Acts 9

1 yet breathing out, etc. The narrative is resumed from viii. 3. The interval was probably about a year.

2 desired of him letters to Damascus. The ecclesiastical supremacy of the high priest and Sanhedrin was acknowledged by the rulers of the synagogues in foreign countries; and the exercise of discipline over their fellow-countrymen was, to some extent, allowed by the Roman and other governments. Damascus contained a large number of Jews, and had probably just come under the rule of Aretas, king of Arabia: see 2 Cor. xi. 32.

of this way. R.V., literally, “of the Way.” The term frequently recurs in this book (xix. 9, 32; xxii. 4; xxiv. 14); and describes Christianity either as a course of life, or as “the way of salvation” (xvi. 17), or as “the way of the Lord” (xviii. 25).

bound unto Jerusalem. The alleged crime being too grave for the jurisdiction of the local tribunals.

3 shined round about him (flashed around him) a light, etc. “Above the brightness of the sun” at “mid-day” (xxvi. 13; xxii. 6).

4 saying. In the Hebrew tongue (xxvi. 14).

why persecuted thou me? Our Lord identifies Himself with His suffering disciples: see His own declaration in Matt. xxv. 40. The appeal calls Saul to account respecting the motive of his conduct: “What injury, great or small, hast thou sustained from me that you should do these things?” (Chrysostom).

5. Who art thou, Lord? Saul saw, as well as heard, Him who spoke to him: see vers. 17, 27; xxii. 14; xxvi. 16; 1 Cor. ix. 1; xv. 8; where the context clearly relates to actual sight of the Lord’s person. So that he became a witness of the Lord’s resurrection.

I am Jesus. “Jesus,” whom you scorn as “the Nazarene” (xxii. 8). See notes on the fuller account in xxvi. The words from “it is hard for thee” (5) to “and the Lord said unto him” (6) are not found in any ancient copies.

7 stood speechless, etc. They, like Saul, beheld the light (xxii. 9), and stood still; they also heard the sound, and fell to the earth (xxvi. 14); but they neither saw the Lord, nor distinguished the words uttered (xxii. 9). Cp. John xii. 28, and note.

8 when his eyes were opened. More correctly, “though his eyes remained open.”

9 three days. Cp. I Sam. xxx. 12, and note.

10 a certain disciple. A man highly esteemed by the Jews (xxii. 12), and “a devout man according to the law” (cp. ii. 5; viii. 2).

11 which is called Straight. A straight street is rare in Eastern cities; but there is still at Damascus a street named “Straight,” running through the whole city from east to west. The traditional “house of Judas,” however, is not in this street.

Tarsus. The capital of Cilicia in Asia Minor, on the river Cydnus, and about 10 miles from the sea. It was made a city by Antony, who resided there for a time and was visited there by Cleopatra (W. M. Ramsay).

he prayeth. The word literally means, “he is praying”—now, in the very act.

12 hath seen in a vision. The two visions confirmed each other, like those of Cornelius and Peter: see x.

13. I have heard by many. Fugitives from Jerusalem would spread the tidings; and letters or messengers from those who remained in the holy city would have put the disciples in Damascus on their guard.

15 a chosen vessel. A chosen instrument: cp. 2 Tim. ii. 20, 21.

17 putting his hands on him. For healing (12), not for apostleship. Paul received the apostleship directly and alone from Christ (Gal. i. 1, 11, 12).

22 proving that this is very Christ. “Proving, by comparison” (συμβαβάζων) of the prophecies and types of the Messiah with the facts of the history of Jesus of Nazareth, “that He is the Christ.”

23 after that many days were fulfilled. Probably after “three years,” including the time which he spent in Arabia: cp. vers. 19-30 with Gal. i. 16-18, and notes.

24 they watched the gates. See 2 Cor. xi. 32, 33, and note. The Jews instigated the Gentile authorities to take this measure.

25 let him down by (through) the wall in a basket (hamper). Through the window of a house upon the city wall (2 Cor. xi. 33; cp. Josh. ii. 15; I Sam. xix. 12). It is still customary in Eastern countries to build houses upon the city walls, with windows looking out upon the country.

26 to Jerusalem. He went thither partly to see Peter (Gal. i. 18), with whom he was now to be associated in the apostleship.

believed not that he was a disciple. They had doubtless heard something of his conversion, but doubted his sincerity. They may have suspected that the alleged conversion was a feint, the more easily to betray them. Barnabas, who was highly esteemed in the Church (iv. 36; xi. 22), testified to his conversion, and to his claims as one who had seen the Lord, and had been faithful in His service.

27 to the apostles. That is, to Peter and James (Gal. i. 18, 19). The others probably were absent from Jerusalem.

28. And he was with them, etc. He remained in Jerusalem fifteen days (Gal. i. 18).

29 the Grecians. The Hellenistic Jews (see note on vi. 1); the same class, and possibly some of the same persons, with whom Stephen had contended (vi. 9).

30 [Which] when the brethren knew, etc. Paul was unwilling to go; but the Lord in a vision commanded him to yield: see xxii. 17-21.

Cæsarea. From Cæsarea he might sail to Seleuccia, and from there go by land to Tarsus. At Tarsus he appears to have remained a considerable time (see xi. 25), during which he probably founded the churches in Cilicia (xv. 23, 41).

31. Then had the churches rest. “The Church” (which is the correct reading) collectively enjoyed a time of peace, partly perhaps from the check given to persecution by the conversion of Saul, partly because the attention of the Jews was called off to other subjects through the mad attempt of the Emperor Caligula to place his statue in the Temple—a design which only the entreaties of Herod Agrippa induced him to abandon (Jos. Ant. xviii. 8, § 6).

throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria. The spread and organisation of the Christian community indicates much zealous and continued labour of which no account is given in the history.

edified. Or, “built up,” i.e., in faith and piety. the comfort of the Holy Ghost. The word used for “comfort,” kindred with “Paraclete,” implies exhortation and encouragement, and should probably be connected with “multiplied”; lit., “was being multiplied through the comfort,” etc.

32. Lydda. Lydda, anciently called Lod (1 Chron. viii. 12; Neh. vii. 37), was about five miles from the seaport town of Joppa. It was afterwards called Diospolis, and now Lud.

34. Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. An attestation to the actual presence and Divine power of Jesus; a striking proof that in His state of exaltation He is still carrying on the work of mercy that He wrought in a state of humiliation (Lange).

35 (the) Saron. In “the plain of Sharon”: see 1 Chron. xxvii. 29.

36. Joppa. Respecting Joppa, see note on Jonah i. 3.

Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. “Tabitha” and “Dorcas” are the Aramaic and Greek names of the gazelle; on which see Prov. v. 19, and note. On the double name, see note on i. 23.

39 made. Rather, “used to make.” The “coats” and “garments” (or “cloaks”) include almost the whole dress: see Matt. v. 40, and note. The widows would no doubt be wearing them.

40 put them all forth. As Elijah and Elisha, and his Divine Lord had done: see 1 Kings xvii. 19; 2 Kings iv. 33; Matt. ix. 25.

43 he tarried many days in Joppa. Joppa, being a large seaport, would afford many opportunities for spreading the gospel.

probably most of the early Gentile converts to Christianity, belonged (see ver. 34).

which gave much aims to the people. That is, to the Jewish people: cp. Luke vii. 5. His good reputation among the Jews might help to prepare the Hebrew Christians to welcome him into the Church.