Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

ACTS 9:25KJV
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Acts 9:25 (KJV)

What does Acts 9:25 mean?

Acts 9:25 describes how the disciples helped Saul (later known as Paul) escape from danger by lowering him down the city wall in a basket at night. This verse shows the disciples taking quick, practical action to protect Saul from those who wanted to harm him.

In the setting of Acts 9, Saul had recently become a follower of Jesus and was preaching in Damascus, but some people plotted to kill him. The disciples in Damascus devised a plan to help him escape secretly, using a basket and the cover of night to get him safely out of the city. This moment highlights both the real danger Saul faced and the loyalty and resourcefulness of the early Christian community.

The Greek behind Acts 9:25

  • The word for "basket" is σπυρίς (spyris), which refers to a large, flexible basket—big enough to hold a person. This detail emphasizes the urgency and creativity of the escape.
  • The phrase "let him down" uses two Greek words: καθῆκαν (katēkan, "lowered down") and χαλάσαντες (chalasantes, "let down" or "lowered"). The use of both words together stresses the careful and deliberate action of lowering Saul safely.

Why Acts 9:25 matters

  • Acts 9:25 clears up any idea that Saul’s escape was miraculous or supernatural; it was a practical, risky effort by his friends, showing the human side of early Christian life.
  • The verse connects to the wider story of Saul’s transformation and the immediate opposition he faced, underlining how dangerous it was to follow Jesus at that time.
  • This escape scene highlights the strong bonds and trust among the early disciples, who were willing to risk their own safety to protect one another.

Where else these words appear

“down” Greek G2524 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 5:19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
  • Acts 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
  • Acts 11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

“basket” Greek G4711 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
  • Matthew 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
  • Mark 8:8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

“down” Greek G5465 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
  • Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
  • Acts 27:30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

“wall” Greek G5038 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 11:33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
  • Revelation 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
  • Revelation 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.