walking in the fear)φόβος: 'fear, reverence'; 'fear of the Lord' is the OT foundation of covenant life — here applied to the new covenant community.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of relationship (fear directed toward the Lord)κύριος: 'Lord'; in the OT this was fear of YHWH; in Acts, the Lord is Jesus — the title has been christologically transferred.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇtheDativearticle
παρακλήσειcomfortDativedative of means (by the comfort of the Holy Spirit)παράκλησις: 'comfort, encouragement, exhortation'; the Spirit's role as Paraclete — the same root (παρακαλέω) that names Barnabas ('son of παρακλήσεως').
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἁγίουHolyGenitivegenitive adjective (modifying πνεύματος)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the Holy Spirit as the agent of the church's encouragement.
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive (source of the comfort)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; cf. v.17 — the Spirit fills Saul; here the same Spirit comforts and multiplies the church.
ἐπληθύνετοwas multipliedImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · πληθύνωsecond main verb (divine passive)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing numerical growth)πληθύνω: 'multiply, increase'; passive — God multiplies the church; cf. Gen 1:28 LXX and Acts 6:1, 7 — the growth of the new creation-community.
32

Ἐγένετο δὲ Πέτρον διερχόμενον διὰ πάντων κατελθεῖν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδα.

Now it came about that as Peter was traveling through all regions, he came down also to the saints who lived in Lydda.

New scene (shift to Peter's ministry)δέThe narrative shifts to Peter, who was last seen in 8:25 returning to Jerusalem. The Lukan idiom ἐγένετο + accusative + infinitive introduces the new episode. Lydda (Lod) is ca. 40 km NW of Jerusalem on the coastal plain.
Ἐγένετοit came aboutAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Lukan ἐγένετο + acc. + inf.)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: cf. v.3 — the same narrative-opening device.
δὲnowtransitional particle (scene-shift)
ΠέτρονPeterAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (Lukan construction)Πέτρος: Simon Peter — named again after the Saul narrative; he re-enters as the focal apostle for the next two episodes.
διερχόμενονtraveling throughPres Mid Ptc Acc Sg Masc · διέρχομαιparticipial phrase (attendant circumstance with κατελθεῖν)→ progressive presentδιέρχομαι: 'travel through, pass through'; cf. Philip at 8:4, 40 — apostolic itineration characterizes the growth of the church.
διὰthroughpreposition + gen (through all regions)
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive (regions/all places: neuter)πᾶς: 'all'; 'through all [regions]' — comprehensive apostolic visitation.
κατελθεῖνto come downAor Act Inf · κατέρχομαιinfinitive (subject of ἐγένετο)→ constative aoristκατέρχομαι: 'come down, descend'; from the Judean hills down to the coastal plain of Lydda.
καὶalsoadverbial particle (even, also — including Lydda in the circuit)
πρὸςtopreposition + acc (direction toward persons)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)
ἁγίουςsaintsAccusativeaccusative (persons visited)ἅγιος: cf. v.13 — 'your saints' there, 'the saints' here; the established community of believers at Lydda.
τοὺςthe onesAccusativearticle (with attributive participle)
κατοικοῦνταςlivingPres Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · κατοικέωattributive participle (modifying ἁγίους)→ progressive presentκατοικέω: cf. v.22 — resident inhabitants.
ΛύδδαLyddaAccusativeaccusative of place (where they lived)Λύδδα: Hebrew Lod; ca. 40 km NW of Jerusalem on the Shephelah/coastal plain; site of the healing miracle about to be narrated.
33

εὗρεν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπόν τινα ὀνόματι Αἰνέαν ἐξ ἐτῶν ὀκτὼ κατακείμενον ἐπὶ κραβάττῳ, ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος.

And he found there a man named Aeneas who had been lying on a mat for eight years, for he was paralyzed.

