Chapter 9
These notes are taken from the following teachers’ commentaries: John Wesley, Chuck Smith, Andrew Womack, Stanley Horton, and sometimes, Craig Keener and Tony Evans. Comments are also taken from The Passion Translation notes (TPT). Translations are taken from biblegateway.com (AMP for Amplified Bible). It is hoped that these comments will assist the reader in personal devotions in knowing Jesus.
Verses 1-2
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to The Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”
Horton. Damascus was the oldest and most important Syrian city. At this time, Damascus was probably outside the Roman Empire and under the rule of King Aretas of Arabia. Aretas was anti-Roman; so were the Jews. Thus, it seems that Aretas allowed Jews freedom and gave Jerusalem leaders authority over Jews in Damascus.
There were “synagogues” in Damascus, so it must have had a significant Jewish population. Saul his site of the Jewish converts to Christ in Damascus and it occasioned one of the most important events in the history of the church. See Acts 9:1-190; 22: 3-21; 26: 4-23. “Breathing out murderous threats” could be “threatening slaughter or murder.” Paul created an atmosphere around him of threats and murder so that he was constantly breathing it in. As oxygen keeps an athlete going, so this atmosphere kept Saul going. He put many in prison and voted to put them to death. 26:10; Gal. 1:13.
Saul probably went to Caiaphas for the letter to allow him to arrest members of “The Way” and bring them back to Jerusalem. There would be a trial before the Sanhedrin and a probable death sentence, like Stephen. Jesus is the “way of salvation,” “the way of life.” The believing women were as active as the men and he considered them the same threat level. See 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14,22; 18:25-26 for those who accepted the fulness of the Holy Spirit.
Saul considered women disciples as dangerous as men disciples, which speaks of their role in the early church. Women were outstanding in prayer, in Christian love and service. See Gal. 3:28.
Smith. Salvation is all about surrendering yourself to Jesus and acknowledging Him as Lord of your life. Instantaneously, your sins are forgiven. You are a child of God. The persecution Paul led caused the believers to flee through all Judea, and even further. Paul knew that there were believers in Damascus.
Womack. Acts 9:5 shows Saul was under conviction about Jesus being the Christ. Yet, here, he increases his persecution against the Christians. Often those who are the greatest persecutors of Christianity are the most convicted. Their actions attempt to drown out the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word “PHONOS,” translated “slaughter,” means “murder.” Paul’s goal was to kill Christians. In Acts 22:4 he admitted that he persecuted the disciples of the Lord unto death. Acts 26:10 reveals that Paul gave testimony against Christians that resulted in their deaths.
Saul’s first Scriptural appearance (Acts 7:58) shows him being present at Stephen’s stoning. Along with Acts 8:3, these scriptures make it clear that he was a persecutor of Christians prior to this time. This chapter details his dramatic conversion to belief in Christ. Saul immediately preached that Jesus is the Christ in the synagogues of Damascus (Acts 9:20) but had to flee that city to save his life (Acts 9:23-25).
Saul then went to Jerusalem, but Jesus’ disciples were afraid of him and weren’t convinced he was converted (Acts 9:26). Barnabas befriended him and finally got the Christians at Jerusalem to accept him (Acts 9:27). However, when the Grecians sought to slay him in Jerusalem (Acts 9:29) and after he had been told by the Lord to leave there (Acts 22:18-21), he fled to his hometown of Tarsus (Acts 9:30). Saul is not mentioned again in Scripture until years later when Barnabas went to Tarsus and took Saul with him to Antioch (Acts 11:25-26). Saul stayed with the believers in Antioch for one year, teaching the people, until they sent Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem with a gift for the saints there. Barnabas and Saul, along with John Mark, returned to Antioch from Jerusalem and then left on the first of three missionary journeys. In Acts 13:9 we find that Saul’s name was changed to Paul, and he became the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). In Galatians 1:17-24.
Paul gave us some insight into what he was doing between his conversion and the time that Barnabas sought him in Tarsus. He went into Arabia, then Damascus, and then three years later (after his conversion), he spent fifteen days with the Apostle Peter. He then went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia (where his hometown of Tarsus was located), where he was when Barnabas found him. It appears from this verse that the early Christians were still associating with the Jews at the synagogues, as was Paul’s custom. They, no doubt, were using this joint presence to evangelize the Jews.
Damascus was an ancient city first mentioned in Scripture in Genesis 14:15. David conquered Damascus and stationed Israelite troops there (2 Samuel 8:5-6). Ananias, who first ministered to Saul after his conversion, lived in Damascus where there were numerous Christians. Paul had to escape from Damascus by night in a basket that was let down over the city wall (Acts 9:22-25).
Verses 3-4.
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’”
Wesley. And suddenly — When God suddenly and vehemently attacks a sinner, it is the highest act of mercy. So, Saul, when his rage was come to the height, is taught not to breathe slaughter. And what was wanting in time to confirm him in his discipleship, is compensated by the inexpressible terror he sustained. By his also the suddenly constituted apostle was guarded against the grand snare into which novices are apt to fall.
Horton. Damascus was 140 miles northeast of Jerusalem, as the crow flies, but 200 miles by roads. Near the end of his journey, a light from heaven, like lightening flashed around Saul. It continued to shine brighter than the noonday sun. See 26:13. Light in the Bible is often associated with manifestations of the Lord’s presence or of his glory (Shekinah Glory). See Mt. 17:2 for Jesus’ face so shining. See Jo. 17:5; I Cor. 15:52-53. Jesus came to Paul and the risen and glorified Christ. I Cor. 15:8. Orientals prostrated themselves to show humility, respect, and sometimes worship.
