Acts 9:6
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Study Note
Study Note
Saul's response to the blinding vision — 'trembling and astonished, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' — models the posture of radical submission that undergirds authentic vocation. The question 'what wilt thou have me to do?' is the opposite of the persecutor's self-directed mission, representing a total redirection of agency. Christ's instruction to 'arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do' introduces the motif of step-by-step obedience without full advance disclosure — a pattern in biblical vocation from Abraham (Genesis 12) through the disciples' calling (Luke 5). Ananias' subsequent role shows that conversion leads immediately into community rather than isolated spiritual experience.
Other Translations
but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
trembling also, and astonished, he said, `Lord, what dost thou wish me to do?' and the Lord <FI>said<Fi> unto him, `Arise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what it behoveth thee to do.'
But get up, and go into the town, and it will be made clear to you what you have to do.
Cross References
And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and …
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this …
And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou …
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I …
When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled …