Acts 9

1 Saul travelleth to Damascus, to persecute the faithfull there also 3 On the way is struck by a light from Heaven, cast to the Earth, and rebuked by Christ himself, and smitten with blindness. 10 Ananias is sent to him, who at first is afraid to go to him, 15 but afterward cometh to him, restoreth him to his fight, instructs and baptized him. 20 Said preacheth Christ in the Synagogues. 23 The Jews lay snares for him, 25 but he escapeth over the wall of the City in basket, 26 He cometh to Jerusalem, and is by Barnabas brought to the Apostles, and preacheth Christ there also. 30 Travelleth towards Tarsus to escape the snares of the Jews. 31 The Churches have peace and Increase. 32 Peter cometh to Lyda and cureth Aeneas. 36 Is sent for to Joppa, and raiseth Tabitha who was dead, 42 whereby many believe.

1. And Saul, blowing yet [Namely, after the death of Stephen: A similitude taken from Lyons or Bears hunting after a prey: or like as bitter Enemies use to demean themselves against others] threatening and murther against the Disciples of the Lord, [that is, those that adhered to Christ, and afterwards at Antioch were first called Christians, Acts 11:26.] went unto the high Priest, [namely, and to the supream Council of the Jews, whereof he was the head, Acts 22. V. 5.with which Council then stood the cognizance and the supream judgement of the matters of the Jewish Religion, yea even in the Synagogues without the Land of Judea. See 2 Chron. 19. 20. Acts 18.v.15.]

2. And desired letters of him unto Damascus, [This was the chief City of Syria, situate on one side of mount Libanus, about five or six daies journey from Jerusalem, a heathen City, but where many of the dispersed Jews dwelt, and had Synagogues. See v. 22. Acts 26.v. 12. 2 Cor. 11. 32.] to the Synagogues, that if he found any that were of that way, [that is, that doctrine. Hebr See Acts 24:14.] he might bring (the same) both men and women, bound unto Jerusalem.

3. And he so journeyed, it happened that he came nigh unto Damascus, and there shone about him [Gr.lightned about him, or irradiated about him] suddenly, a light from heaven.

4. And being fallen to the Earth, [Namely, through fright, amazement and fear] he heard a voice which said unto him, [namely, in the Hebrew tongue, Acts 26:14.] Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me? [namely, in my members, i.e. my Church which is my body, 1 Cor. 12. 12. Ephes. 5. 23.]

5. And he said, who art thou Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutes. It is hard for thee to strike thy heels against pricks. [Namely, like as Oxen and othr carriage beasts strike out behind, when they are driven forward with pricks, and so hurt not the pricks but themselves.]

6. And he trembling and being amazed, said, Lord, what wilt thou that I shall do: and the Lord said (unto) him, arise and go into the City, and (there) it shall be told thee what thou must do. [Namely to get thy sight again and to be accounted for a Disciple, as is expounded ver. 17. For otherwise as concerning his doctrine and Apostleship, he had not that neither from men, nor by men, Gal. 1.v.1. 12.

7. And the men which travelled on the way with him, [These seem to have been those that were also given Paul by the chief Priests, to bring the Christians that were taken, to Jerusalem into custody, as is said v.2.] stood amazed, [or dumb, namely, after that they were risen up again, for they also were with Paul smitten down to the Earth, Acts 26:14.] hearing the voice indeed, [some take this for the voice of Paul, wherewith he answered Christ, because Acts 22.v.9.it is said, that they that were in Pauls company heard not the voice of him that spake with him. Others accord thi thus, that here also indeed the voice of Christ is spoken of, but only of a hearing of the sound, without understanding of the words, but Acts 22:9.of a distinct hearing and understanding of the words; the like example there is, Job. 12. 29.in the voice which spake from heaven to Christ, where some heard the same with understanding of the words, some the sound only without understanding of the words] but seeing no man.

8. And Saul arose from the Earth, and when he opened his eyes he saw no man, [Namely, because there were scales come over his eyes, v. 18.] and they leading him by the hand brought him to Damascus.

9. And he was three daies that he saw not: and ate not, neither drank. [Namely, either through the great astonishment, which had deprived him of all the desite of meat and drink: or to pass over the whole time with prayer and humiliation as is expressed, v. 11. For in those Countreys men could better endure long fasting, then in these our Lands. See Matthew 15:32. Mark 8:2.]

10. And there was a certain Disciple in Damascus, by the name Ananias: [This was an eminent Disciple, as he is further described, Acts 22:12. Some ancient Doctors think that he was one of the seventy two Disciples, before chosen by Christ] and the Lord said unto him in a vision, [namely, in a divine vision by a withdrawing of his sences, in which the Lord appeared to him, as in v. 12.it happened unto Paul, who was then blind as yet] Ananias, and he said, behold (here am) I , Lord.

11. And the Lord (said) unto him, arise, and go into the street called the straight, and enquire in the house of Judas (one) by name Saul of Tarsus, [this was a City in Cilicia, which had received great benefits from the Romane Emporours, and amongst others the Burgesship of Rome also, unto which Paul sometimes hereafter appeals. See Acts 16:37.and 22.v.25. 28. See the annotation on Acts 22:28.] for behold, he prayeth.

12. And he hath seen in a vision that a man named Ananias came in, and laid his hand upon him, that he might recover his fight.

13. And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy Saints in Jerusalem.

14. And hath here [Namely, at Damascus it self] power from the chief Priests, for to binde all that call upon thy name. [that is, worship thee, and consequently believe in thee, Romans 10:14.]

15. But Lord said unto him, go thy way; for this (man) is a chosen vessel unto me, [That is, Instrument, or Minister and Ambassadour, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Gr.a vessel of election , Galatians 1:15, 16.] to bear my name, [that is, to hold forth or publish] before the Gentiles and Kings, and the children of Israel.

16. For I will shew him, [That is, not only before inform him thereof, but also by my spirit, give him courage and strength for it; as he promiseth his other Disciples, John 16:33.] how much he must suffer for my name.

17. And Ananias went hi way, and came into the house: and laying hands on him, [Namely, for a sign that the Lord would extraordinarily strengthen him by the Holy Ghost in his divine calling, and cure him of his blindness, Mark 16:18.see Acts 6:6.] he said, Saul, Brother, the Lord hath sent me, (namely) Jesus, who appeared unto thee, [or was seen of thee. For that Christ in this revelation also was seen of Paul, appears v. 27.and Acts 22:14.now whether this was done by a vision of the spirit only, as Acts 22:17.or with the eyes of the body, before he was blinded by his light, is not said. But although it were so that he saw him with the eyes of th body, yet it follows not from thence, that the body of Christ should have descended upon the Earth, for that is repugnant to Acts 3:21.and God could as well strengthen the sight of Paul, that he could see Christ in the heaven opened, as he did the sight of Stephen, Acts 7:56.] on the way which thou camest, that thou should’st recover thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18. And straightway, there fell off from his eyes as it were scales, and he was straightway restored to his sight: he arose and was baptized.

19. And when he had taken meat [Gr. Food] he was strengthened. And Saul was some daies with the Disciples which were at Damascus.

20. And straightway he preached Christ in the Snagogues, that he is the Son of God. [And consequently the true Messias, see ver. 22. Acts 8. 37.]

21. And they were all astonished that heard it, and said, Is not this he that disturbed at Jerusalem those that called on this name: and who came hither for that purpose that he might bring the same bound unto the chief Priests.

22. But Saul was strengthened more and more, and convinced the Jews [Gr.confounded the Jews, or made them ashamed, or perplexed the Jews] which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. [the Greeke word signifies a demonstration that is made by conjoining or comparing, namely, of the predictions of the Prophets with the fulfilling of the same in the person of Christ.]

23. And when many daies [Namely, three whole years, all which time he taught in Arabia and at Damascus, before he went to Jerusalem. See Galatians 1:17.] were pastover, [Gr.fulfilled] the Jews took counsel together to kill him.

24. But their lying in waite was known to Saul: and they [Namely the Jews, strengthyened with the power of the Governor of King Aretas, 2 Cor. 11.ver.32.] kept the gates both by day and by night, that they might kill him.

