Acts 9:20
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Acts 9:20 · King James Version
Meaning
When the apostle Paul visited various synagogues after his conversion to Christianity, he wasted no time in proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. This verse highlights Paul's immediate and unwavering commitment to spreading the message of Christ to both Jews and Gentiles. By boldly declaring Jesus' divinity in the synagogues, Paul was not only affirming his own belief in Christ but also challenging the traditional Jewish understanding of the Messiah. This act of preaching Christ as the Son of God was a foundational aspect of Paul's ministry, as he sought to bring salvation and redemption to all who would listen. Through his teachings, Paul helped to shape the early Christian church and solidify the belief that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Savior promised in the Old Testament.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of the verse "And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God" emphasizes the immediate response of the speaker to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God. This declaration highlights the central belief of Christianity that Jesus is not just a prophet or a teacher, but the divine Son of God. The inclusion of this phrase in the speaker's preaching signifies the importance of recognizing Jesus' divine nature and his role in the plan of salvation. The term "Son of God" carries significant theological weight, indicating a close relationship and shared nature with God himself. This reaffirmation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God underscores the foundational belief in Christ's divinity and his redemptive work on behalf of humanity.
Acts 9:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.
World English Bible
Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
Douay-Rheims
And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the son of God.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And straightway hee preached Christ in the Synagogues, that he was that Sonne of God,