Acts 10:17–23

¹⁷ Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. ¹⁸ And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. ¹⁹ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” ²¹ Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” ²² And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” ²³ Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 

Commentary 

Vs. 17-18 ¹⁷ Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. ¹⁸ And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. 

Though the visions implications are self-evident, Peter was still pondering within himself what the vision meant. Now while he was doing so behold the men sent from Cornelius had arrived at Simon the tanners house and were making inquiry about Peter, and so they stood there at the gate, asking if Simon Peter was lodging there. 

Vs. 19-20 ¹⁹ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” 

Now Peter was still on the rooftop when all of this was taking place and so the Spirit, that is God’s Holy Spirit said to him, … “Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” ^{Vs. 19-20} 

Vs. 21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” 

Peter then having just been Divinely instructed by the Spirit about these men arriving to him, and to go with them doubting nothing, now goes down from the roof and to the gate where the men are standing and seeing them, he says to them, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” 

Vs. 23-23 ²² And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” ²³ Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 

The men now tell Peter that they have been sent to him from “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews,” and that he was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon Peter to his house, to hear words from him. Peter then seeing that this thing is of God now invites them in, (this then is a first for Peter to invite Gentiles to come and dine with him and even stay with him), for with the day being already half spent they lodged with him overnight before they all depart the next morning to go to Caesarea, and thus come to Cornelius with Words from God, as the Spirit told Peter to do. 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 10:9–16

 ⁹ The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. ¹⁰ Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. ¹³ And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” ¹⁶ This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. 

Commentary 

Vs. 9 “The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.” 

Now as the delegation from Cornelius house was on their way to Joppa to find Peter, Peter himself went up on the housetop where he was staying to pray, this was about the sixth hour of the day (or noon). Note: in ancient Israel housetops were flat and it was a common practice for one to go up there to pray or dwell there or even store things there. 

Vs. 10-13 ¹⁰ Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. ¹³ And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 

In seeking to bring Peter and Cornelius together and give Peter understanding of His Will, God now gives Peter a vision while he is praying. Now in the vision Peter saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at its four corners descending to him let to down to the earth (Vs. 10-11). While in the sheet were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air (vs. 12). And when Peter saw this a voice came to him, and said: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” (vs. 13). 

Vs. 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 

Immediately then Peter understood the voice as of the Lord, however in seeing the object with all of the creatures inside of it, and knowing these things to be unclean for any Jew to partake of or eat he now sternly says to Him, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 

Vs. 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 

By those words then God’s is telling Peter and all Jews who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to no longer consider the ceremonial law as governing their persons and lives. However much more than that is God is using this vison to show Peter how He has now sanctified the Gentiles so that no Jew should ever again consider them “common”, and thus people to be avoided to avoid becoming ceremonially defiled by having contact with them. It’s a powerful vision and revision of centuries long held beliefs and practices by the Jews, so that God may bring the Gospel, and thus eternal salvation to the Gentiles as well. 

Vs. 16 “This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.” 

And so, to drive the point home three times this is shown Peter so that there can be no doubt that this has come from God, and is the Will of God, that He has now cleansed the Gentiles. 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 10:1–8

 ¹ There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, ² a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” ⁴ And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” ⁷ And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. ⁸ So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. 

Commentary 

Vs. 1-2 ¹ There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, ² a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 

The Scripture now moves us to Caesarea, and introduces us to a Roman centurion of the Italian Regiment named Cornelius, who it introduces us to as, “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” ^{Vs. 2} What an incredible testimony, and that by the Word of God! And yet this man Cornelius was not a Jew, indeed he was a Roman, and a Roman centurion of the Italian Regiment at that. Yet by his exposure to the Jews whom he was to oversee he had become a very God-fearing man, for he feared God with all his household, and so he gave alms generously to the people (that is charitable gifts, whether monetary or otherwise to those in need), and he prayed to God always. Now that all said of Cornelius, he still lacked one thing that only God could provide for him, and that was the salvation of his soul. Therefore, as we will see the Lord will bring salvation not only to Cornelius and his God-fearing household, but by doing so he will also open the eyes of Peter and all the brethren that the Lord has now received all Gentiles who will believe in Him! 

Vs. 3-6 ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” ⁴ And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 

And so, it was that one day around the ninth hour (3:00pm) that Cornelius while praying to God saw clearly in vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” Now Cornelius when he saw him was afraid, for Cornelius had never had a vison before, and he certainly had never seen an angel before, and had him address him by name, so he tentatively says to him, “What is it lord?” Now the angel in responding says to him, … “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” ^{vs. 4-6} 

God then clearly remembers the good that we do, and in remembering the good that Cornelius had done, and how he had sought Him, and how He wanted to know Him He sent His angel to him to bring to him the apostle Peter who would now explain the way of salvation to him. Therefore, the angel now tells him to send men to Joppa where they will find Simon Peter dwelling at Simon the tanners house, he is to come with them for he will tell Cornelius and his household what they must do to be saved. 

Vs. 7-8 ⁷ And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. ⁸ So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. 

