Acts 22:14 – “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.’”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Ananias is speaking to Paul (formerly Saul) after his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul had been blinded by a bright light and was led into the city, where he waited for further instructions. God sent Ananias, a faithful Jewish believer, to heal Paul and confirm God’s plan for his life.

Ananias tells Paul that God has chosen him for a special purpose:

1. “To know his will” – Paul had spent his life thinking he was serving God, but now he was truly learning God’s plan—which centered on Jesus.
2. “To see the Righteous One” – This is a direct reference to Jesus Christ, who had personally appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. “Righteous One” is a title used for the Messiah (Acts 3:14).
3. “To hear words from his mouth” – Paul was not just seeing Jesus but was receiving direct revelation from Him, just as the prophets did in the Old Testament.

Ananias is making it clear: Paul’s life has been changed forever. He is now chosen to be a messenger of Jesus Christ.

Historical Context

Paul is telling this story years later to a Jewish crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-2). The people are angry at Paul for preaching about Jesus, so he is explaining that he did not choose this path—it was God who called him.

The original event happened in Damascus, where Paul had originally planned to arrest Christians (Acts 9:1-2). Instead, Jesus appeared to him, and Paul was left blind for three days (Acts 9:9).

Then, God spoke to Ananias, a Jewish believer, and sent him to heal Paul and confirm his mission (Acts 9:10-17). This was an important moment because it validated Paul’s calling—it wasn’t just a private experience, but something confirmed by another believer.

Theological Implications

1. God chooses people for His purpose – Paul did not volunteer for this mission. God chose him, just as He chooses people today for His work (John 15:16).
2. Jesus is the Righteous One – This title emphasizes Jesus’ sinlessness and divine nature, proving that Paul’s encounter was truly with the Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:21).
3. Revelation comes through Jesus – Paul had studied the Scriptures his whole life, but true knowledge of God came when he met Jesus (John 14:6).

Literary Analysis

This verse follows a pattern of divine calling seen in the Bible:

• God chooses someone for a mission (like Moses in Exodus 3, Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1).
• The person receives a vision or revelation (like Isaiah in Isaiah 6, Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1).
• The person is given a new purpose (like Peter in Luke 5:10, Paul here in Acts 22:14).

The phrase “The God of our ancestors” is important because it connects Paul’s calling to the faith of Israel. Ananias is making it clear that Paul’s new mission is not a rejection of Judaism but its fulfillment in Christ.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 9:15-16 – When God told Ananias, “This man is my chosen instrument.”
• Acts 3:14 – Peter calls Jesus “the Holy and Righteous One”, using the same title.
• Jeremiah 1:5 – God tells Jeremiah, “Before you were born I set you apart.” Like Paul, he was chosen for a mission.
• Galatians 1:15-16 – Paul later says, “God set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace.”
• John 10:27 – Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice.” Paul literally heard Jesus speak.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. God has a purpose for your life – Just as God chose Paul, He has a calling for every believer. We may not all be called to be missionaries like Paul, but we are all called to serve Jesus (Ephesians 2:10).
2. True knowledge of God comes through Jesus – Many people think they know God, but without Jesus, they are spiritually blind (John 14:6).
3. God’s calling is life-changing – When God calls someone, He transforms their entire life. Paul went from persecuting Christians to becoming one of the most faithful preachers of the gospel.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows God’s personal and intentional love:

• God didn’t give up on Paul, even when he was an enemy of Christ.
• God spoke to Paul personally, showing that He is not distant or impersonal.
• God had a plan for Paul long before he knew it, proving that He cares for His people before they even recognize Him.

God’s love is not based on our worthiness—Paul had done terrible things, yet God still chose him for a great purpose.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the Righteous One – This confirms His sinless nature and divine mission (1 John 2:1).
2. Jesus reveals God’s will – Paul, despite his religious background, only truly understood God’s plan when Jesus appeared to him (Colossians 1:15-16).
3. Jesus personally calls people – Just as Jesus called His disciples, He called Paul. Jesus still calls people today to follow Him (Matthew 4:19).

Paul’s experience is a picture of salvation—a man who was lost, blinded, and hostile to Jesus is personally called, transformed, and sent on a mission by Christ Himself.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Ananias told Paul that God had chosen him for a purpose. How does this encourage you about God’s plan for your life?
2. Paul was religious but spiritually blind before he met Jesus. How does this challenge the idea that being “good” or “religious” is enough?
3. God often calls people who seem unlikely. What does this teach us about who God can use?
4. Jesus is called the Righteous One. Why is it important that Jesus was sinless?
5. Ananias played a role in confirming Paul’s calling. How can we encourage and confirm God’s calling in other people’s lives?

Paul’s story in Acts 22:14 is a powerful reminder that God is in control, Jesus is the center of God’s plan, and no one is too far gone for God to use. When God calls, He gives us everything we need to follow Him.