Scene-setting (the patient)δέThe description is precise and medical: the name, the duration (eight years), the posture (lying on a mat), the diagnosis (paralyzed). The perfect participle παραλελυμένος ('having been paralyzed') marks a condition of long standing. The name Aeneas is Greek, suggesting a Hellenistic setting.
εὗρενhe foundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ constative aorist (single discovery)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; cf. v.2 — God directs Peter to find the one who needs healing.
δὲandtransitional particle
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (in Lydda)ἐκεῖ: 'there, in that place'; at Lydda.
ἄνθρωπόνa manAccusativedirect object of εὗρενἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; the general term before the name is given — building anticipation.
τιναa certainAccusativeindefinite pronoun (attributive with ἄνθρωπόν)
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of referenceὄνομα: cf. vv.10–11.
ΑἰνέανAeneasAccusativeaccusative in apposition (the name)Αἰνέας: a Greek name (the Trojan hero); a Hellenized Jew or Gentile God-fearer.
ἐξforpreposition + gen (duration: from a point eight years back)
ἐτῶνyearsGenitivegenitive of time (duration of illness)ἔτος: 'year'; eight years — a long, hopeless paralysis.
ὀκτὼeightGenitivenumeral (modifying ἐτῶν)ὀκτώ: 'eight'; the precise medical history.
κατακείμενονlyingPres Mid Ptc Acc Sg Masc · κατάκειμαιsupplementary participle (object complement with εὗρεν)→ progressive present (ongoing state of lying)κατάκειμαι: 'lie down, recline'; the posture of the bedridden invalid.
ἐπὶonpreposition + dat (on)
κραβάττῳa matDativedative of place (surface on which he lies)κράβαττος: a poor man's pallet or sleeping mat (a Latin loanword); cf. the paralytic of Mark 2:4 who also lay on a κράβαττος — the parallel with Jesus' healing is intentional.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of explanatory clause)
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (periphrastic with participle)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing condition)
παραλελυμένοςparalyzedPerf Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παραλύωperiphrastic participle (with ἦν: predicate — 'was [in a state of having been] paralyzed')→ intensive perfect (resultant state of lasting paralysis)παραλύω: 'paralyze, loosen'; perfect passive = the limbs have been loosed and remain so; a medical term (Luke 5:18, 24; 13:11; Acts 8:7).
34

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος· Αἰνέα, ἰᾶταί σε Ἰησοῦς Χριστός· ἀνάστηθι καὶ στρῶσον σεαυτῷ. καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη.

And Peter said to him, 'Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.' And immediately he rose.

Narrative action (the healing)καὶPeter's formula is carefully structured: first the agent (Jesus Christ), then the present-tense healing (ἰᾶταί — 'is healing you,' not 'will heal'), then the command to act on the healing. The εὐθέως marks instantaneous divine action. The imperative 'make your bed' (στρῶσον σεαυτῷ) proves the completeness of the cure.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object
theNominativearticle
ΠέτροςPeterNominativesubject nominativeΠέτρος: cf. v.32.
ΑἰνέαAeneasVocativevocative (direct address)Αἰνέας: cf. v.33; addressed by name — personal, direct healing.
ἰᾶταίhealsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἰάομαιmain verb (healing declaration)→ instantaneous present (the healing happens as the words are spoken)ἰάομαι: 'heal, cure'; the present tense is performative — the speaking is the healing; Jesus Christ is the active healer, Peter merely the herald.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἰᾶταί
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject nominativeἸησοῦς: the healer is named first — not Peter, but Jesus Christ.
ΧριστόςChristNominativeapposition (title with Ἰησοῦς)Χριστός: cf. v.22 — the full double name grounds the healing in his messianic authority.
ἀνάστηθιriseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίστημιfirst command (to the healed man)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: cf. vv.6, 11, 17 — the 'rise' motif threads the entire chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
στρῶσονmakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · στρώννυμιsecond command (proof of healing)→ constative aoristστρώννυμι: 'spread, make (a bed)'; the command to prepare his own mat or couch — the paralytic who could not move now makes his bed, proving the completeness of the cure.
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive: for himself)σεαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; 'make your own bed' — the reflexive emphasizes self-sufficient action; cf. Mark 2:11's similar post-healing command.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐθέωςimmediatelyadverb of time (instantaneous result)εὐθέως: cf. vv.18, 20 — the hallmark of divine action.
ἀνέστηhe roseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (result)→ constative aorist (instantaneous rise)ἀνίστημι: cf. vv.6, 11, 17, 34 — the 'rise' verb closes the healing with irresistible completeness.
35

καὶ εἶδαν αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδα καὶ τὸν Σαρῶνα, οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον.

