And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelled there,
one.
Acts 9:10-18 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…
a devout.
Acts 8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Acts 17:4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
having.
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Acts 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
2 Corinthians 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
a devout observer of the law
This phrase indicates that Ananias was a faithful Jew who adhered strictly to the Mosaic Law. His devoutness underscores the continuity between Judaism and the early Christian movement, highlighting that the early followers of Jesus, including Paul, saw themselves as fulfilling the Jewish faith rather than abandoning it. This devotion to the law also suggests that Ananias was respected within the Jewish community, which is crucial for understanding the acceptance of Paul's conversion story.
who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there
Ananias's reputation among the Jews in Damascus is significant. It suggests that he was a man of integrity and respect, which would lend credibility to his role in Paul's conversion. This respect among the Jewish community is important because it shows that the early Christian message was initially spread by those who were deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. The phrase also indicates the presence of a substantial Jewish population in Damascus, which aligns with historical records of Jewish diaspora communities throughout the Roman Empire.
- Luke introduces Ananias as a real, identifiable figure, anchoring Paul’s testimony in historical fact (cf. Acts 9:10).
- By naming him, the narrative invites hearers in Jerusalem—many of whom could have known of Ananias—to verify Paul’s story (Acts 26:26).
- God often works through ordinary believers like Ananias, reminding us that ministry is not confined to apostles (Acts 8:4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
- “Devout” stresses sincere piety, echoing earlier descriptions of faithful Israelites such as Zechariah and Elizabeth—“both righteous before God” (Luke 1:6).
- Ananias’s devotion to the Mosaic law bridges the perceived gap between Judaism and the gospel: the same God who gave the Law now reveals Christ (Matthew 5:17; Romans 3:31).
- Paul’s hearers, zealous for the law (Acts 21:20), could trust Ananias’s testimony precisely because he shared their reverence for Scripture.
- Ananias’s reputation for integrity (“highly regarded”) removes suspicion that Paul fabricated the vision that led to his conversion (Acts 9:17).
- The phrase underscores God’s pattern of using credible witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1).
- A respected Jewish disciple affirming Paul’s call shows that turning to Christ does not mean abandoning Israel’s heritage (Acts 24:14; Romans 11:1-2).
- His good name among “all the Jews” models the believer’s call to live honorably before outsiders (1 Peter 2:12; Philippians 2:15).
Acts 22:12 highlights Ananias as a historically known, law-honoring, well-respected Jew whose involvement authenticates Paul’s Damascus-road experience. God chose a trusted witness so the Jerusalem crowd could see that the risen Jesus, proclaimed by Paul, is fully consistent with the Law and the prophets.
(12) A devout man according to the law.--In Acts 9:10, Ananias is simply described as "a disciple." The special description here was obviously given with a view to conciliate those who were listening to the speech. One, such as Ananias was, was not likely to have connected himself with a profane blasphemer, nor to have received the converted persecutor except on evidence that the change had come from God. St. Paul naturally confines himself to what came within his own experience, and does not dwell on the vision which had been seen by Ananias.Verse 12. - Well reported of by for having a good report of, A.V.; that for which, A.V. Well reported of (μαρτυρούμενος); see Acts 6:3, note.