Introductory remarks:
"Saul requests papers giving him power to capture believers in Damascus. On the way, Jesus appears to him and asks him why he persecutes Him. Saul is blinded and led to the city. Ananias is told in a vision to go to Saul and heal him. Saul begins to preach of Jesus in the synagogues and becomes an enemy of the Jews" (Brenda's Survey of Acts). Saul once preyed on the Christians and now he is praying for them. The first eight chapters of Acts, we read of the acts of the Holy Spirit through Peter; and now beginning with chapter nine, we have the acts of the Holy Spirit through Paul. This chapter may be outlined as follows: the conversion of Saul vv. 1-19; Saul preaches at Damascus vv. 20-22; Saul escapes from the Jews vv. 23-25; Saul at Jerusalem vv. 26-31; the healing of Aeneas vv. 32-35; Dorcas restored to life vv. 36-43.
The Conversion of Saul
(Acts 22:6-16; 26:12-18)
Verses 1, 2, "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem."
LGT "But Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter towards the disciples of the Lord, having come to the high priest, asked from him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, so that if any found of the way, being both men and women, having bound, he might bring them to Jerusalem."
The disciples of the Lord were scattered out into all parts of the country because of the great persecution beginning against the first church. The apostles, however, remained in Jerusalem. Saul hated the Christians, and he felt it was his God given duty to exterminate them. He went to the high priest and petitioned him to give him a letter authorizing him to go into the synagogues, and wherever he might find these Christians of the way (a term used of these who found the way of life) and bring them to Jerusalem for trial, both men and women.
Verse 3, "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:"
LGT "But in proceeding, it came to pass he drew near to Damascus; and suddenly a light flashed round about him out of heaven:"
As Saul journeyed to Damascus a great light flashed out from heaven upon him.
Verse 4, "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"
LGT "And having fallen on the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?"
"Paul will recount this incident twice more in the Book of Acts. In fact, Paul never tired of telling about his conversion. We find him going over it again in his Epistle to the Philippians where he gets right down to the heart of the matter and tells what really happened to him. Here we are simply given the facts. He will go over them again when he gives his testimony before King Agrippa - that is a masterpiece" (McGee).
Verse 5, "And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."
LGT "And he said, Who art thou, Sir? And He [said], I am Jesus whom you are persecuting:"
Saul asks the question, Who art thou Sir? As is the case on many occasions the word "lord" simply means sir; it should probably be used as sir here because he would have had no way of knowing the Lord. Saul was highly educated, but he never had the occasion to know who the Lord might be. Jesus identifies Himself as the One whom Saul had been persecuting. The last phrase "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks" was transferred from Acts 26:14.
Verse 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."
LGT "But rise up and enter into the city, and it shall be told you what is necessary for you to do."
The first part of this verse is not in the better manuscripts; the verse is literally how I have translated it from the Greek NT. Jesus tells Saul to go into the city [Damascus] and he would be shown what He wants from him. A note of encouragement is made here that as Saul was converted, he immediately was directed to a mature believer for guidance; this is often the case today with new believers; that is why we should never shun a new convert for his or her ignorance, but take note from this passage, that the Lord may have directed them to us so that we may be of help in their growing pains.
Verse 7, "And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man."
LGT "But the men, the ones who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, but seeing no one."
It is not recorded who Saul's companions were, but it does record that they heard the sound of a voice, but could not distinguish what was said by the Lord, and that they stood speechless, or dumbfounded.
Verse 8, "And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus."
LGT "And Saul rose up from the earth, and his eyes having been opened, he was seeing nothing: but leading him by the hand, they brought [him] into Damascus."
Seeing the glory of the Lord Jesus blinded Saul, and now the great persecutor of the Christians, had to be led to Damascus as a little child.
Verse 9, "And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."
LGT "And he was three days not seeing, and did not eat nor drink."
Saul was overwhelmed by his sudden conversion; I am sure their was a great turmoil in his soul because of his past life; he had gone out with reckless abandon to kill as many Christians as he could, and now he has been confronted by the Jesus whom he tried to rid any vestige of that name. Any one who has experienced great stress of soul knows what it is like to lose ones appetite.
Verse 10, "And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here Lord."
LGT "And there was a certain disciple in Damascus by name Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold [here am] I, Lord."
Ananias was a Jewish Christian for some time, and had known of Saul, and that would be the reason for the vision, for certainly Ananias would have been fearful of Saul, knowing his reputation. The Lord chose Ananias as the one that would be right to help establish Saul in the faith.
Verse 11, "And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,"
LGT "And the Lord [said] to him, Having risen up, go into the street, the one called Straight, and seek in [the] house of Judas, [one] Saul by name, of Tarsus: for behold, he prays."