And all those who lived in Lydda and the Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Result (mass conversion)καὶThe evangelistic result is regional: Lydda and the whole Sharon plain (the coastal plain from Joppa to Caesarea). 'Turned to the Lord' (ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον) is the Lukan conversion formula — a single physical healing precipitating communal conversion.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶδανsawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the healed man is evidence — people saw and responded.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (the healed Aeneas)
πάντεςallNominativesubject nominativeπᾶς: cf. v.21 — the totality of the population witnesses.
οἱthe onesNominativearticle (substantivizing participle)
κατοικοῦντεςlivingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · κατοικέωsubstantival participle (subject in apposition with πάντες)→ progressive presentκατοικέω: cf. vv.22, 32 — the resident population of the region.
ΛύδδαLyddaAccusativeaccusative of place (where they lived)Λύδδα: cf. v.32.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΣαρῶναSharonAccusativeaccusative of place (second region)Σαρών: the Sharon plain, the fertile coastal plain of Palestine stretching from Joppa/Jaffa northward — a large populated area.
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐπέστρεψαν)
ἐπέστρεψανturnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb of relative clause→ constative aorist (decisive turning)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn, return, convert'; the conversion verb in Acts (3:19; 14:15; 15:19; 26:20); 'turned to the Lord' is the summary of genuine conversion.
ἐπὶtopreposition + acc (direction of turning — toward the Lord)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativeaccusative (person turned to = object of ἐπί)κύριος: 'Lord'; the risen Jesus — turning to the Lord is turning to Jesus Christ.
36

Ἐν Ἰόππῃ δέ τις ἦν μαθήτρια ὀνόματι Ταβιθά, ἣ διερμηνευομένη λέγεται Δορκάς· αὕτη ἦν πλήρης ἔργων ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἐλεημοσυνῶν ὧν ἐποίει.

Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which translated means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity that she did.

New scene (introduction of Tabitha)δέLuke introduces Tabitha with unusual care: the Aramaic name, its Greek translation, and a character description. She is called μαθήτρια — the feminine form of 'disciple,' one of only two such uses in NT (the other being the verb at John 4:1). The bilingual name-gloss signals Luke's Gentile audience. Her character is defined by ποιεῖν — active practice of mercy.
ἘνInpreposition + dat (location)
ἸόππῃJoppaDativedative of placeἸόππη: Joppa (modern Jaffa), the Mediterranean port ca. 55 km from Jerusalem; Jonah's port of departure (Jonah 1:3); Peter's base for the following vision.
δέnowtransitional particle
τιςa certainNominativeindefinite pronoun (predicative with ἦν)
ἦνthere wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb (ἦν τις = 'there was a certain')→ progressive imperfect (ongoing existence)
μαθήτριαdiscipleNominativepredicate nominativeμαθήτρια: the feminine of μαθητής; NT hapax — Luke deliberately uses the feminine form, affirming that women hold full disciple status.
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of referenceὄνομα: cf. vv.10–11.
ΤαβιθάTabithaNominativenominative in apposition (Aramaic name)Ταβιθά: the Aramaic for 'gazelle'; a Hebrew/Aramaic woman's name — suggests she was a Jewish believer.
whichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of explanatory clause)
διερμηνευομένηbeing translatedPres Pass Ptc Nom Sg Fem · διερμηνεύωcircumstantial participle (concessive/explanatory: 'which, when translated')→ progressive presentδιερμηνεύω: 'translate, interpret'; Luke explains the name for his Gentile readers — one of the rare glosses within the Lukan narrative.
λέγεταιis calledPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of relative clause→ gnomic presentλέγω: 'say, call, mean'; the passive 'is called/means' — a standard translation formula.
ΔορκάςDorcasNominativepredicate nominative (Greek translation of Ταβιθά)Δορκάς: Greek for 'gazelle'; the only person in Acts given both their Aramaic and Greek name by Luke.
αὕτηsheNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject, resumptive)
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ progressive imperfect (ongoing character)
πλήρηςfullNominativepredicate adjectiveπλήρης: 'full'; the same word used of Spirit-filled people (6:3, 5, 8) — she is full of good works as others are full of the Spirit.
ἔργωνof worksGenitivegenitive of content (full of)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; the practical expression of faith — James's language (James 2:14–17).
ἀγαθῶνgoodGenitivegenitive adjective (modifying ἔργων)ἀγαθός: 'good'; morally excellent deeds.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλεημοσυνῶνof almsgivingGenitivegenitive of content (second category of what she was full of)ἐλεημοσύνη: 'almsgiving, charitable gift'; the concrete expression of mercy toward the poor — garments for widows are the specific example (v.39).
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive by attraction to ἔργων/ἐλεημοσυνῶν)
ἐποίειshe was doingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ iterative imperfect (habitual practice)ποιέω: 'do'; the imperfect captures her consistent, habitual character — not occasional but constant.
37

ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἀσθενήσασαν αὐτὴν ἀποθανεῖν· λούσαντες δὲ ἔθηκαν αὐτὴν ἐν ὑπερῴῳ.

In those days it happened that she became ill and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.

Crisis (death of Tabitha)δέThe Lukan ἐγένετο construction again marks a new development. Death follows illness — the human situation is irreversible apart from divine intervention. Washing the body was standard Jewish burial preparation; the upper room (ὑπερῷον) was used both for prayer (1:13) and here for laying out the dead — a liminal space.
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Lukan ἐγένετο + acc. + inf.)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: cf. vv.3, 32 — the same narrative device.
δὲandtransitional particle
ἐνinpreposition + dat (temporal)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of timeἡμέρα: 'day'; 'in those days' = during the period of Peter's regional ministry just described.
ἐκείναιςthoseDativedemonstrative adjective (attributive, modifying ἡμέραις)
ἀσθενήσασανhaving become illAor Act Ptc Acc Sg Fem · ἀσθενέωparticipial phrase (temporal before ἀποθανεῖν)→ constative aorist (onset of illness)ἀσθενέω: 'be weak, be ill'; the illness preceded the death — no sudden accident but a recognized decline.
αὐτὴνherAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (Lukan construction)
ἀποθανεῖνto dieAor Act Inf · ἀποθνῄσκωinfinitive (subject clause of ἐγένετο)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the finality is stated bluntly — she died; Peter will reverse it.
λούσαντεςhaving washedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · λούωattendant-circumstance participle (burial preparation)→ constative aoristλούω: 'wash, bathe'; the ritual washing of the body before burial — standard Jewish mortuary practice.
δὲandtransitional particle
ἔθηκανthey laidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristτίθημι: 'place, lay'; a respectful laying out of the body.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ὑπερῴῳan upper roomDativedative of placeὑπερῷον: 'upper room'; cf. 1:13 (the prayer room) and 20:8 (Troas) — a liminal, sacred space in Acts.
38

ἐγγὺς δὲ οὔσης Λύδδας τῇ Ἰόππῃ οἱ μαθηταὶ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Πέτρος ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ ἀπέστειλαν δύο ἄνδρας πρὸς αὐτὸν παρακαλοῦντες· Μὴ ὀκνήσῃς διελθεῖν ἕως ἡμῶν.

Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, 'Do not delay to come to us.'