When Luke writes of Saul, he uses the Greek form (Saulos). When Jesus spoke to him, he used the Hebrew form (Saoul). Paul later confirms that Jesus was speaking in Hebrew (Acts. 26:14) (possibly Aramaic). Jesus called his name twice. God sometimes did this in the OT. See Gen. 22:11 (Abraham), Gen. 46:2 (Jacob), and Ex. 3:4 (Moses).
Smith. Jesus spoke to Paul out of the Shekinah Glory as God spoke to Moses out of a burn bush. Paul had been persecuting the church, but Jesus asked, “why do you persecute me?” This is how closely Jesus relates to us. Touching wrongfully a believer is touching wrongfully Jesus. Lu. 10:16. To take animosity that a person feels against Jesus it to bear it for Jesus.
It's possible, but we don’t know if Paul was in the crowd when Jesus was crucified. He approved of, witnessed Stephen’s death, and heard his last prayer. Paul heard Stephen preach that sermon before the Council. What impact did Stephen’s prayer have on Paul?
Wesley. He heard a voice — Severe, yet full of grace.
Womack. By comparing this account of Saul’s conversion with his accounts in Acts 22 and 26, we get a more complete story. Below are added details that Paul gave when testifying to the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22) and King Agrippa (Acts 26). The Lord appeared at noon (Acts 22:6) or midday (Acts 26:13). The light was brighter than the noonday sun and encompassed those who were traveling with him (Acts 26:13). Everyone fell to the ground (Acts 26:14) and heard the voice (Acts 9:7) but, except for Paul, didn’t recognize it as a voice (Acts 22:9. Jesus spoke to Paul in the Hebrew language. Acts 26:14. Acts 26:14 combines the Lord’s statements of “Why do you persecute me?” and “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” into one uninterrupted phrase, thus differing from Acts 9:5 and 22:8. It is probable that in Acts 26, Paul incorporated additional revelation that came to him in Damascus into the account of his conversion to make a point with King Agrippa, so chronological accuracy was not a factor.
Acts 22:8 adds that Jesus identified Himself as “Jesus of Nazareth.” Saul was to be told in Damascus all things that the Lord had planned for him (Acts 22:10). Saul’s blindness was a direct result of the brightness of the light (Acts 22:11). I suspect that this encounter helped form Saul’s doctrine on the unity of the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-20; Ephesians 2:14-20, and 4:11-16). He clearly saw that touching any member of Christ’s body was touching Him.
Jesus is touched personally by our problems. Saul persecuting Jesus and His saints, but Jesus said, “Why are you persecuting Me?” “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
Verse 5.
“Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied.”
In persecuting the church, Saul persecuted the Body of Christ whose individual members are in Christ. Mt. 25:40, 45; Ep. 1:22-23; 2:6. “it is dangerous, rough for you to. Kick against the ox goads.” Goads were sharp pointed rods about 8 feet long used to get balky animals to move. Like a man driving an ox, the Holy Spirit had been driving Saul toward the truth of the gospel, and Paul was “kicking against the goads.” Stephen’s arguments were a goad; the spread of the gospel was a goad; the response of believers to persecution were goads; the miracles that confirmed the word were goads. In resisting these things, Paul was seriously hurting himself. He may not have realized that they were goads.
Wesley. To kick against the goads — is a Syriac proverb, expressing an attempt that brings nothing but pain.
Womack. The New International Version omits Jesus telling Paul “it was hard for you to kick against the pricks” (King James Version). But in Acts 26:14, the NIV has Paul quoting this statement by the Lord as part of what happened. I have no idea why they chose to omit part of this scripture, as well as Matthew 17:21.
Saul knew whom he had been persecuting, and he had a very good idea who was talking to him. But as Acts 9:6 says, he was astonished and apparently found it hard to believe that he had been so wrong. However, in the awesome presence of God, he had the good sense to recognize that whoever this was, it was Lord.
The word used for “pricks” is “KENTRON,” and it means “a point or goad. A goad was a pointed stick used for urging on oxen, horses, and other beasts of burden. To “kick against the pricks,” was to fight against the Holy Spirit’s reproof and conviction. Saul had been under conviction for some time, possibly since the stoning of Stephen. Sometimes those who protest the loudest are the ones who are the most convicted. Saul’s severe persecution against the Christians was a manifestation of his internal conflict. He had been trained to adhere to the Law in the strictest sense, but there was a growing revelation inside him that Jesus had fulfilled the Law.
Verse 6.
“So, he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’”
KJV. “So, he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do? “Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Horton. Jesus told Paul to go into Damascus and he would hear more there. Paul gave more details in 26: 16-18; Gal 1:1, 11-12, 16. Paul was commissioned directly by Jesus.
Wesley. It shall be told thee — So God himself sends Saul to be taught by a man, as the angel does Cornelius, Acts 10:5. Admirable condescension! that the Lord deals with us by men, like ourselves.
Smith. Paul’s conversion happened the moment he acknowledged Jesus as Lord. Total surrender and acknowledgement of His lordship.
Womack. Jesus talked directly to Saul. He could have told Saul everything he needed to know, but He directed him into the city. He sent a man to tell him what he needed to know. The Lord delights in moving in ways that take faith to perceive Him and receive from Him (Hebrews 11:6).
