Acts 22:16 (KJV)

What does Acts 22:16 mean?

Acts 22:16 records a call for immediate action: the person is urged not to delay, but to get up, be baptized, and have their sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord. The verse presents baptism and calling on the Lord as closely connected steps in responding to God.

In this scene, Ananias is speaking to Saul (later called Paul) after Saul’s dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Ananias tells Saul that now is the time to respond—he should not hesitate, but should rise, be baptized, and seek forgiveness. The verse highlights the urgency and seriousness of Saul’s response to God’s call.

The Greek behind Acts 22:16

• "ἀνάστηθι" (anastēthi, "arise"): This word is a command to get up, suggesting an immediate and active response rather than a passive one.
• "βαπτίσθητι" (baptisthēti, "be baptized"): The Greek here is a passive command, indicating that Saul is to allow himself to be baptized by someone else.
• "ἀπόλουσαι" (apolousai, "wash away"): This word carries the sense of cleansing or removing something, making the connection between baptism and the washing away of sins vivid and concrete.
• "ἐπικαλεσάμενος" (epikalesamenos, "calling on"): This word means to call upon or invoke, showing that the act of seeking forgiveness is directed toward the Lord, not just a ritual.

Why Acts 22:16 matters

• Acts 22:16 clarifies that baptism and calling on the Lord are presented together as part of Saul’s response, rather than separate or unrelated actions.
• The verse emphasizes urgency—Ananias does not suggest waiting or thinking it over, but calls for immediate action in light of Saul’s encounter with Jesus.
• This moment connects Saul’s personal story to the larger pattern in Acts, where people respond to God’s message with repentance, baptism, and faith.