The street was named Straight because it ran "straight from the Eastern to the Western gates of the city" (Vincent). Ananias was instructed that he would find Saul of Tarsus in the house of one Judas. Of Tarsus Barnes notes:
"This city was the capital of Cilicia, a province of Asia Minor. It was situated on the banks of the river Cydnus. It was distinguished for the culture of Greek philosophy and literature, so that at one time in its schools, and in the number of its learned men, it was the rival of Athens and Alexandria. In allusion to this, Paul says that he was 'born in Tarsus, a citizen of no mean city,' (Acts 21:39). In reward for its exertions and sacrifices during the civil wars of Rome, Tarsus was made a free city by Augustus. It still exists as Tersous, with a population of about 20,000, but is described as filthy and ruinous."
For behold, he prays, was an indication to Ananias that a great change had taken place in this Saul of Tarsus. Before Saul prayed, as a Jew, in his own self-righteousness, and now he is praying for forgiveness; before Saul preyed upon the Christians, as his victims, now he is praying for them as his brother. This statement should have put Ananias' heart at ease.
Verse 12, "And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight."
LGT "And he saw[ in a vision] a man by name Ananias, coming and putting on him a hand, so that he should receive sight."
Saul has the assurance through a vision that a man named Ananias will be coming in to heal him of his temporary blindness.
Verses 13, 14, "Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name."
LGT "And Ananias answered, Lord, I heard from many concerning this man, how many evils he did to Thy saints in Jerusalem: and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name."
Ananias answers the Lord with his own reservations concerning Saul: I have heard from many concerning this man; Ananias probably heard from the Christians who had fled from Jerusalem because of the ongoing persecution; and from letters he received from Christians in Jerusalem. He had heard that Saul had the authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on the name of Christ.
Verses 15, 16, "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."
LGT "And the Lord said to him, Go, a vessel of election to Me is this [man] to bear My name before Gentiles and kings, and [the] sons of Israel: for I will show to him how much it is necessary for him to suffer for My name."
Jesus assures Ananias that he has nothing to worry about, because He has elected Saul for a ministry (1) to the Gentiles, and (2) before kings, and (3) to the children of Israel. When the Lord speaks of election it is always to something, and not from something. We are all saved by faith alone in Christ alone, and then our election to be conformed to the image of Christ is secure.
Verse 17, "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."
LGT "And Ananias went his way and entered into the house; and having laid upon him [his] hands, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus, the One who appeared to you in the way in which you came, that you might receive sight and be filled with [the] Holy Spirit."
Ananias upon entering the house where Saul was praying, lays his hands on him and immediately calls Saul his brother. Saul was baptized with the Holy Spirit on the road to Damascus, but now through the laying on of Ananias' hands, Saul is now filled with the Holy Spirit. Before the Bible was complete, the filling of the Spirit came through the laying on of hands; today the filling of the Holy Spirit comes to the believer by the confession of sins; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Verse 18, "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
LGT "And immediately fell from his eyes, as it were, scales, and he received sight, and having arisen up was baptized."
Notice that Saul was baptized with the Holy Spirit when he received Christ on the road to Damascus, then he was filled with the Spirit with the laying on of the disciples hands, and now he is being baptized with water, confirming outwardly what had already taken place on the inside.
Verse 19, "And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus."
LGT "And having taken food he was strengthened. And Saul was with the disciples in Damascus certain days."
Saul is given food and receives his strength back from his three day fast. This concludes one of the most amazing conversions in the history of Christianity.
Saul Preaches at Damascus
Verse 20, "And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."
LGT "And immediately he was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God."
The correct reading of this verse is he was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues; Jesus was His personal name, for it means Savior. It was at this name Jesus that infuriated the Sanhedrim; it was this name Jesus that Saul sought to stamp out before he was converted; it was this name Jesus, the Son of God that Saul was now more than proud to proclaim.
Verse 21, "But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?"
LGT "And all who heard were amazed, and said, Is not this he who destroyed in Jerusalem those who called on this name, and had come here in order that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?"
Saul was commissioned by the chief priests in Jerusalem to go to Damascus and bring all those he could find, who were calling on the name of Jesus, bound back to Jerusalem. It was well known to all what Saul's mission was; but something happened on that road to Damascus that changed Saul forever; Saul had seen the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ; now all were amazed at this supernatural reversal in Saul; he no longer sought to stamp out the Christians, he now proclaimed Jesus the Son of God, in order to enlarge the church of Jesus Christ.
Verse 22, "But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ."
LGT "But Saul increased the more in power, and confounded [the] Jews, the ones who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ."
As the opposition grew more intense, the more Saul grew in strength and wisdom to oppose those Jews. Saul proclaimed Jesus, whom they crucified in Jerusalem, as the Christ, the promised one that all Jews should have been waiting for. Saul was very intelligent; and between his natural ability, and the filling of the Holy Spirit, the Jews in Damascus were no match for Saul; they were confounded all around.
