And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that baptism isn't just a symbolic act; it's the immediate next step in a process of actively invoking Christ's name for the washing away of sins. This means the cleansing isn't merely represented by the water, but is intrinsically tied to the invocation and the power of the name being called upon.
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This comes right after Ananias has met Paul (then Saul) in Damascus, following Paul's dramatic conversion experience on the road. Ananias is relaying the Lord's instructions to Paul, emphasizing that his mission has changed from persecuting believers to proclaiming Christ.
Ananias tells Paul to 'rise and be baptized and wash away your sins.' What does this powerful imagery mean for us today?
The verse connects baptism directly with the washing away of sins. This isn't about the water itself magically cleansing us, but about baptism being a profound, outward symbol of an inner reality. It's a public declaration of your cleansing from sin through Christ's work and your new identity in Him. Think of it as a visual, sacred sign that points to the spiritual cleansing that has already begun by faith.
It's a moment where you publicly embrace God's forgiveness and commit to living a life washed clean by Jesus.
Ananias doesn't say 'when you feel like it,' but 'why do you wait? Rise!' What drives this urgency?
The phrase 'calling on His name' is central here. It means invoking Jesus, trusting in Him, and submitting to His authority. Ananias' urgency, 'why do you wait?', underscores that this act of calling on Jesus and embracing baptism is not to be delayed. It’s an immediate, wholehearted response to the revelation Paul just experienced.
This isn't just about a religious ceremony; it's about actively calling out to Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord, and stepping into the new life He offers without hesitation. It’s a call to immediate trust and obedience.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
baptizō · Greek Verb
The act of immersion in water as an outward sign of an inward transformation, signifying identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and the public confession of faith.
hamartia · Greek Noun
Moral failing or rebellion against God's law; an act or state that misses the mark of God's holiness and requires atonement.
epikaleō · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, calling on the name of the Lord signifies an act of worship, dependence, and recognition of His authority and salvation.
This verse captures a crucial, immediate step in Paul's conversion. The emphasis on baptism and calling on Jesus' name highlights its significance not as a mere ritual, but as a public declaration and symbol of his sins being washed away through faith in Christ, occurring directly after his encounter with the risen Lord.
c. AD 33-36
Paul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul of Tarsus, a zealous Pharisee actively persecuting early Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. This transformative event marks the beginning of his profound spiritual journey.
c. AD 33-36— this verse
Ananias Baptizes Saul
Ananias, a devout disciple, is sent by God to lay hands on Saul, restoring his sight and filling him with the Holy Spirit. He then immediately instructs Saul to 'rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' This baptism is a pivotal moment in Saul's public identification with Christ.
c. AD 40s
Paul's Early Ministry in Arabia and Damascus
After his conversion and baptism, Paul retreats to Arabia for a period of reflection and instruction before returning to Damascus to begin proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.
c. AD 45-49
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Barnabas and Paul embark on their first major missionary journey, traveling through Asia Minor, establishing churches, and facing various challenges. This period solidifies Paul's role as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Peter's initial preaching connects baptism with the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, echoing Ananias's words to Paul about washing away sins through invoking Jesus' name.
Titus 3:5Paul himself later refers to the 'washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,' showing how he understood baptism as a powerful symbol of spiritual cleansing he received.
1 Corinthians 6:11Paul directly mentions being 'washed' and 'sanctified' in the name of Jesus Christ, mirroring the idea of sins being washed away that Ananias impressed upon him.
Hebrews 10:22This passage encourages approaching God with 'hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and bodies washed with pure water,' drawing a parallel between outward cleansing and inner purification represented by baptism.
Romans 10:13The instruction to 'call on the name of the Lord' to be saved directly relates to Ananias telling Paul to be baptized, calling on Jesus' name, highlighting the essential link between invocation and salvation.
ellicottActs 22:16: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
(16) Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins. —Here, again, we have words which are not in the narrative of Acts 9. They show that for the Apostle that baptism was no formal or ceremonial act, but was joined with repentance, and, faith being presupposed, brought with it the assurance of a real forgiveness. In St. Paul’s language as to the “washing” (or, bath ) of rege…
wesleyActs 22:16: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
22:16 Be baptized, and wash away thy sins - Baptism administered to real penitents, is both a means and seal of pardon. Nor did God ordinarily in the primitive Church bestow this on any, unless through this means.
The verse emphasizes that baptism isn't just a symbolic act; it's the immediate next step in a process of actively invoking Christ's name for the washing away of sins. This means the cleansing isn't merely represented by the water, but is intrinsically tied to the invocation and the power of the name being called upon.
This comes right after Ananias has met Paul (then Saul) in Damascus, following Paul's dramatic conversion experience on the road. Ananias is relaying the Lord's instructions to Paul, emphasizing that his mission has changed from persecuting believers to proclaiming Christ.
This comes right after Ananias has met Paul (then Saul) in Damascus, following Paul's dramatic conversion experience on the road. Ananias is relaying the Lord's instructions to Paul, emphasizing that his mission has changed from persecuting believers to proclaiming Christ.
"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’" — The verse emphasizes that baptism isn't just a symbolic act; it's the immediate next step in a process of actively invoking Christ's name for the washing away of sins. This means the cleansing isn't…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026