Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. New Living Translation When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. English Standard Version At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, Berean Standard Bible In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. Berean Literal Bible In Damascus the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes to seize me. King James Bible In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: New King James Version In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; New American Standard Bible In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, NASB 1995 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, NASB 1977 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, Legacy Standard Bible In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, Amplified Bible In Damascus the governor (ethnarch) under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to arrest me, Berean Annotated Bible In Damascus (well-watered land), the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. Christian Standard Bible In Damascus, a ruler under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to arrest me. Holman Christian Standard Bible In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, American Standard Version In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me: Contemporary English Version The governor of Damascus at the time of King Aretas had the city gates guarded, so he could capture me. English Revised Version In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, in order to take me: GOD'S WORD® Translation The governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me. Good News Translation When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas placed guards at the city gates to arrest me. International Standard Version In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me, NET Bible In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to arrest me, New Heart English Bible In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, desiring to arrest me. Webster's Bible Translation In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: Weymouth New Testament In Damascus the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the gates of the city in order to apprehend me, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIn Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes wishing to arrest me. World English Bible In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn Damascus the governor [under] Aretas the king was watching the city of the Damascenes, wishing to seize me, Berean Literal Bible In Damascus the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes to seize me. Young's Literal Translation In Damascus the ethnarch of Aretas the king was watching the city of the Damascenes, wishing to seize me, Smith's Literal Translation In Damascus king Aretas' governor watched the city of the Damascenes, wishing to seize me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAt Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, to apprehend me. Catholic Public Domain Version At Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, watched over the city of the Damascenes, so as to apprehend me. New American Bible At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus, in order to seize me, New Revised Standard Version In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAt Damascus the general of the army of King Aretas placed the city of the Damascenes under guard, in order to seize me: Aramaic Bible in Plain English In Dramsuq, the Captain of the Army of Aretus, The King, was guarding the city of the Damascenes to seize me, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIn Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, desiring to apprehend me: Godbey New Testament In Damascus Areta the governor of the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, to arrest me: Haweis New Testament In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, intending to seize me; Mace New Testament in Damascus the governor for king Aretas, posted guards at the city-gates, with a design to apprehend me: Weymouth New Testament In Damascus the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the gates of the city in order to apprehend me, Worrell New Testament In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me; Worsley New Testament In Damascus the governor under king Aretas, placed guards about the city to seize me: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul's Suffering and Service…31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying. 32In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. 33But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.… Cross References In Damascus, Acts 9:10-19 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered. / “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. / In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” … Galatians 1:16-18 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, / nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. / Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. Acts 26:12-18 In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. / About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. / We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ … the governor under King Aretas Acts 9:23-25 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. / One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall. Acts 25:13-22 After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. / Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison. / While I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews presented their case and requested a judgment against him. … John 19:12-16 From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” … secured the city of the Damascenes Nehemiah 7:1-3 When the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. / Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most. / And I told them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the guards are on duty, keep the doors shut and securely fastened. And appoint the residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their