"Luke does not record Saul going into Arabia for several years (Gal. 1:12-24), but he leaves ample room for it at this point" (Robertson).
Saul Escapes from the Jews
Verse 23, "And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:"
LGT "Now when many days were fulfilled, the Jews consulted together to put him to death:"
This first phrase when many days were fulfilled is the interval left open by Luke for Saul's retreat into Arabia (Gal. 1:17) for the most part of three years, and then returned to Damascus. In the meanwhile the Jews were consulting together to kill Saul.
Verse 24, "But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him."
LGT "But their plot became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates both day and night that they might put him to death:"
The plot of the Jews became known to Saul, that they were watching the gates both day and night; how Saul knew it is not told.
Barnes notes:
"And they watched the gates: cities were surrounded by high walls, and of course the gates were presumed to be the only places of escape. As they supposed that Saul, apprised [described] of their designs, would make an attempt to escape, they stationed guards at the gates to intercept him. In 2 Cor. 11:32, it is said that the governor kept the city for the purpose of apprehending him. It is possible that the governor might have been a Jew, and one, therefore, who would enter into their views. Or if not a Jew, the Jews who were there might easily represent Saul as an offender, and demand his being secured, and thus a garrison or guard might be furnished them for their purpose."
Verse 25, "Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."
LGT "But the disciples, taking him by night, let [him] down through the wall, lowering [him] in a basket."
This incident is described in 2 Cor. 11:32,33. The men, whom Saul came to kill, are now helping him escape the Jews who were plotting his death. The Jews, when they were unable to best Saul in debate, plot to kill him.
Saul at Jerusalem
Verse 26, "And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple."
LGT "And Saul, having arrived at Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples, and all were afraid of him, not believing that he is a disciple."
"What memories Saul had on this return journey to Jerusalem after three years. He had left a conquering hero of Pharisaism. He returns distrusted by the disciples and regarded by the Pharisees as a renegade and a turncoat. He made no effort to get in touch with the Sanhedrim who sent him to Damascus. He had escaped the plots of the Jews in Damascus only to find himself the object of suspicion by the disciples in Jerusalem who had no proof of his sincerity in his alleged conversion. Not believing: they had probably heard of his conversion, but they frankly disbelieved the reports and regarded him as a hypocrite or a spy in a new role to ruin them" (Robertson).
Verse 27, "But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus."
LGT "But Barnabas having taken him, brought [him] to the apostles, and related to them how in the way he saw the Lord, and that He spoke to him, and how in Damascus he spoke boldly in the name of Jesus."
Barnabas had listened to Saul's story of his conversion on the road to Damascus, in the way; Barnabas believed Saul, and received him as one of them; Barnabas was an apostle, but not one of the twelve. Barnabas related to the apostles that were left in Jerusalem how that Saul preached boldly in the name of Jesus, and how he had to escape the Jews, and come to Jerusalem. It is a wonderful experience to take a new believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and help them get established in the Word of God.
Verse 28, "And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem."
LGT "And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord;"
The last phrase of this verse is the first phrase of the next verse in the KJV. The bold speeches of Saul convinced the apostles that Saul was for real. It does not take long to determine if a person is a true believer, when one has the opportunity to listen to them speak in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Verse 29, "And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him."
LGT "And he spoke and discussed with the Hellenists; but they took him in hand to put him to death."
The Hellenists were Greek speaking Jews; they debated with Saul, but as the case usually was, they could not best him; so they reverted to their usual practice of, if they could not best him intellectually; kill him! Of course we know it was not yet time for him to lay down his life; the Holy Spirit had great things to do through Paul.
Verse 30, "Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus."
LGT "But having known [it], the brethren brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus."
The apostles sent Saul away to his hometown of Tarsus. What an experience that must have been; he was well known as that Pharisee who had gone out to persecute the church, and now he returns as one of their members.
Verse 31, "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."
LGT "The assemblies indeed then throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being built up and going on in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit were increased."
The church began to grow in Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and soon would expand to the uttermost parts of the earth. The Word of God would eventually be completed providing the church with the peace that passes all understanding. Christ promised the Holy Spirit, and as the believers were baptized with the Holy Spirit, they were finding comfort now in the filling of the Spirit; that is, they were learning to walk in the Light of the Word of God. The church increased daily; not even tribulation could prevail against the church; the more the church was persecuted, the faster it grew.
The Healing of Aeneas
Verse 32, "And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda."
LGT "Now it came to pass [that] Peter, passing through all [quarters], went down also to the saints that inhabited Lydda."
Peter went down to visit the believers dwelling in Lydda. Lydda was about a day's journey from Jerusalem. "Lydda, which was afterwards called Diospolis, was situated not far from the Mediterranean Sea, being a renowned city as well for antiquity as also for many gifts" (Calvin).