There is no mention that the Lord told Saul how He would tell him what to do next. But in Acts 9:12, the Lord told Ananias that Saul had seen in a vision a man named Ananias laying hands on him to receive his sight. This must have happened during the three days after this encounter, before Ananias’s ministry to Saul.
Verse 7.
“The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.”
The men were “almost scared to death.” They heard a voice but saw no one. They feel to the ground also.
Smith. Believes that in 26:14, Paul told Agrippa that the voice spoke to him in Hebrew. Only scholars knew Hebrew. The servants would have known Aramaic, possibly Greek.
Wesley. The men — stood - Having risen before Saul; for they also fell to the ground, Acts 26:14. It is probable they all journeyed on foot. Hearing the noise — But not an articulate voice. And seeing the light, but not Jesus himself, Acts 26:13.
Womack. Acts 22:9 specifically states that the men with Saul saw the light but didn’t hear the voice. These two accounts can be harmonized by saying that the men heard the voice but couldn’t discern it, as in John 12:29.
Verses 8-9.
“Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing. So, they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything.”
Horton. Saul shut his eyes because of the brightness, but he saw Jesus. I Cor. 9:1; 15:8. He got up but couldn’t see. The Heb. Word for hand would include the forearm. For three days, he was as dependent on others as a little child. That he did not eat, or drink implies he was holding himself in readiness for further revelation. The Jewish day of reckoning would have Day 1, the day he entered Damascus; day 2; and then day 3 – the day Ananias came.
Wesley. And he was three days — An important season! So long he seems to have been in the pangs of the new birth. Without sight — By scales growing over his eyes, to intimate to him the blindness of the state he had been in, to impress him with a deeper sense of the almighty power of Christ, and to turn his thoughts inward, while he was less capable of conversing with outward objects. This was likewise a manifest token to others, of what had happened to him in his journey, and ought to have humbled and convinced those bigoted Jews, to whom he had been sent from the Sanhedrim.
Smith. Paul started “breathing out threatening against the church” but a different man enters Damascus, one who couldn’t see and one who believed in Jesus. Radical transformation. Jesus changes us. 2 Cor. 5:17; 3:18. He left Jerusalem proud and arrogant with the power and authority of the High Priest behind him; he arrived in Damascus broken and blinded and someone leading him by the hand, but with the power and authority of King Jesus governing his life.
Womack. Oh, that all of us would have an encounter with Jesus so that we wouldn’t see anyone but Him. When we see Him as He is, we are changed into His likeness (1 John 3:1-2), and we never see others the same again. Praise God that Ananias was there. What if he hadn’t been waiting on the Lord? Would someone else have carried out the Lord’s bidding? Many times, the Lord’s will be done, because we aren’t all there, in the presence of the Lord. Lord, help me to always be THERE, listening for any instructions You have to give.
“Ananias” is the Greek form of the Hebrew “Hananiah” which means “Jah has favored.” Ananias is only mentioned here and Acts 22:12-16. This is his most important contribution to the history of the Gospel. Ananias was “a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there” (Acts 22:12). This made him an appropriate messenger for a skeptical Saul who had criticized Christians, probably over their lack of strict adherence to the Jewish Law.
Ananias showed maturity and faith to go to Saul and identify himself as a Christian, knowing that Saul had come to Damascus to persecute Christians. When the Lord called for him, Ananias was there. He spent time waiting in the presence of the Lord. It is possible that this is the only time the Lord ever appeared to him in a vision and gave him such an assignment. Tradition holds that Ananias was the first bishop of Damascus and that he suffered martyrdom.
Miraculous manifestations, such as Ananias had here, are not everyday occurrences. Some of the mightiest people of God in the Bible went years between direct miraculous encounters with God, yet the thing that made them mighty was that they were constantly in communion with God during those times when there were no blinding revelations or dramatic instructions. Many have missed being used of God as Ananias was because they are so impatient for the miraculous that they failed to get in the presence of God day by day.
Visions are supernatural presentations of visual (and many times audible) messages from God to the minds of people. If people are asleep when they happen, then they are dreams, or what the Bible calls night visions (Genesis 46:2, Job 33:15, Daniel 2:19, and Acts 18:9), and they are seen not with physical eyes but are mental images. When people are awake and see visions, it is the Lord showing them something in their mind’s eye, even though to the people they may be so real that they think they saw with their physical eyes. In the case of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 8-11), others were present when he had his vision (Ezekiel 8:1), but they were not transported “in the visions of God” to Jerusalem (Ezekiel 8:3) as he was. Ezekiel’s body stayed put while he experienced being transported to Jerusalem in his mind. In Acts 12:9, Peter didn’t think that what he was experiencing was real but rather a vision. This leads us to conclude that visions are not physical realities but spiritual happenings.
Trances and visions are the same thing according to Numbers 24:4, 16; Acts 10:10, and 19. In trances or visions, people’s physical eyes are open and usually fixed in a stare, but they do not receive normal physical images. Instead, they receive direct supernatural images from God.