own homes.” Joshua 2:15 Then Rahab let them down by a rope through the window, since the house where she lived was built into the wall of the city. 1 Samuel 19:11-17 Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped. / Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. … in order to arrest me. Acts 21:30-33 The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. / While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. / Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. … Acts 16:19-24 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. / They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.” … John 7:30 So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. Galatians 1:17-18 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. / Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. / He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. / We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. … 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; / in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; Treasury of Scripture In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: Damascus. 2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; Acts 9:24,25 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him… Aretas. Jump to Previous Apprehend Arrest City Damascus Desiring Desirous Garrison Gates Governor Guarded Guarding Guards Kept Order Ruler Seize Shut Watch Watching WishingJump to Next Apprehend Arrest City Damascus Desiring Desirous Garrison Gates Governor Guarded Guarding Guards Kept Order Ruler Seize Shut Watch Watching Wishing2 Corinthians 11 1. Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,5. of his equality with the chief apostles, 7. of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them; 13. showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative; 23. and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior. In Damascus Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a rich history dating back to ancient times. It was a significant city in the Roman Empire and a major center for trade and culture. In the context of the New Testament, Damascus is notable for being the place where Saul (later Paul) was converted to Christianity (Acts 9:1-19). This city represents a pivotal location in Paul's life and ministry. the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is recounting his experiences and the challenges he faced in his ministry. This verse highlights a specific instance of persecution he endured. 2. Damascus An ancient city, significant in both the Old and New Testaments. It is where Paul had his conversion experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). 3. Governor under King Aretas The official responsible for securing the city to capture Paul. King Aretas IV was the ruler of the Nabatean Kingdom, which had influence over Damascus at the time. 4. King Aretas IV The Nabatean king during the time of Paul's escape from Damascus. His involvement indicates the political complexities of the region. 5. The Damascenes The inhabitants of Damascus, who were under the jurisdiction of the governor and King Aretas. Teaching Points Perseverance in PersecutionPaul's experience in Damascus is a testament to his perseverance and commitment to his mission despite facing life-threatening situations. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith even when facing opposition. Divine Deliverance The escape from Damascus illustrates God's providential care and deliverance. Christians can trust that God will provide a way out in times of trouble. The Cost of Discipleship Following Christ may lead to persecution and hardship, as seen in Paul's life. Believers should be prepared to face challenges for the sake of the Gospel. Strategic Wisdom Paul's escape required strategic thinking and the help of others. This teaches the importance of wisdom and community support in navigating difficult circumstances. Historical Context and Faith Understanding the historical and political context of biblical events enriches our faith and appreciation for the complexities faced by early Christians. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:32?2. How does 2 Corinthians 11:32 demonstrate God's protection in difficult situations? 3. What lessons about humility can we learn from Paul's escape in Damascus? 4. How does Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 11:32 connect to Acts 9:23-25? 5. How can we apply Paul's perseverance in 2 Corinthians 11:32 to our lives? 6. What does Paul's escape teach about relying on God's provision and timing? 7. Why did King Aretas want to capture Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:32? 8. How does 2 Corinthians 11:32 reflect the political climate of the time? 9. What significance does Damascus hold in 2 Corinthians 11:32? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 11? 11. If faith is required for salvation, why does the Bible contain so many stories where God reveals Himself directly? 12. Acts 13:7,12: If Sergius Paulus was a real proconsul who converted, why is there scant archeological or historical evidence to confirm this event? 13. What does the Bible say about Damascus? 14. Why did Paul travel to Arabia post-conversion? What Does 2 Corinthians 11:32 Mean In DamascusPaul roots this story in a real place and time. After meeting Jesus on the road, he began proclaiming, “Jesus is the Son of God” right there in Damascus (Acts 9:20-22). Scripture records: • Acts 9:23-25 shows the immediate hostility he faced. • Galatians 1:17-18 confirms he stayed in the region for a while before heading to Jerusalem. So, 2 Corinthians 11:32 calls us to picture an actual city where the gospel first took hold through Paul, and where opposition quickly formed. the governor under King Aretas The “governor” (an official answerable to King Aretas IV of Nabatea) wielded civil authority over Damascus. This line anchors Paul’s account in verifiable history: • King Aretas ruled 9 BC-AD 40, matching the timeline given in Acts 9. • Luke’s narrative in Acts 9:23-24 notes a “plot” against Paul, and 2 Corinthians 11 identifies who enabled that plot—Aretas’s representative. By mentioning governmental power, Paul highlights that his troubles did not come only from religious leaders but from political authorities as well. secured the city of the Damascenes The wording paints a tense scene: • Guards stationed at the city gates (Acts 9:24) • Coordinated surveillance to prevent any escape • An entire city’s entry points locked down for one purpose—silencing a single gospel witness This mirrors later hardships Paul lists in the same chapter (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Persecution is neither random nor mild; it can mobilize an entire system against a believer. in order to arrest me Paul’s enemies sought more than intimidation; they wanted custody. Arresting him would likely lead to death (Acts 22:4-5). Yet, God made a way: “But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall” (Acts 9:25). • 2 Timothy 3:12 reminds us, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” • John 15:20 echoes, “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well.” Paul shares this episode not to elicit sympathy but to demonstrate Christ’s power in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). His narrow escape showcases God’s preservation of His messenger, allowing the gospel to advance. summary 2 Corinthians 11:32 recounts a concrete moment when political power, civic order, and religious zeal converged to capture Paul—yet failed. The verse reminds us that the opposition to the gospel can be broad and determined, but God’s purposes stand. Paul’s life in Damascus illustrates a broader truth: believers may face intense pressure, yet the Lord delivers and uses every trial to display His sufficiency and spread His Word. (32) In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king . . .--The question meets us at the outset whether the fact that follows is brought in as being the first instance of suffering endured for the sake of Christ, and therefore the natural opening to what was intended to have been a long, connected narrative of all such sufferings, or as being connected in some special manner with his "infirmities.", On the whole, the evidence--especially the context of 2Corinthians 11:30--seems in favour of the latter view, as far, at least, as the selection of the incident is concerned. There was, we can well imagine, an element of the ludicrous--something that gave occasion to jests and sneers--in the way in which the Apostle's escape On the historical facts connected with this incident, see Notes on Acts 9:24-25. The additional details which we learn from St. Paul are--(1) that Damascus was under the immediate control, not of the Governor of Syria, but of a governor or an ethnarch; (2) that the ethnarch was appointed, not by the Roman emperor, but by Aretas (the name was hereditary, and was the Greek form of the Arabic Haret), the King of the Nabathaean Arabs, who had his capital at Petra, who was the father of the first wife of Herod Antipas (see Note on Matthew 14:1); (3) that the ethnarch lent himself to the enmity of the Jews, and stationed troops at each gate of the city to prevent St. Paul's escape. "Ethnarch," it may be noted, was about this time the common title of a subordinate provincial governor. It had been borne by Judas Maccabaeus (1 Maccabees 14:47; 1 Maccabees 15:1-2) and by Archelaus (Jos. Wars, ii. 6, ? 3). . . . Verse 32. - In Damascus. (For the incident referred to, see Acts 9:22-25.) The governor; literally, the ethnarch. This is obviously the title given to the commandant of the city (whether an Arabian or a Jew), left in charge by Aretas. The word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, but is found in 1 Macc. 14:47; Josephus, 'Ant.,' 14:07, § 2. Under Aretas the king. Hareth, the Emir of Petra, father-in-law of Herod the Great. He had either seized the city during his war with Herod, to avenge the insult offered to his daughter by Herod's adultery with Herodias; or it may have been assigned to him by Caligula. His relations with Damascus are confirmed by coins (see 'Life of St. Paul,' exc. 8.). Kept... with a garrison; literally, was guarding. It is said in Acts 9:24 that the Jews did this; but they could not in any case have done it without leave from the ethnarch, and qui facit per alium, facit per se. Desirous to apprehend me. Both words are a little stronger in the Greek - "determining to seize me."Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Inἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Damascus, Δαμασκῷ (Damaskō) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 1154: Damascus. Of Hebrew origin; Damascus, a city of Syria. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. governor ἐθνάρχης (ethnarchēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1481: An ethnarch, tribal lord, a subordinate ruler. From ethnos and arche; the governor of a district. under τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. King βασιλέως (basileōs) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. Aretas Ἁρέτα (Hareta) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 702: Aretas IV, King of the Nabataeans. Of foreign origin; Aretas, an Arabian. secured ἐφρούρει (ephrourei) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 5432: From a compound of pro and horao; to be a watcher in advance, i.e. To mount guard as a sentinel; figuratively, to hem in, protect. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. city πόλιν (polin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town. of the Damascenes Δαμασκηνῶν (Damaskēnōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 1153: A Damascene, an inhabitant of Damascus. From Damaskos; a Damascene or inhabitant of Damascus. in order to arrest πιάσαι (piasai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 4084: Probably another form of biazo; to squeeze, i.e. Seize (press), or officially (arrest), or in hunting (capture). me. με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. Links 2 Corinthians 11:32 NIV2 Corinthians 11:32 NLT 2 Corinthians 11:32 ESV 2 Corinthians 11:32 NASB 2 Corinthians 11:32 KJV 2 Corinthians 11:32 BibleApps.com 2 Corinthians 11:32 Biblia Paralela 2 Corinthians 11:32 Chinese Bible 2 Corinthians 11:32 French Bible 2 Corinthians 11:32 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |



