Act 9:3-18 | PNT | STEP | And as he journeyed . It would require six or seven days to make the journey. It was probably made on foot. There shined around about him a light from heaven . Brighter than the sun ( ). It was the splendor of the glorified Savior as seen at the Transfiguration ( ), or by John at Patmos ( ). In order to get the full history of this revelation of Christ and Paul's conversion, we must compare the accounts given by Paul himself in with Luke's account here.

Acts 9:3-18

And as he journeyed. It would require six or seven days to make the journey. It was probably made on foot.

There shined around about him a light from heaven. Brighter than the sun (Ac 26:13). It was the splendor of the glorified Savior as seen at the Transfiguration (Mt 17:2 Mr 9:3 Lu 9:29), or by John at Patmos (Re 1:16). In order to get the full history of this revelation of Christ and Paul's conversion, we must compare the accounts given by Paul himself in Ac 22:3-21 26:10-20 with Luke's account here. Heard a voice. After he had fallen. Not a sound merely, but words that he could understand.

Why persecutest thou me? Observe how Christ sympathizes with his persecuted followers. The blows that fall upon them, fall upon him. If Saul strikes the disciples in Damascus, Christ feels the blows in heaven. Who art thou, Lord? Sure that it was a supernatural communication, though he might possibly suspect its source, he did not yet know that it came from Christ. Perhaps at times he had had misgivings that he might be wrong, but he was sincere.

I am Jesus. It is not said, "the Christ", but Jesus, the crucified one against whom Saul was raging. Had the answer been "the Christ", or the Son of God, Saul might still have doubted whether this was Jesus. [It is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Omitted here by the Revised Version, but found in Ac 26:14. The idea is that he is injuring himself, like the ox that kicks back on the goads used to urge him forward. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, What wilt thou have me to do? The question, to which the remainder of the verse seems to be the answer, is omitted in the Revised Version and the oldest MSS.

Arise, and go into the city, etc. He must enter the church just as others. The Lord had appeared to him in order that he might be qualified for apostleship by having seen Christ, but he must learn the way of the gospel from one of its preachers. Christ never told a mortal how to be saved after he gave the Great Commission to the church. And the men . . . hearing a voice, but seeing no man. They were dumb with amazement, but did not see Christ, who was only revealed to Saul. They heard the sound but the words were for Saul and only understood by him. Compare with Ac 22:9. The two passages taken together mean that they heard a sound, but no words. He saw no man. His eyes were blinded by the brightness of the Lord. He who had come with such power to Damascus had to be led helpless into the city. A certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. He is named nowhere but in connection with the conversion of Saul.

To him said the Lord in a vision. As in the case of Philip sent by the angel to the eunuch (Ac 8:26), so he is sent by revelation to Saul. A revelation was needful from the fact that Saul was a terror to the church and all would avoid him. Go into the street which is called Straight. This street ran in a direct line from gate to gate, east and west, and was anciently 100 feet wide and celebrated for its magnificence. It is now contracted and mean.

Enquire in the house of Judas. Nothing more is known of this Judas.

Saul of Tarsus. As the name was not uncommon, he is designated by his native city, "no mean city" (Ac 21:39), a place of 30,000 inhabitants, 20,000 at present, then celebrated for its schools. It was the Cilician capital.

He prayeth. An assurance that Ananias would be favorably received. Besides, in his prayer, the vision came that Ananias would come. Ananias answered. In view of the terrible record of Saul the fears of Ananias were not unreasonable. He is a chosen vessel to me. On this account the Lord appeared to him, "for this purpose to make him a minister and a 'witness'" (Ac 26:16). Unless a man is called like Saul to be an apostle he need not expect such a vision.

To bear my name before the Gentiles. His mission as the apostle to the Gentiles is pointed out. See Ac 13:46.

And kings. He not only bore witness before the Roman rulers, but before King Agrippa (Ac 26:1) and the emperor Nero (Ac 28:19 Php 1:13 4:22). Ananias . . . putting his hands on him. Not to convey a gift, but as a friendly act, significant of God's blessing.

That thou mightest receive thy sight. His sight returned immediately after (Ac 9:18).

And be filled with the Holy Ghost. There is no proof whatever that any spiritual gifts were imparted, nor that any but apostles could confer these gifts (see PNT Ac 6:8), and Paul always asserted that he received his signs of apostleship, not of men, but of Christ. See Ga 1:1,11,12. The being "filled with the Holy Spirit" took place after the baptism at the hands of Ananias. He . . . arose, and was baptized. The account is more fully given by Paul himself (Ac 22:13-16). Ananias said, "Receive thy sight, and in the same hour I looked upon him" (Ac 22:13). Then, after saying why the Lord had called him, he added: "Why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Ac 22:16). Note (1) that "tarrying" for weeks or months before baptism was then unknown; (2) that there would be no necessity of "arising", if water was applied in baptism, but there would be if he had to go to a place suitable for immersion; (3) that the term "wash" (Greek, "apolouo", "bathe") implies more than a sprinkling or pouring; (4) that neither Ananias nor Paul (Ac 22:16) understood that his sins were remitted before baptism. Compare Ac 2:38 and Ac 22:16.