25. But the Disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall, letting him down in a basket.

26. Now Saul being come to Jerusalem endeavoured to joyne himself with the Disciples: but they all feared him, believing not that he was a Disciple. [Namely, Seeing Pauls conversion was not yet sufficiently known in the Church, because for the most time after he had been in Arabia far from Jerusalem.]

27. But Barnabas taking him to himself, brought (him) to the Aposles [Namely Peter and James as is expressed, Galatians 1:18, 19.for it seems that at time the other Apostles were departed from Jerusalem for a while, to preach the Gospel elsewhere, who afterwards were again at Jerusalem in greater number together, Acts 15:6. Galatians 2:9.] and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28. And he was with them going in, and going out at Jerusalem. [Namely, familiarly and dayly conversing with them. Hebr.]

29. And speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, he spake also and dealt against the Grecian (Jews.) [That is, who used the Greeke tongue and translation of the Bible. See Acts 6.ver. 1. 9..] ut these endeavoured to kill him.

30. But the Brethren [So the faithfull are called because they lived in love with one another as brethren, having one Father in heaven, and one eldest brother Jesus Christ, and expecting one inheritance by one Spirit] understanding (this) brought him to Cesarea, and sent him down to Tarsus.

31. Then the Churches throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were edified: and walking in the fear of the Loard, and the consolation of the holy Ghost, were multiplyed.

32. And it came to pass as Peter went through all about, [Gr.through all, namely, places, i.e. Lands mentioned in the 31.verse, to visite, and confirm the Churches which were of the circumcision, Galatians 2:7, 9.] that he came down also to the Saints, [that is, the faithfull Christians] which dwelt in Lydda. [see ver. 35.]

33. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bed-rid [Gr. Krabbaton, i.e.on a little bed] eighty years, who was palsie-struck. [or lame or struck.]

34. And Peter said unto him Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole, arise, and make thy bed, [That is, trim up the bed, and make it ready, for a sign of being perfectly cured] And he arose straightway.

35. And they saw him all that dwelt at Lydda, [Lydda was a City lying in Palestine in the Country Sarona or Saron, as it is called, Esa. 35. 2.and 65. 10.and 1 Chronicles 27:29.a fat and well-inhabited land, stretching along the Midland sea from Cesarea unto Joppa] and Saron, who turned them unto the Lord.

36. And at Joppa [This was and yet is a famous haven in Palestine on the Midland Sea, heretofore called Japho, where Jonas took ship, when he fled from the Lord, Jonas 1. 3.where those that travel out of Europe to Jerusalem, commonly land, lying about a dayes journey from thence on cliffs, from whence men may see Jerusalem] there was a certain Discipless by name Tabitha; which being translated [namely, the word Tabitha when it is translated into Greeke] is called Dorcas. [that is, a hinde, roe, or goate] This (woman) was full of good works, and almesdeeds which shee did.

37. And it came to pass in those daies, that shee was sick and dyed: and when they had washed her, [Namely, according to the manner of the Ancients, who it seems would thereby give to understand their hope of the resurrection from the dead] they laid her in the upper room.

38. And seeing Lydda was nigh to Joppa, the Disciples hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, [Namely, either the better to comfort the poor widowes concerning her death, or else in hope that he would raise her up again] intreating that he would not delay [Gr.forbeare i.e.that it might not be irksome to him] to come over to them.

39. And Peter arose and went with them: whom when he was come thither they brought into the upper-roome: and all the widdowes stood by him weeping and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while shee was with them.

40. But Peter having driven (them) all out, [Namely, that he might be able to pay the more earnestly as Elizeus 2 Kings 4:33.which prayer served for this, that he might shew that this work must be done not by his power, but by the power of God, Acts 3.ver.12, 13.] kneeled down and prayed: and turning himself to the body, said, Tabitha arise. And shee opened her eyes, and having seen Peter shee sate upright.

41. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up, and having called the Saints, [That is, the Disciples, or believers, which were there about: who are so called, because they being sanctified by Christs blood and Spirit, led a holy life throughout] and the widowes, he set her alive before (them.)

42. And (this) was known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

43. And it came to pass that he abode many daies as Joppa, with one Simon a Tanner.