The transfiguration of Jesus was called a vision (Matthew 17:9) and is therefore possibly something that didn’t suddenly happen physically. Instead, the disciples’ spiritual eyes were opened to glimpse the glory of Jesus that was always there, but they had been blinded to it when looking through their physical eyes. This would be the same thing that happened to Elisha’s servant when the Lord opened his spiritual eyes to see the horses and chariots of fire surrounding them (2 Kings 6:17). The Scriptures clearly state that Abraham (Genesis 15:1), Jacob (Genesis 46:2), Balaam (Numbers 24:4 and 16), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:15), Nathan (2 Samuel 7:17 and 1 Chronicles 17:15), Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:1, 7:13, 8:3, and 11:24), Daniel (Daniel 2:19, 8:1-2, and 9:21-24), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:28), Zacharias (Luke 1:22), Peter (Acts 10:10, 19), John (Revelation 9:17), Ananias (here), Cornelius (Acts 10:3), and Paul (Acts 16:9-10, 18:9; and 2 Corinthians 12:1) all had visions. Although the word “vision” is not mentioned, the criteria of a vision was met with Elisha’s servant (2 Kings 6:17) and Micaiah (1 Kings 22:19-22).
Smith. Paul wasn’t eating, drinking, but thinking, repenting, praying during those 3 days. Phil. 3:7-8.
Verses 10-12.
“Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he answered, Here am I, Lord. And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying there. And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”
Horton. Jesus appeared to Ananias in a vision and Ananias was an ordinary man – not an apostle, prophet, or leader. He was converted but respected by his fellow Jews. Straight Street was the city’s main street. It was about 50 wide lined with columns and ran east/west.
Wesley. Behold he is praying — He was shown thus to Ananias. A man called Ananias — His name also was revealed to Saul.
Smith. God can use anyone, and God won’t follow a human pattern. Heretofore, He had used in the main (at least from the written record) apostles and deacons. Ananias was neither. Visions are when we are awake. For a strict Pharisee, it was normal to pray three times each day, and go to the morning and afternoon Temple prayers.
Womack. Notice how specific this word of knowledge was. Ananias was given 1) the street name, 2) the house owner’s name, 3) Saul’s name, 4) that Saul was praying and had seen a man named Ananias praying for him to receive his sight. Yet the Lord didn’t tell Ananias the exact house. He had to inquire of the people there which house Judas lived in. Judas was a Jewish name, and I’m sure people in that street knew which house the Jew lived in.
Tarsus was the capital of Cilicia and Paul’s birth city. Paul was brought up in Jerusalem “at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3), but he returned to Tarsus after his conversion and stayed until Barnabas sought him out and he began his public ministry.
The Lord said Saul had already seen in a vision Ananias coming and laying hands on him to receive sight. So, the Lord put His integrity on the line by saying what Ananias would do.
Some might say that the Lord “sovereignly” arranged this, but He doesn’t control us without our cooperation. Ananias had a choice, but the Lord knew he would obey even though he might be persecuted by Saul. The Lord had confidence in Ananias. May each of us be so obedient to the Lord that He can count on us.
It is evident that the Lord gave Saul a mental picture of this vision, because Saul was blind at this time.
Verses 13-14.
“But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard many people talk about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem. Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call upon Your name.”
Horton. Ananias objected at first due to Paul’s prior record of persecution. The Jewish Christians in Damascus knew that Paul had authority from the Jerusalem Chief Priest to jail believers.
Wesley. But he answered — How natural it is to reason against God. All that call on thy name — That is, all Christians.
Smith. This is the first-time believers are called “saints.” Saints are “holy, separated, dedicated ones, consecrated to his service.” The Bible uses this term for believers because they turned their back on the world to follow Jesus. “Saint” does not imply perfection; rather it means that “they are headed in the right direction.” Paul later calls believers “saints” 40 times in his preaching and writing.
Womack. Saul was the foremost persecutor of Christians in his day (Acts 22:4, 19-20; 26:10-11). Ananias knew that he could be killed.
The Greek word hagios is translated “saints” (and fifty-nine other times in the New Testament). The same word is translated “holy” 163 times. It refers to our righteous and holy legal position in Christ (Ephesians 4:24). Although some believers manifest more holiness than others, there is no scriptural precedent for elevating an elite group to “sainthood.” Every born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is a saint.
Ananias knew that this contact with the greatest persecutor of the church could be fatal. His obedience shows his love and obedience for the Lord. This was true of all the believers in Damascus. If Ananias knew about Paul, the rest of the church there probably knew it too, yet they hadn’t fled. They were not afraid of persecution. They loved Jesus more than they loved their own lives (Revelation 12:11).
Verses 15-16.
But the Lord said to him, go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel. For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name’s sake.
Jesus told Ananias again to go with the assurance that Paul was his choses vessel. “Vessel” – the idea is chosen agent – to carry his name to the nations, to Kings, and to Israel.
Smith. Paul’s ministry was: 1) to the Gentile nations; 2) to political rulers, including Kings (fulfilled in Nero and Agrippa at least); and 3) to Jews. Paul’s dad was from the tribe of Benjamin. He spent the first 14 years of his life being taught by his father. At 14, Paul went to Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Having grown up in a Grecian culture, he could speak to Gentiles. I Cor. 9:20-23.
Wesley. He is a chosen vessel to bear my name — That is, to testify of me. It is undeniable, that some men are unconditionally chosen or elected, to do some works for God. For I — Do thou as thou art commanded. I will take care of the rest; will show him - In fact, through the whole course of his ministry. What great things he must suffer — So far will he be now from persecuting others.
