Acts9
World English Bible · Public Domain
1But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
4He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”
7The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
8Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
11The Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
12and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”
13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
14Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
19He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
20Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
21All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”
22But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
23When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
24but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
25but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
28He was with them entering into Jerusalem,
29preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
30When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
32As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
33There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years because he was paralyzed.
34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.
35All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
37In those days, she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
39Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the tunics and other garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41He gave her his hand and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The conversion of Saul. (1–9). Saul converted preaches Christ. (10–22). Saul is persecuted at Damascus, and goes to Jerusalem. (23–31). Cure of Eneas. (32–35). Dorcas raised to life. (36–43).
vv1-9
So ill informed was Saul, that he thought he ought to do all he could against the name of Christ, and that he did God service thereby; he seemed to breathe in this as in his element. Let us not despair of renewing grace for the conversion of the greatest sinners, nor let such despair of the pardoning mercy of God for the greatest sin. It is a signal token of Divine favour, if God, by the inward working of his grace, or the outward events of his providence, stops us from prosecuting or executing sinful purposes. Saul saw that Just One, ch. 22:14; 26:13. How near to us is the unseen world! It is but for God to draw aside the veil, and objects are presented to the view, compared with which, whatever is most admired on earth is mean and contemptible. Saul submitted without reserve, desirous to know what the Lord Jesus would have him to do. Christ's discoveries of himself to poor souls are humbling; they lay them very low, in mean thoughts of themselves. For three days Saul took no food, and it pleased God to leave him for that time without relief. His sins were now set in order before him; he was in the dark concerning his own spiritual state, and wounded in spirit for sin. When a sinner is brought to a proper sense of his own state and conduct, he will cast himself wholly on the mercy of the Saviour, asking what he would have him to do. God will direct the humbled sinner, and though he does not often bring transgressors to joy and peace in believing, without sorrows and distress of conscience, under which the soul is deeply engaged as to eternal things, yet happy are those who sow in tears, for they shall reap in joy.
vv10-22
A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation! Now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; before, he said his prayers, now, he prayed them. Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find a living man without breath, as a living Christian without prayer. Yet even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes stagger at the commands of the Lord. But it is the Lord's glory to surpass our scanty expectations, and show that those are vessels of his mercy whom we are apt to consider as objects of his vengeance. The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavours to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions.
vv23-31
When we enter into the way of God, we must look for trials; but the Lord knows how to deliver the godly, and will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape. Though Saul's conversion was and is a proof of the truth of Christianity, yet it could not, of itself, convert one soul at enmity with the truth; for nothing can produce true faith, but that power which new-creates the heart. Believers are apt to be too suspicious of those against whom they have prejudices. The world is full of deceit, and it is necessary to be cautious, but we must exercise charity, 1Co 13:5. The Lord will clear up the characters of true believers; and he will bring them to his people, and often gives them opportunities of bearing testimony to his truth, before those who once witnessed their hatred to it. Christ now appeared to Saul, and ordered him to go quickly out of Jerusalem, for he must be sent to the Gentiles: see ch. 22:21. Christ's witnesses cannot be slain till they have finished their testimony. The persecutions were stayed. The professors of the gospel walked uprightly, and enjoyed much comfort from the Holy Ghost, in the hope and peace of the gospel, and others were won over to them. They lived upon the comfort of the Holy Ghost, not only in the days of trouble and affliction, but in days of rest and prosperity. Those are most likely to walk cheerfully, who walk circumspectly.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
Σαῦλος (Saûlos): Saulus (i.e. Shaul), the Jewish name of Paul
ἔτι (éti): "yet," still (of time or degree)
ἐμπνέω (empnéō): to inhale, i.e. (figuratively) to be animated by (bent upon)
ἀπειλή (apeilḗ): a menace
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φόνος (phónos): murder
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
κύριος (kýrios): supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
Acts 9Paul's subsequent account detailing that the Lord spoke in the Hebrew tongue.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul's own autobiographical recollection of how he beyond measure persecuted the church.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Our Lord's identification of Himself with His persecuted, suffering members on earth.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's account of his escape from Damascus in a basket under Aretas.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's testimony of his authorization from the high priest and estate of elders.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul's description of Ananias as a devout man according to the law.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Paul's reflection on his sovereign separation from his mother's womb to preach Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Peter's assertion that healing power belongs solely to Jesus Christ's name, not his.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul's description of his pre-conversion life as a blasphemer and persecutor.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Scriptural source for kicking like a pampered, stubborn ox against the master's goad.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Lord's direct commission to Paul to bear His name to the Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Peter putting everyone out of the room, mimicking Jesus' manner at Jairus' house.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Paul clarifies he was blinded by the glory of that brilliant heavenly light.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's first journey to Jerusalem three years after his Damascus conversion.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB