Ananias

10A follower of Jesus lived in Damascus. His name was Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, a picture God gave him to see. The Lord said, "Ananias!" He answered, "I am here, Lord."

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11The Lord said, "Get up. Go to the street called Straight. Ask at Judas's house for a man named Saul. He comes from the town of Tarsus. Right now he is praying.

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

NoteStraight Street was a real street in Damascus. Most streets there twisted and turned. This one ran straight across the city, so everyone knew it. Tarsus was a large city far to the north. It was Saul's hometown.

12"In a vision Saul has seen a man named Ananias come in. That man puts his hands on Saul so he can see again."

And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

NotePeople often put their hands on someone while praying for them. It was a way of showing that God's help was coming to that person.

13Ananias said, "Lord, many people have told me about this man. He has hurt your people in Jerusalem very badly.

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

NoteThe King James word here is "saints." It meant people who belong to God. It did not mean people who never did anything wrong.

14"The chief priests, the temple leaders, gave him the right to come here. He can arrest anyone who prays to you."

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

NoteThe chief priests were the leaders in charge at the temple. "Call on your name" meant praying to Jesus. It was a way of saying someone belonged to him.

15But the Lord said, "Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will tell about me to kings and to the people of Israel. He will tell people who are not Jews too.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

NoteThe King James calls Saul a "chosen vessel." A vessel is a jar or a cup. God meant Saul was like a jar he picked to carry something precious. "Gentiles" meant every person who was not Jewish.

16"I will show him how much he must suffer because he serves me."

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

17So Ananias went to the house and went inside. He put his hands on Saul. He said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one who met you on the road. He sent me so you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

NoteThe King James says "Holy Ghost." In 1611 the word ghost simply meant spirit. It is not a spooky ghost. It means God's own Spirit.

18Right away something like fish scales fell off Saul's eyes. He could see again. He got up and was baptized, washed with water to show he belonged to Jesus.

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

NoteScales are the small hard flakes that cover a fish. Something like that fell off Saul's eyes.

19Then he ate some food, and he felt strong again. Saul stayed for a few days with the followers of Jesus in Damascus.

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

NoteThe King James says he "received meat." Back then meat meant food of any kind. It did not have to come from an animal.

12"A man named Ananias lived there. He obeyed God's law carefully. All the Jews in that city spoke well of him."

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13"He came and stood beside me. He said, 'Brother Saul, see again.' Right then I looked up and saw him."

Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14"He said, 'The God our people have always followed has chosen you. He wants you to know what he wants done. He wants you to see the Righteous One, the one who always does right, and hear him speak.'"

And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

Note"The Righteous One" was a name for Jesus. Righteous means always doing what is right.

15"'You will tell everyone what you have seen and heard.'"

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16"'So why are you waiting? Get up. Be baptized, dipped in water, and have your sins washed away. Call on the name of the Lord.'"

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

NoteBeing baptized means being dipped down into water. It showed that a person was starting a new life with God.