Womack. It is amazing that Jesus sent Saul to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews. It would have been logical for Saul to go to the Jews and Peter to the Gentiles. Saul would have been able to argue the Law with the Jews, which Peter wasn’t qualified to do, and Peter was more like a Gentile than a Jew, unlike Saul. But God’s ways are different than men’s ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The Lord didn’t show Saul the wonderful things awaiting him, but the things he would suffer for His sake. The scriptures don’t record what the Lord showed Paul about the things he would suffer, but it happened. Paul said, “the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me” (Acts 20:22-23).
Verse 17.
So, Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ananias called him brother as he prayed. He knew that Saul was a believer. The word “appeared” confirms that Paul saw Jesus before he was blinded. See also 9:27. He told Paul that God sent him for two reasons: 1) for healing of his eyes; 2) to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Remember Ananias was a layman. Ananias did not ask Paul to repent and believe. Nowhere in scripture is laying on of hands presented as a way to be saved.
Smith. What revelation Jesus must have given Ananias. Ananias called “brother” the one who had murdered Christians and who had come to Damascus to do the same.
Wesley. The Lord hath sent me — Ananias does not tell Saul all which Christ had said concerning him. It was not expedient that he should know yet to how great a dignity he was called.
Womack. Ananias’s coming confirmed to Saul that what he had experienced was really from God. All of the people with him had heard the voice but didn’t understand what was said. Ananias confirmed to Paul all the things that the Lord had said to him. This, along with his miraculous healing and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, was confirmed Paul in his new-found faith.
Ananias said, “Brother Saul.” This shows the complete forgiveness Jesus had extended toward a man who had persecuted His children. This must have really ministered to Saul.
Ananias acted on what the Lord told him instead of what he had heard from others. This is faith.
By reading Saul’s own account of this same instance (Acts 22:12-16), we see that Ananias also spoke to Saul about the call that God placed on his life, presumably from the information the Lord gave Ananias.
Verses 18-19.
And instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized, And after he took some food, he was strengthened. For several days afterward he remained with the disciples at Damascus.
Paul’s healing was immediate. By baptism, Paul declared the death of his old life, and that he had entered into new life with Jesus. Ananias is mentioned no more in scripture.
Womack. Some medical research has linked cataracts to exposure to the sun. It’s possible that this very bright light Saul encountered produced something like extreme cataracts, which fell off, and Saul saw again. But whatever this was, the healing was totally miraculous. I’m sure Ananias introduced Saul to the disciples at Antioch. This demonstrated great faith on their part to receive Saul into their fellowship.
Ananias is not mentioned in scripture again except in the retelling of this story, yet without his ministry we wouldn't have Paul’s ministry. Ananias will share in the Paul’s rewards (Matthew 10:41-42).
Verse 20-21.
And immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, saying, He is the Son of God! And all who heard him were amazed and said, Is not this the very man who harassed and overthrew and destroyed in Jerusalem those who called upon this Name? And he has come here for the express purpose of arresting them and bringing them in chains before the chief priests.
Paul first went to Israel. This is the first time in Acts that Jesus is called God’s son. Jo. 5:17-18; Ro. 1:4, 9; 8:3.
Smith. There is a gap of time between v. 19 and v. 20. See Galatian letter. The gap may have been 2-3 years. Jesus tutors Paul directly. Gal. 1: 11-12, 15-19.
Womack. I’m sure Saul still had many questions. How could faith in Christ supersede the Law? But he was faithful to preach what he knew. He knew he had experienced God, that His name was Jesus, and that he was to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. He didn’t let what he didn’t know keep him from proclaiming what he did know. What a testimony this must have been to the disciples at Damascus. The very man who came there to persecute Christians was the guest minister at the Sunday service.
Verse 22.
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound and put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing and examining evidence and proving that Jesus is the Christ the Messiah.
Horton. Paul was more and more filled with the power of the HS. Phil. 3: 13. He learned Divine Enablement. He argued from scripture that Jesus is Christ. Messiah is God’s anointed Prophet, Priest, and King. He showed how OT prophecies were fulfilled in Christ. Paul got these things from Jesus directly. Gal. 1: 12,16. He also left Damascus for a time and went to Arabia. He went east from Damascus and was soon in Arabia-maybe the desserts.
Smith. We must be able to prove from the Scriptures that Jesus is Messiah.
Womack. Even though it had been only days since his conversion, Saul was steeped in the Hebrew Scriptures. It was easy for the Holy Spirit to connect the scriptures that he knew to show that Jesus fulfilled them. Plus, Saul had been “kicking against the pricks” (Acts 9:5). The Holy Spirit had been convicting him prior to his Damascus road experience.
Verses 23-25.
After considerable time had elapsed, the Jews conspired to get Saul out of the way by slaying him. But the knowledge of their plot was made known to Saul. They were guarding the city’s gates day and night to kill him. But his disciples took him at night and let him down through the city’s wall, lowering him in a basket or hamper.
Horton. After three years, the unbelieving Jews decided to kill Paul. Probably counts as Jews do which included parts of years 1 and 3. 2 Cor. 11:32 says that King Aretas IV’s administration cooperated with, or was paid by, Jerusalem to imprison Paul. Paul also preached to the Nabatean Arabs. Paul was probably lowered in a basket down the wall about AD 38. Some houses had sections built over the City Wall.
Wesley. They guarded the gates day and night — That is, the governor did, at their request, 2 Corinthians 11:32.
Smith. Silence the truth: 1) It happened to Stephen; 2) It happened to Paul; 3) It happened to Jesus. Bringing the truth of Jesus Christ to lost and dying people will bring Paul persecution.
Womack. Saul became the object of his former hostility/attitude that he had helped promote.
Saul became the persecuted. He could see his former self in his persecutors. This uniquely qualified him for the hardships to come. Saul could foresee what the Jews would do.
In 2 Corinthians 11:32, Paul reveals that the governor sought to apprehend him. This is left out in the Acts narrative. No doubt he had observed the way the Christians he imprisoned had reacted to their arrests. Certainly, he had seen people who had such faith in God that they didn’t hide from him but proudly stood their ground regardless of the consequences. But Saul wasn’t at that place yet. He fled in the middle of the night, hiding in a basket.
Verse 26-27.
And when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate himself with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe he really was a disciple. However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and he explained to them how along the way he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached freely, confidently, and courageously in the name of Jesus.
Horton. This visit is identified with the visit mentioned in Gal. 1: 18-24. Paul tried to join the disciples in the worship and service of the church, but all were afraid of him. This was a trick or deception to identify church members to destroy them. The “son of encouragement” came to Paul and took him to Peter and James. Gal. 1:18-24 show that Paul met only Peter and James, the Lord’s brother. Jesus had appeared to him specially. I Cor. 15:7.
Wesley. And coming to Jerusalem — Three years after, Galatians 1:18. These three years St. Paul passes over, Acts 22:17, likewise. To the apostles — Peter and James, Gal. I, 18,19. Galatians 1:18-19 And declared - He who has been an enemy to the truth ought not to be trusted till he gives proof that he is changed.
Smith. Paul spent three years in the Arabian desert learning from Jesus directly, returned to Damascus, and then to Jerusalem. He is shunned by the disciples. Barnabas told the apostles that Paul and seen the Lord, heard his audible voice, and preached Christ boldly in Damascus. It may be that Jerusalem persecution from the Jews had died down but Paul’s return to Jerusalem stirred it up among the Jews again.
Womack. The Jerusalem believers were more skeptical of Paul’s intentions than the Damascus believers (Acts 9:19-25). Ananias was the Damascus church leader who removed their doubts about Saul’s intentions by his account of what happened to Paul (Acts 9:10-18).
This verse implies that Paul went immediately from Damascus to Jerusalem. However, in Galatians 1:15-18, Paul implied that three years passed after his conversion before he went to Jerusalem and spent fifteen days with the Apostle Peter. It is possible that during the “many days” of Acts 9:23, Paul went to Arabia, returned to Damascus, but the Jerusalem disciples’ fear of him makes it look like Saul’s appearance in Jerusalem was shortly after his conversion. If this took place three years later, it seems most Christians would have viewed his noticeable lack of persecution of the saints as proof that his conversion was genuine.
It is also possible that Galatians 1:18 and this account are describing two separate trips to Jerusalem. Saul could have gone to Jerusalem immediately after leaving Damascus and then returned three years later and spent fifteen days with the Apostle Peter. The statement in Galatians 1:17, “Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me,” is emphasizing the fact that Paul was not taught his NT revelation by any of the apostles; it does not rule out that he visited Jerusalem since his conversion. Another explanation is that Paul spent three years between Damascus and Arabia then went to Jerusalem where he spent fifteen days with Peter (Galatians 1:18).
Verses 28-29.
So, he went in and out as one among the disciples at Jerusalem. Preaching freely, confidently and boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke, discussed with, and disputed against the Hellenists the Grecian Jews, and they were seeking to slay him.
Paul’s main opponent at this time was the Greek speaking Jews who had migrated to Jerusalem. He went the Hellenistic synagogues, including the same one that had debated with Stephen. Acts 6:9. He did not visit Judean churches (churches outside Jerusalem). Gal. 1:22. The Hellenistic Jews also tried to kill Paul. I Thes. 2:15.
Smith. Wherever Paul went, his sermons either caused revival or riots or both.
Womack. This verse gives the impression that the believers accepted Saul’s conversion. He had access to believers’ meetings. Such access would have proved dangerous if he faked his conversion.
The term “Grecians” refers to Jews whose first language and culture were Greek, as opposed to the Jews who spoke Hebrew. This verse does not refer to Gentiles. The New Testament church had not accepted Gentile Christians. See their reaction to Cornelius’ conversation (Acts 10:1-11:18).
Verse 30.
And when the brethren found it out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus, his hometown.
When the Jerusalem brothers learned of Paul’s danger, they took him to Caesarea, and sent him by ship to Tarsus. Jesus had also appeared to Paul and told him to leave Jerusalem 22:17-21. They had a dual purpose of sending him as a missionary to Tarsus. 21: 39; 22:3. In Jerusalem, Paul had only debated the Jews. Tarsus was 300 miles north and was the capital and most important city of Cilicia. It was third behind Athens and Alexandria in educational opportunities.
Smith. Paul spent 7 silent years in Tarsus. We have no record of those 7 years. We assume that they were years of study and preparation. He has ordained a life mission for each of us. So, it was ten years from his conversion to the beginning of his ministry.
Womack. This verse implies that Saul went straight from Jerusalem to Tarsus. This would mean that his three years in the desert, spoken of in Galatians 1:17-18, and then his trip to Jerusalem would have been before this time, or else he left Tarsus and went into Arabia and then returned to Tarsus where Barnabas found him (Acts 11:25).
Verse 31.
So, the church throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was edified; it grew in wisdom, virtue, and piety, and walked in the respect and reverential fear of the Lord and in the consolation and exhortation of the Holy Spirit. The church continued to increase and multiply.
Wesley. Then the Church — The whole body of Christian believers, had peace - Their bitterest persecutor being converted. And being built up — In holy, loving faith, continually increasing, and walking in - That is, speaking and acting only from this principle, the fear of God and the comfort of the Holy Ghost - An excellent mixture of inward and outward peace, tempered with filial fear.
Smith. We add to the church, God multiples. The church continued “in the fear of the Lord” and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Horton. The church enjoyed peace. Both Galilee and Samaria were evangelized. It must have been done by 8:1, although Luke gives no details. They lived a life in full reverence for Him, in loving obedience to His Word, worshipping Him, and serving Him in the Holy Spirit.
Womack. The church needs to be edified, walk in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 8:13), and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, for multiplication to happen.
The word “edified” is translated from the Greek word “OIKODOMEO,” which means “to be a housebuilder, to construct or to confirm.” It came to be used metaphorically in the sense of edifying” It is translated “emboldened” in 1 Corinthians 8:10. Therefore, the churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria were built up, encouraged, or made bold.
Verse 32.
Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he went down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
Horton. Luke turns to Peter. Peter and Paul were doing the same thing. Lydda was 24 miles Northwest of Jerusalem on the road to Joppa.
Smith. All who have put their faith and trust in Jesus are saints.
Womack. Peter visited the churches to give instructions and encouragement - like a circuit-riding preacher.
Lydda is the same as the Old Testament (and modern) city of Lod (1 Chronicles 8:12 and Ezra 2:33). It is located about eleven miles southeast of Joppa and nineteen miles northwest of Jerusalem. Today Israel’s main international airport is near ancient Lydda.
Verses 33-35.
There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedfast for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ the Messiah now makes you whole. Get up and make your bed! And immediately Aeneas stood up. Then all the inhabitants of Lydda and the plain of Sharon saw what had happened to Aeneas, and they turned to the Lord.
Horton. This miracle caused the salvation of many.
Wesley. Lydda was a large town, one day’s journey from Jerusalem. It stood in the plain or valley of Sharon, which extended from Caesarea to Joppa, and was noted for its fruitfulness.
Smith. Peter had the gift of faith, the gift of healing and miracles. Anyone who denies miracles denies salvation, because salvation is a miracle.
Womack. This is the only mention of Aeneas in Scripture. Peter spoke healing and that Jesus made him whole. The man responded in faith. If people respond in faith to what the Word has proclaimed concerning their healing (1 Peter 2:24), we will see people miraculously healed too. We don't know the population of Lydda but, all who dwelt there turned to the Lord. This was revival.
Saron is the region or district where Lydda was located. A miracle from God caused people to be born again.
Verse 36.
Now there was at Joppa a disciple, a woman, named in Aramaic Tabitha, which in Greek means Dorcas. She was abounding in good deeds and acts of charity.
Horton. Joppa was a seaport. On the Mediterranean coast about 11 miles Northwest of Lydda and 35 miles from Jerusalem (as the crow flies). Dorcas is a ‘symbol of gracefulness.’ The same word is used for the Bride in the Song of Songs. She had the gift of helps. I Cor. 12:28.
Wesley. Tabitha, which is by interpretation Dorcas — She was probably a Hellenist Jew, known among the Hebrews by the Syriac name Tabitha, while the Greeks called her in their own language, Dorcas. They are both words of the same import and signify a roe or fawn.
Smith. Cephas’ was Peter’s Hebrew name; Petros was his Greek name. Saul was the Hebrew name; Paul or Paulos was Greek. Thomas is a Hebrew name; Didymus is Greek.
Womack. Joppa is the modern-day city of Jaffa, a thriving Israeli metropolis on the Mediterranean Seacoast, approximately thirty miles northwest of Jerusalem. It is an ancient city. Joppa was assigned to the tribe of Dan when the Hebrews divided the Promised Land (Japho, Joshua 19:46). Solomon used Joppa’s harbor as Jerusalem’s port when building the temple (2 Chronicles 2:16). It was also used in the rebuilding of the temple by Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:7). Jonah fled Joppa from the Lord on a ship bound for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). Peter took up residence in Joppa for a time (Acts 9:43) and was there when Cornelius sent for him (Acts 10:5-6).
Dorcas was a Greek name, while Tabitha was Aramaic or Syrian. Both names mean “gazelle” (Strong’s Concordance). Dorcas was one of the Lord’s disciples in Joppa. She used her talents to minister to others, and this endeared her to the other believers.
We are saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:8-10), not through good works. Dorcas’ gift of helps (good works) allowed her to bless people.
Verse 37-39.
About that time, she fell sick and died, and when they had cleansed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, however, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him begging him, ‘do come to us without delay. So, Peter immediately rose and accompanied them. And when he had arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, crying and displaying undershirts tunics and other] garments such as Dorcas was accustomed to make while she was with them.
Horton. While Peter was at Lydda, Dorcas died. They washed her body, something usually done in preparation for burial, but they did not anoint the body and were not expecting to bury her. Instead, they placed her in an upstairs room and sent men to ask for Peter to come. That her home had a second floor meant that she was wealthy. They sent for Peter and asked him to come immediately. The normal practice would be to bury a person on the day of death. Peter arrived in about 3 hours.
Wesley. The disciples sent to him — Probably none of those at Joppa had the gift of miracles. Nor is it certain that they expected a miracle from him. While she was with the in — That is, before she died.