Response / call to actionδέThe geographical proximity of Lydda to Joppa (ca. 18 km) makes the summons of Peter plausible. The disciples' appeal 'do not delay' (Μὴ ὀκνήσῃς) implies urgency — burial was normally swift in the Near East, and the two men were sent without waiting. The community acts in faith, expecting Peter to do something.
ἐγγὺςnearadverb of place (predicative with genitive absolute)ἐγγύς: 'near, close'; cf. v.3 — Saul 'drawing near' to Damascus; now the nearness of cities enables Peter's summons.
δὲandtransitional particle
οὔσηςbeingPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Fem · εἰμίgenitive absolute (causal: 'since Lydda was near')→ progressive present (geographical fact)
ΛύδδαςLyddaGenitivegenitive absolute (subject)Λύδδα: cf. v.32.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἸόππῃJoppaDativedative of reference (near to Joppa)Ἰόππη: cf. v.36.
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubject nominativeμαθητής: the Joppa community of believers.
ἀκούσαντεςhaving heardAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωtemporal participle (prior to sending)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; they heard that Peter was at Lydda — rapid news transmission in a small community.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of what was heard)
ΠέτροςPeterNominativesubject nominative (of ὅτι clause)Πέτρος: cf. v.32 — his presence at Lydda is recent news.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present (current location)
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
αὐτῇitDativedative of place (Lydda, referred to by pronoun)
ἀπέστειλανthey sentAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the disciples dispatch two messengers — a formal, authoritative summons.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying ἄνδρας)δύο: 'two'; in keeping with the Jewish principle of two witnesses (Deut 17:6; 19:15).
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλανἀνήρ: 'man'; the two delegates.
πρὸςtopreposition + acc (direction toward)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative (person sent to = Peter)
παρακαλοῦντεςurgingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · παρακαλέωcircumstantial participle (manner of sending: they sent them urging him)→ progressive presentπαρακαλέω: 'urge, encourage, beseech'; the same root as παράκλησις (v.31) — an urgent appeal.
ΜὴDo notnegative particle (with subjunctive: prohibition)
ὀκνήσῃςdelayAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ὀκνέωverb of prohibition (μὴ + aorist subjunctive)→ constative aorist (don't let delay happen at all)ὀκνέω: 'hesitate, shrink back, delay'; NT hapax — an urgent negative appeal: 'waste no time.'
διελθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · διέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (object of ὀκνήσῃς)→ constative aoristδιέρχομαι: 'pass through, travel through, come to'; they ask Peter to come through/over to them.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + gen (up to, as far as)ἕως: 'until, as far as'; 'come as far as us' — the directional nuance of traversing the distance.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive (object of ἕως)
39

ἀναστὰς δὲ Πέτρος συνῆλθεν αὐτοῖς· ὃν παραγενόμενον ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ παρέστησαν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ ἐπιδεικνύμεναι χιτῶνας καὶ ἱμάτια ὅσα ἐποίει μετ᾽ αὐτῶν οὖσα ἡ Δορκάς.

And Peter rose and went with them, and when he arrived they brought him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

Narrative action (Peter's arrival and the widows' witness)δέThe widows' display of garments is not mere mourning but testimony — they show the practical fruit of Dorcas's mercy. The participle ἐπιδεικνύμεναι ('showing') makes them living witnesses to her character. Peter will reverse the death of the one who served these most vulnerable.
ἀναστὰςrisingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀνίστημιattendant-circumstance participle (prior to main verb)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: cf. vv.6, 11, 18, 34 — the 'rise' verb continues its thematic role.
δὲandtransitional particle
ΠέτροςPeterNominativesubject nominative
συνῆλθενwent withAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συνέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (immediate compliance)συνέρχομαι: 'come together, go with'; Peter accompanies the two men — immediate obedience to the appeal.
αὐτοῖςwith themDativedative of association
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (direct object of ἀνήγαγον)
παραγενόμενονhaving arrivedAor Mid Ptc Acc Sg Masc · παραγίνομαιtemporal participle (when he arrived)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: cf. v.26 — the arrival verb.
ἀνήγαγονthey broughtAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνάγωmain verb (of relative clause)→ constative aoristἀνάγω: 'lead up, bring up'; from the ground floor to the upper room — literally 'they led him up.'
εἰςtopreposition + acc (destination)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὑπερῷονupper roomAccusativeaccusative of destinationὑπερῷον: cf. v.37 — the room where the body lies.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρέστησανstood besideAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρίστημιmain verb (new clause)→ constative aoristπαρίστημι: 'stand beside, present'; the widows position themselves beside Peter — a formal presentation of their witness.
αὐτῷbeside himDativedative of place/accompaniment (beside Peter)
πᾶσαιallNominativesubject nominativeπᾶς: 'all'; all the widows — the whole community of those Dorcas had served.
αἱtheNominativearticle
χῆραιwidowsNominativesubject nominative (appositive to πᾶσαι αἱ)χήρα: 'widow'; an especially vulnerable category in antiquity — the early church's characteristic care for widows (6:1; 1 Tim 5) embodied here by Dorcas.
κλαίουσαιweepingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Fem · κλαίωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ progressive present (ongoing weeping)κλαίω: 'weep, wail'; their grief is genuine and their loss personal — not professional mourners.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιδεικνύμεναιshowingPres Mid Ptc Nom Pl Fem · ἐπιδείκνυμιcircumstantial participle (manner — the nature of their witness)→ progressive presentἐπιδείκνυμι: 'show, display, demonstrate'; the middle indicates they were showing things for their own interest — these garments meant life to them.
χιτῶναςtunicsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιδεικνύμεναι (first garment type)χιτών: 'tunic, undergarment'; the inner garment — Dorcas made practical clothing for the needy.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιδεικνύμεναι (second garment type)ἱμάτιον: 'garment, outer cloak'; together χιτῶνας καὶ ἱμάτια = the complete wardrobe.
ὅσαwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (direct object of ἐποίει)
ἐποίειshe used to makeImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ customary imperfect (habitual practice)ποιέω: cf. v.36 ἐποίει — the same verb circles back; her habitual making is now displayed.
μετ᾽withpreposition + gen (accompaniment / while living with)
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive of accompaniment
οὖσαbeingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Fem · εἰμίcircumstantial participle (temporal: while she was with them)→ progressive present (duration of her life among them)
theNominativearticle
ΔορκάςDorcasNominativesubject of οὖσα (with article: 'she, even Dorcas')Δορκάς: cf. v.36 — the Greek name recalled with the article as her identifier to Peter.
40

ἐκβαλὼν δὲ ἔξω πάντας ὁ Πέτρος καὶ θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς τὸ σῶμα εἶπεν· Ταβιθά, ἀνάστηθι. ἡ δὲ ἤνοιξεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς, καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον ἀνεκάθισεν.

But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, 'Tabitha, arise.' And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.

Climax (the resurrection)δέPeter's actions mirror Elijah (1 Kgs 17:17–24) and Elisha (2 Kgs 4:32–37): clearing the room, prayer, direct address. Most importantly, the command 'Tabitha, ἀνάστηθι' (Tabitha, arise) deliberately echoes Jesus' 'Talitha κούμ' (Mk 5:41 — 'Little girl, arise'); the Aramaic names are near-homophones, and the Greek command is identical (ἀνάστηθι / ἔγειρε). Peter acts in the power and pattern of his Lord.
ἐκβαλὼνhaving put outAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐκβάλλωattendant-circumstance participle (prior action)→ constative aoristἐκβάλλω: 'cast out, send out'; clearing the room mirrors both Elisha (2 Kgs 4:33) and Jesus (Mark 5:40) — the same pattern of isolation before a raising.
δὲbuttransitional/contrastive particle
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place (where they were sent)ἔξω: 'outside'; the room must be cleared — only Peter and the dead woman remain.
πάνταςallAccusativedirect object of ἐκβαλὼνπᾶς: cf. v.39 πᾶσαι — all the widows (and others) are put out.
theNominativearticle
ΠέτροςPeterNominativesubject nominativeΠέτρος: cf. v.32.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θεὶςplacingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · τίθημιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristτίθημι: 'place, put'; with γόνατα — 'placing the knees' = kneeling in prayer.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
γόναταkneesAccusativedirect object of θεὶςγόνυ: 'knee'; 'kneeling' (θεὶς τὰ γόνατα) is the posture of urgent, humble prayer (cf. 20:36; 21:5; Luke 22:41).
προσηύξατοhe prayedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (prayer offered)προσεύχομαι: 'pray'; Peter does not presume to act by his own authority — he prays first, acknowledging that the power belongs to God. Cf. Elisha (2 Kgs 4:33).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιστρέψαςturningAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιστρέφωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω: cf. v.35 (conversion: 'turned to the Lord'); here the physical turning of Peter toward the body — an action charged with expectancy.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + acc (direction toward)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σῶμαbodyAccusativeaccusative (object of πρός — the body turned toward)σῶμα: 'body'; the word emphasizes that it is a corpse — the situation is unambiguously death.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ΤαβιθάTabithaVocativevocative (direct address to the dead woman)Ταβιθά: the Aramaic form — cf. Jesus' Ταλιθα κούμ (Mk 5:41); Peter addresses her in the same language, evoking the same divine authority.
ἀνάστηθιariseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίστημιcommand (resurrection imperative)→ constative aorist (punctiliar, decisive command)ἀνίστημι: cf. vv.6, 11, 18, 34, 39 — the climactic 'rise' of the chapter; the resurrection verb used as a command; cf. also Mk 5:41 (ἔγειρε).
sheNominativearticle as pronoun (subject: 'and she')
δὲandtransitional particle (with article as pronoun)
ἤνοιξενopenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνοίγωmain verb→ constative aorist (first sign of life)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; contrast v.8: Saul's eyes were opened but he could not see; now Tabitha opens her eyes and does see — the reversal of death.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of ἤνοιξενὀφθαλμός: cf. vv.8, 18 — the 'eyes' motif runs through the chapter: Saul's eyes blinded and restored; Tabitha's eyes closed in death, now opened.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοῦσαseeingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Fem · ὁράωtemporal/circumstantial participle→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; seeing Peter — recognition of the living — confirms her return to full conscious life.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΠέτρονPeterAccusativedirect object of ἰδοῦσαΠέτρος: the first thing she sees is Peter — the instrument of her rising.
ἀνεκάθισενshe sat upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνακαθίζωmain verb (result of resurrection)→ constative aoristἀνακαθίζω: 'sit up'; used in the NT only here and at Luke 7:15 (the widow of Nain's son); a deliberately chosen word for this specific act — sitting upright from a lying dead position.
41

