For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

ACTS 9:16KJV
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Acts 9:16 (KJV)

What does Acts 9:16 mean?

Acts 9:16 means that God is telling Ananias that Saul (later known as Paul) will experience significant suffering because of his commitment to Jesus and the mission he will carry out in Jesus’ name. This verse highlights that Saul’s future as a follower of Jesus will involve hardship directly connected to his new calling.

In the story, God is speaking to Ananias in a vision, explaining why Saul should be welcomed despite his past as a persecutor of Christians. God reveals that Saul’s role as a chosen instrument will not be easy; instead, he will face many difficulties as a result of his dedication to spreading the message of Jesus. This sets the stage for understanding Paul’s later life, which is marked by both great influence and great suffering.

The Greek behind Acts 9:16

  • The word "suffer" (πάσχω, paschō) is used here to indicate enduring pain, hardship, or persecution. The Greek carries the sense of real, personal cost, not just inconvenience.
  • The phrase "for my name's sake" (ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματός μου, hyper tou onomatos mou) means "because of me" or "on account of who I am." This clarifies that the suffering is not random but directly tied to Saul’s allegiance to Jesus.
  • The word "must" (δεῖ, dei) signals necessity or inevitability. Saul’s suffering is not optional; it is a required part of his calling.

Why Acts 9:16 matters

  • Acts 9:16 corrects any idea that following Jesus guarantees an easy life; it shows that suffering can be part of faithfully serving God.
  • This verse prepares the reader for the rest of Acts, where Paul’s hardships—imprisonment, beatings, and danger—are a recurring theme.
  • The verse also reassures Ananias (and the reader) that Saul’s transformation is genuine and costly, emphasizing the seriousness of his new mission.

Where else these words appear

“shew” Greek G5263 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Luke 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

“suffer” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

“things” Greek G3745 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

“must” Greek G1163 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
  • Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.