Womack. Acts 9:36 speaks of Tabitha’s good works. She was a godly woman, but she died. Sickness and death aren’t always symptoms of sin in our lives, although sin can be a cause. We live in a fallen world, and bad things happen to good people. However, that doesn’t mean we are powerless against these natural things. The Lord has given us power to overcome, as Peter demonstrated here.
The fact that they washed her after she died and before they put her in the upper chamber means she had been dead for a while. This makes the fact that she came back to life with no brain damage an even greater miracle.
Why didn’t the disciples raise Dorcas from the dead? Why did they send for Peter? It wasn’t because only apostles had the power to raise someone from the dead. Jesus said in John 14:12 that those who believed on Him would do the same works that He did, and that included raising people from the dead (Luke 7:11-15 and John 11:43-44). He also said in Mark 9:23, “All things are possible to him that believeth.” Peter himself had explained that the miracles he performed were not because of who he was but because of faith in the name of Jesus. These disciples had the name of Jesus and faith, so they could have done what Peter did. There are many possible reasons why these disciples didn’t see Dorcas raised from the dead without Peter’s assistance. It is most probable, however, that they were hindered by unbelief, as Peter and the other apostles had been in Matthew 17:20. Jesus had to help them when their unbelief had prevailed, and now that he had become strong, it was Peter’s turn to help others.
time was of the essence. God is not affected by time; it is not harder for God to resurrect someone who has been dead for a week than someone who has been dead for a few minutes. However, the people involved in believing for this miracle were affected by time. When it comes to raising someone from the dead, the quicker the better.
This is the first recorded instance of Peter raising someone from the dead. He had been with Jesus on three occasions when He raised the dead (Mark 5:38-42, Luke 7:11-16, and John 11:38-45), but this was Peter’s first time. What must have been going through his mind and heart as he journeyed toward Joppa? Certainly, he must have thought of Jesus’ words when He promised him, he could do the same works (John 14:12).
Verses 40-41.
But Peter put them all out of the room and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, Tabitha, get up! And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she raised herself and sat upright. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling in God’s people and the widows, he presented her to them alive.
Horton. Peter sent them all out of the room as Jesus had (Mr. 5:40). See Lu. 8:54. An atmosphere of unbelief is not conducive to miracles. See Mt. 10:8.
Wesley. Peter having put them all out — That he might have the better opportunity of wrestling with God in prayer, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up — Who can imagine the surprise of Dorcas, when called back to life? Or of her friends, when they saw her alive? For the sake of themselves, and of the poor, there was cause of rejoicing, and much more, for such a confirmation of the Gospel. Yet to herself it was matter of resignation, not joy, to be called back to these scenes of vanity: but doubtless, her remaining days were still more zealously spent in the service of her Savior and her God. Thus was a richer treasure laid up for her in heaven, and she afterward returned to a more exceeding weight of glory, than that from which so astonishing a providence had recalled her for a season.
Womack. Just like Jesus, Elijah, and Elisha, Peter sought seclusion when raising Dorcas from the dead.
Peter prayed before he spoke to Tabitha (Dorcas) and commanded her to arise. Peter’s purpose in praying was to discern the Lord’s will. It is always God’s perfect will to heal. However, certain things can keep God’s will from coming to pass (Mark 11:25-26, James 1:5-7, and 1 Peter 3:7). Some degree of faith must be present among those receiving the miracle. There is a sin unto death that we are not supposed to pray for (1 John 5:16), and there are many other possible hindrances that keep us from commanding God’s perfect will to come. When administering a healing or resurrection, we must be led of God and address situations that might hinder answered prayer. Peter is not recorded as praying in Acts 3 when he healed the lame man, but he did listen to God and discern the situation.
This is the first account of Jesus’ disciples raising someone from the dead. Paul raised a young man named Eutychus, in the town of Troas, from the dead (Acts 20:7-12). It is also possible that Paul himself was raised from the dead (Acts 14:19-20); at least those who were trying to kill him thought he was dead. It didn’t take a long time to see Dorcas rise from the dead. Peter prayed to the Lord and then spoke to Dorcas, and she awoke immediately. There is no record of Peter binding death or rebuking it. He simply discerned God’s will and then spoke it forth with perfect results.
We are not told how long Dorcas was dead, but it certainly had to be many hours. Even though Joppa was close to Lydda, it probably took three to four hours for men to reach Peter, and then they had to return. In the natural, there should have been brain damage, since Dorcas had gone without oxygen for hours. This was a complete miracle. Thank You, Jesus!
Verse 42-43.
And this became known throughout all Joppa, and many came to believe on the Lord to adhere to and trust in and rely on Him as the Christ and as their Savior. And Peter remained in Joppa for considerable time with a certain Simon a tanner.
Smith. Healing miracles lead to salvation miracles. God is breaking down barriers in Peter’s life – he is staying with a tanner. A tanner dealt with dead animals and anyone who touched dead animals was unclean. Tanners were not permitted to live in the city limits. If a father betrothed his daughter unknowingly to a tanner, he could void the marriage.
Womack. God’s healing power brought people to faith in the Lord. We need to follow that example (Mark 16:17-20). Some scholars believe this was about eight years after the resurrection of Jesus. Simon is only mentioned in this scripture (Acts 9:43; 10:6, 17, and 32). Tanners were considered unclean people by the Jews because they handled dead bodies.