δοὺς δὲ αὐτῇ χεῖρα ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν· φωνήσας δὲ τοὺς ἁγίους καὶ τὰς χήρας παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν.

And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows he presented her alive.

Continuation (completion of the raising and presentation)δέPeter's hand-giving (δοὺς χεῖρα) mirrors Jesus raising the little girl (Mark 5:41 κρατήσας τῆς χειρός). 'Presented her alive' (παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν) echoes the language of Acts 1:3 where the risen Jesus 'presented himself alive' (παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα) — Peter's act is a transparency of the resurrection.
δοὺςgivingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · δίδωμιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; 'extending the hand' — a physical act of help and affirmation; cf. Acts 3:7 Peter's helping the lame man.
δὲandtransitional particle
αὐτῇherDativedative of indirect object (gave to her)
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of δοὺςχείρ: 'hand'; cf. vv.12, 17 (hands of Ananias); the hand is the instrument of healing and restoration throughout the chapter.
ἀνέστησενraisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: cf. vv.6, 11, 18, 34, 39, 40 — the 'raise/rise' verb achieves its fullest meaning here: Peter raises the dead woman; the transitive causative form (ἀνέστησεν) distinguishes from the intransitive uses elsewhere.
αὐτήνherAccusativedirect object of ἀνέστησεν
φωνήσαςcallingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · φωνέωattendant-circumstance participle (prior to presentation)→ constative aoristφωνέω: 'call, summon'; Peter calls the community back in — the witnesses must see the living Tabitha.
δὲandtransitional particle
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἁγίουςsaintsAccusativedirect object of φωνήσας (first group recalled)ἅγιος: cf. vv.13, 32 — the community of believers.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χήραςwidowsAccusativedirect object of φωνήσας (second group — the widows she had served)χήρα: cf. v.39 — the very ones who wept and showed her garments now see her alive.
παρέστησενpresentedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρίστημιmain verb (formal presentation)→ constative aoristπαρίστημι: 'present, stand alongside'; cf. v.39 παρέστησαν (widows stood beside Peter); now Peter stands Tabitha beside the community. The same verb appears at Acts 1:3 for the risen Jesus 'presenting himself alive' — a deeply resonant echo.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object
ζῶσανalivePres Act Ptc Acc Sg Fem · ζάωpredicative participle (object complement: presented her as living)→ progressive present (the ongoing state of being alive)ζάω: 'live'; the same word used of the risen Jesus 'presenting himself alive' (Acts 1:3 ζῶντα) — Peter's ministry of resurrection is a participation in and pointer to the resurrection of Christ.
42

γνωστὸν δὲ ἐγένετο καθ᾽ ὅλης τῆς Ἰόππης, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν πολλοὶ ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον.

