And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

ACTS 9:20KJV
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Acts 9:20 (KJV)

What does Acts 9:20 mean?

Acts 9:20 says that immediately after his conversion, Saul (later called Paul) began to proclaim in the Jewish synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. This marks the start of Saul’s public ministry, showing a dramatic change from persecutor of Christians to a preacher of Jesus as the Messiah.

Saul is the main figure here, and the setting is right after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Instead of waiting or hiding, Saul goes straight to the synagogues—the gathering places of Jewish worship and teaching—to declare that Jesus is the Son of God, a title that means Jesus has a unique relationship with God and authority from Him. This bold move would have surprised both the Jewish leaders and early Christians, given Saul’s recent past as an opponent of the church.

The Greek behind Acts 9:20

  • "Preached" (ἐκήρυσσεν, ekēryssen): This Greek word means to proclaim or announce publicly, like a herald. It suggests Saul was not just having quiet conversations but making bold, open declarations about Jesus.
  • "Christ" (Χριστός, Christos): This is the Greek word for "Anointed One" or "Messiah." Saul was specifically declaring that Jesus is the promised deliverer in Jewish expectation.
  • "Son" (υἱός, huios) and "God" (θεός, theos): These words together emphasize that Saul was claiming Jesus has a unique, divine status—not just a teacher or prophet, but God’s own Son.

Why Acts 9:20 matters

  • Acts 9:20 highlights the immediate and dramatic transformation in Saul’s life, showing the power of his encounter with Jesus.
  • The verse clarifies that the central message Saul preached was about Jesus’ divine identity, not just moral teachings or a new philosophy.
  • This moment connects to the wider story in Acts, as it marks the beginning of Paul’s influential ministry, which would eventually spread the message of Jesus far beyond Jewish communities.

Where else these words appear

“synagogues” Greek G4864 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

“preached” Greek G2784 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
  • Romans 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

“straightway” Greek G2112 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
  • Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
  • Mark 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.