Act 9:8-9 | NET2full | STEP | So Saul got up from the ground , but although his eyes were open , he could see nothing . Leading him by the hand , his companions brought him into Damascus .

‏ Acts 9:8-9

8 So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open, ^{▼▼tn Grk “his eyes being open,” a genitive absolute construction that has been translated as a concessive adverbial participle.} he could see nothing. ^{▼▼sn He could see nothing. This sign of blindness, which was temporary until v. 18, is like the sign of muteness experienced by Zechariah in Luke 1. It allowed some time for Saul (Paul) to reflect on what had happened without distractions.} Leading him by the hand, his companions ^{▼▼tn Grk “they”; the referents (Saul’s companions) have been specified in the translation for clarity.} brought him into Damascus. 9 For ^{▼▼tn Grk “And for.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.} three days he could not see, and he neither ate nor drank anything. ^{▼▼tn The word “anything” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader. The fasting might indicate an initial realization of Luke 5:33-39. Fasting was usually accompanied by reflective thought.}