And this became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Result (evangelistic impact)δέThe evangelistic result parallels v.35 (Lydda and Sharon) — a healing miracle precipitates regional faith. The two miracles of vv.32–43 together set the stage geographically for the Cornelius episode (ch.10), which also begins at Joppa and Caesarea.
γνωστὸνknownNominativepredicate adjectiveγνωστός: 'known, notable'; the miraculous raising becomes publicly known — miracles are not private events in Acts.
δὲandtransitional particle
ἐγένετοit becameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (γνωστὸν ἐγένετο = 'became known')→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, happen'; the impersonal 'it became known' — news spread organically.
καθ᾽throughoutpreposition + gen (distributive: throughout all of)
ὅληςallGenitivegenitive adjective (modifying Ἰόππης)ὅλος: cf. v.31 — 'throughout all' mirrors the summary of v.31.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἸόππηςJoppaGenitivegenitive of place (within the distributive phrase)Ἰόππη: cf. v.36.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπίστευσανbelievedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive act of faith)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; the conversion summary — cf. v.35 ἐπέστρεψαν ('turned to the Lord'); here faith is the response.
πολλοὶmanyNominativesubject nominativeπολύς: 'many'; not all — but many; the miracle is not coercive but invitational.
ἐπὶinpreposition + acc (object of faith: believe in/on)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativeaccusative (object of faith: ἐπί + acc. = trust/belief directed toward)κύριος: 'Lord'; cf. v.35 — believing in the Lord and turning to the Lord are parallel conversion descriptions.
43

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἡμέρας ἱκανὰς μεῖναι αὐτὸν ἐν Ἰόππῃ παρά τινι Σίμωνι βυρσεῖ.

And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Transitional closing noteδέThe verse is a transitional bridge to chapter 10: Peter's extended stay in Joppa (where Cornelius's messengers will find him, 10:5–6) and his lodging with Simon the tanner — whose house is 'by the sea' (10:6) — sets the scene for the Cornelius vision. A tanner worked with animal carcasses, a ritually borderline occupation; Peter's lodging with him anticipates his embrace of Gentiles in ch.10.
Ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Lukan ἐγένετο + acc. + inf.)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: cf. vv.3, 32, 37 — the fourth instance in the chapter of this narrative device.
δὲandtransitional particle
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of time (duration)ἡμέρα: 'day'; cf. v.23 — another period of 'many days,' the open-ended time of fruitful ministry.
ἱκανὰςmanyAccusativeadjective (modifying ἡμέρας)ἱκανός: cf. v.23 — the same idiom: 'sufficient/many days'; an extended stay.
μεῖναιto remainAor Act Inf · μένωinfinitive (subject clause of ἐγένετο)→ constative aoristμένω: 'remain, stay, abide'; Peter does not rush on — he lodges for an extended period, preparing (unknowingly) for the Cornelius vision of ch.10.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (Lukan construction)
ἐνinpreposition + dat (location)
ἸόππῃJoppaDativedative of placeἸόππη: cf. vv.36, 38, 42 — the chapter ends in Joppa, the city from which Jonah fled (Jonah 1:3); now Peter will receive there a commission to go to the Gentiles.
παράwithpreposition + dat (with a person: in the household of)
τινιa certainDativeindefinite pronoun (attributive with Σίμωνι)
ΣίμωνιSimonDativedative (with παρά: in the house of Simon)Σίμων: 'Simon'; a common Jewish name; this Simon is carefully distinguished from Simon Peter.
βυρσεῖa tannerDativedative in apposition (trade/occupation of Simon)βυρσεύς: 'tanner, leather-worker'; tanners worked with animal hides and were considered ritually unclean by many Jews (regular contact with dead animals); Peter's willingness to lodge with a tanner quietly anticipates his willingness in ch.10 to enter Cornelius's Gentile household — the purity boundaries are already being softened.