Verse 33, "And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy."
LGT "And he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name, for eight years lying on a couch, who was paralyzed."
This man Aeneas had been bedridden eight years with paralysis. Aeneas is a Greek name, so he probably was a Hellenist.
Verse 34, "And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise and make thy bed. And he arose immediately."
LGT "And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you: rise up, and spread a couch for yourself. And immediately he rose up."
Peter tells Aeneas to rise and spread his bed for himself, something others had been doing for him for eight long years. Peter tells the man the healing came from Jesus Christ, and he immediately rose up and walked.
Verse 35, "And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord."
LGT "And all those inhabiting Lydda and Sharon saw him, who turned to the Lord."
The Plain of Sharon extended thirty miles along the sea from Joppa to Caesarea. Peter was an apostle and he had the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, and this miracle helped many who saw the miracle believe in Christ.
Dorcas Restored to Life
Verse 36, "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did."
LGT "And a certain disciple was in Joppa, by name Tabitha, which being interpreted is called Dorcas; she was full of good works and of alms, which she did."
A disciple means a follower or learner of Jesus Christ. This Tabitha Dorcas was well known for her good deeds to the poor.
Robertson notes:
"Tabitha is Aramaic form of the Hebrew Tsebi and, like the Greek word Dorcas (Dorkas) means Gazelle, 'the creature with the beautiful look' (or eyes), from derkomai. The Gazelle was a favorite type for beauty in the orient (Song of Solomon 2:9, 17; 4:5; 7:3). She may have had both the Aramaic and Greek name, Tabitha Dorcas like John Mark. There is nothing said about a husband and so she was probably unmarried. She is the second woman mentioned by name after Pentecost (Sapphira the other). She did her beautiful deeds by herself. She did not have a Dorcas society."
Verse 37, "And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber."
LGT "And it came to pass in those days [that] having been sick she died: and having washed they put [her] in an upper room."
Dorcas, having died, the women washed her, and laid her in an upper room; the early Christians did not practice the pagan practice of embalming, which the Jews had observed from the Egyptians. As I mentioned in the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira they hurried the burial; the body did not lay in state more than a couple of days, for I am sure they used spices, if they had any.
Verse 38, "And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them."
LGT "And Lydda being near to Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter is in it, sent two men to him, beseeching [him], not to delay to come to them."
They had heard of the wonderful supernatural deeds of Peter, so they sent two men to beg Peter to come to them without delay, in hopes that he might raise her up.
Verse 39, "Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them."
LGT "And Peter, having risen up, went with them: whom, having arrived, they brought into the upper room, and all the widows stood by him weeping and showing tunics and garments which Dorcas was making, being with them."
The widows stood by Peter showing the inner and outer garments Dorcas had made when she was still alive; this was obviously some of the good deeds she was doing. The widows represented the poor she had helped. This was quite a touching scene. "You will notice that it was the widows who conducted this fashion show. They were all showing off the garments that Dorcas had made. Why did the widows do it? Because they were poor. They wouldn't have had any clothes if it had not been for Dorcas. She had sewn their clothes for them. This was her ministry. Sewing was her gift of the Holy Spirit" (McGee).
Verse 40, "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turned him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up."
LGT "But having put out all, and Peter, having bowed the knees, he prayed: and having turned to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up."
Peter sent them all out of the room, and he remained alone with the body while he prayed; he did not want to make an ostentatious scene. Peter wanted to be alone when he prayed.
Verse 41, "And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive."
LGT "And having given her [his] hand, he raised her up: and having called the saints, and the widows, he presented her living."
This was a wonderful time for all; he called the widows, and the rest of the saints in to rejoice with them, as he presented her alive.
Verse 42, "And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord."
LGT "And it became known throughout the whole of Joppa, and many believed on the Lord."
The gifts of the Holy Spirit confirmed the Gospel of Grace. "However, after the New Testament was in written form, the emphasis shifted from gifts to correct doctrine. Paul warns that if a man does not have correct doctrine - you should not receive him. 'But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (damned)' (Gal. 1:8).
Verse 43, "And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner."
LGT "And it came to pass [that] he abode many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner."
Peter stayed with Simon the tanner while he stayed in Joppa. "The more scrupulous Jews regarded such an occupation as unclean, and avoided those who pursued it. The conduct of Peter here shows that he did not carry his prejudices to that extent. One of the rabbis said: 'It is impossible for the world to do without tanners; but woe to him who is a tanner.' A Jewess could sue for divorce if she discovered that her husband was a tanner. And yet Peter will have scruples on the housetop in the tanner's house about eating food considered unclean. The lodging with the tanner was a step on the road to eating with a Gentile" (Robertson).
The next chapter will begin preaching the gospel of grace to the Gentiles; until now, they were almost exclusively attending to Jews.
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