Acts Chapter 9

From The Open Bible Project

9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

• (1) Saul (who is also Paul), persecuting Christ most cruelly, who did as it were flee before him, falls into Christ's hands, and is overcome: and with a singular example of the goodness of God, in place of punishment which he justly deserved for his cruelty, is not only kindly received, but is also even by the mouth of God appointed an apostle, and is confirmed by the ministry and witness of Ananias.
• (a) This is a sign that Saul�s stomach boiled and cast out great threats to murder the disciples.

9:2 and 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.

• (b) Any trade of life which a man take upon himself the Jews call a "way".

9:3 As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.

9:4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

9:5 He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[31]

• (c) This is a proverb which is spoken of those who through their stubbornness hurt themselves.

9:6 [32] But [See Acts Footnotes 32] rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

9:7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.

• (d) Stood still and could not go one step forward, but remained amazed as stood still like statues.
• (e) They heard Paul�s voice: for afterwards it is plainly said in (Acts 22:9) that they did not hear the voice of the one who spoke. Others, however, try to reconcile these places (which seem to contradict) by saying that the men with Saul heard the sound of a voice, but did not hear it clearly.

9:8 Saul 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.

9:9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.

9:10 Now 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."

9:11 The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of [33] Judah [See Acts Footnotes 33] for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,

• (f) Tarsus was a city of Cilicia near to Anchiala. It is said that Sardanapalus built these two cities in one day.

9:12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight."

9:13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.

9:14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."

9:15 But 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.

• (g) To bear my name in.

9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."

• (h) I will plainly show him.

9:17 Ananias 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."

• (i) Into Judas' house.

9:18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.

9:19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.

9:20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

• (2) Paul begins immediately to execute the office which was given and commanded to him, never consulting with flesh and blood.

9:21 All 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!"

9:22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

• (3) Paul does not do battle only with his own authority, but also with the testimonies of the Prophets.

( (k) By conferring places of the Scripture together, as skilful craftsman do when they make something, they used to gather all parts together, to make them agree fitly one with another.

9:23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,

• (4) Paul, who was before a persecutor, now has persecution planned against himself, though it will not happen for a long time.

9:24 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,

9:25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

• (5) We are not forbidden to avoid and eschew the dangers and conspiracies that the enemies of God lay for us, but only if we do not swerve from our vocation.

9:26 When 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.

• (6) In ancient times no man was rashly or lightly received into the members and the sheep of the Church, much less to be a pastor.

9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

9:28 He was with them [34] entering into [See Acts Footnotes 34] Jerusalem,

• (7) The steadfast servants of God must look out for danger after danger: yet God watches out for them.
• (l) With Peter and James, for he says that he saw none of the apostles but them; (Galatians 1:18-19).

9:29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord [35] Jesus. [See Acts Footnotes 35] He spoke and disputed against the [36] Hellenists, [See Acts Footnotes 36] but they were seeking to kill him.

• (m) See (Acts 6:1).

9:30 When the [37] brothers [See Acts Footnotes 37] knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.

• (8) The ministers of the word may change their place with the advice and counsel of the congregation and church.

9:31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea and 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.

• (9) The result of persecutions is the building of the Church, so that we will patiently wait for the Lord.
• (n) This is a borrowed type of speech which signifies establishment and increase.

9:32 It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

• (10) Peter's apostleship is confirmed by the healing of the man who suffered from paralysis.

9:33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.

9:34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!" Immediately he arose.

9:35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

• (o) Lydda was a city of Palestine, and Saron a first-class country, and a place which was excellent for grazing, between Caesarea of Palestine and Mount Tabor, and the lake of Gennesaret, which goes far beyond Joppa.

9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means [38] Dorcas. [See Acts Footnotes 38] This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.

• (11) Peter clearly declares, by raising up a dead body through the name of Christ, that he preaches the glad tidings of life.

9:37 It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.

9:38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent [39] two men [See Acts Footnotes 39] to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.

9:39 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

9:40 Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

9:41 He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

9:42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

9:43 It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.