And so, with the angel’s word to him and then departure, Cornelius now calls two of his household servants and a devout soldier, (who himself was God fearing man), from those who waited on him continually, (thus Cornelius was a man of no small significance), and so when he explained to them the vision, he immediately sends them to Joppa to seek and find Simon Peter who will explain the way of salvation to them all.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

 

 

Acts 9:36–43

 ³⁶ At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. ³⁷ But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. ³⁹ Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. ⁴³ So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. 

Commentary 

Vs. 36 “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.” 

Now Joppa was a seaport city on the Mediterranean coast (and considered a part of the Sharon plains region), and there were disciples there, and notably there was a certain disciple there named Tabitha, the Greek translation of her name renders it as Dorcas. Now the Scripture marks her as a Godly woman, for she was full of good works and deeds that she did. 

Vs. 37-38 ³⁷ But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 

However, in those days Tabitha became sick and soon died from her ailment and so the disciples washed her and laid her in an upper room. For they had heard Peter was in Lydda, and since Lydda was near Joppa, they must have hoped that he would come to them, and so they sent two men to him imploring him not to delay but to come immediately. 

Vs. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 

Peter then upon hearing this does delay but goes with the men and they bring him to the place in the upper room where Tabitha was laid. Now there were in the room all the widows there weeping for her and showing him all the tunics and garments that she had made for them while she was with them. 

Vs. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 

However, before Peter could do anything, he needed to put them all out of room, (which itself harkens back to when Peter himself saw Jesus restore a young girl to life, Mark 5:38-43, vs. 40). Now in doing so one can imagine that he did so in a gentle manner while consoling them as best he could. That done and the room now quieted Peter knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Now one can only imagine what they both felt as Tabitha was restored to life and she saw Peters face for the first time. 

Vs. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 

When Tabitha sat up on the bed Peter gave her his hand and lifted her up to help her get to her feet. Then he called the saints and widows there (i.e., all the beloved brethren who had been mourning for her) and he presented her alive to them! 

Vs. 42-43 ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. ⁴³ So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. 

This mighty work of the Lord through the apostle Peter then became known throughout all of Joppa and many believed on the Lord. Now Peter himself stayed many days in Joppa after this, as there would’ve now been many new believers there to disciple. The Lord’s work then in doing such a miraculous and merciful deed is never for vainglorious or monetary reasons, but only so that He might reveal and magnify Himself to those who will believe in Him, who not seeing Him, yet believe in Him. And so, it was while Peter was there in Joppa that he stayed with a man named Simon who was a tanner (vs. 43). Thus, Peter did not seek to stay in the homes of the rich and mighty, but rather he chose to dwell with the common working people. 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 9:32–35

³² Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. ³³ There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. ³⁵ So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Commentary 

During this time Peter himself was also on the move, going throughout all parts of the country, seeking out disciples wherever they maybe. And so, during this time he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda, (a city also called Lod) which was northeast of Jerusalem. Now while there he found a certain man named Aeneas who had been be ridden for eight years he was paralyzed (vs. 33). Therefore, Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately ^{Vs. 34} Now the effect of Peter healing Aeneas by the Holy Spirits power was that all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon (the neighboring coastal plains region), saw him, and seeing him healed they all turned to the Lord! Peters evangelic endeavors then were always ongoing even as he was ministering to saints wherever he found them.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 9:26–31

²⁶ And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. ²⁹ And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. ³⁰ When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. ³¹ Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. 

Commentary 

Vs. 26 “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.” 

Having escaped the murderous plot against him at Damascus, Saul now returns to Jerusalem, the very place where he had first set out in opposition to the faith that he now so strongly believed and was himself now boldly declaring and defending to the Jews. For it was there at Jerusalem where the apostles of the Lord were, and Saul himself had also seen the risen Lord, and so Saul wanted to speak with them about the vison of the Lord He had seen on the Damascus road where his salvation took place. Therefore, arriving there and thinking he would find the same acceptance that he had found in Damascus, Saul unfortunately initially found that the disciples of Jerusalem were not willing to receive him when he tried to join them, for they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was now a Christian. Saul’s past exploits then against them was still fresh in their minds. 

Vs. 27 “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” 

Nonetheless there was a man there named Barnabas (who himself was a Levite, and was well trusted by the apostles, Acts 4:36-37) who befriended Paul, and so he brought Paul to the apostles. When Paul met them, he told them how the Lord Jesus had appeared to him on the Damascus road, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 

Vs. 28-30 ²⁸ So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. ²⁹ And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. ³⁰ When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. 

Therefore, Saul was with the apostles at Jerusalem coming in and going out Thus, he was now accepted by them as one of them (vs. 28). Now Saul also spoke boldly in the name of the Lord at Jerusalem, (which would’ve been the most dangerous place for him to do so), nonetheless he did so, and he even disputed with the Hellenists there (that is the Greek speaking Jews) who were so strongly opposed to the Lord Jesus Christ being preached there that they attempted to kill him (vs. 29). Now when the brethren found out they brought Saul down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus, (a large prominent Roman city which was across the Mediterranean Sea in Cilicia) which was the land of his nativity. 

Vs. 31 “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” 

The effect of Saul believing in and now belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ then was felt throughout the churches. For believers in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria now all had peace and were edified; not only because Saul was no longer persecuting them; but he himself had now become the utmost defender of the faith, for he was using his extensive knowledge of the Word of God to do so! Therefore, with his dramatic salvation by the Lord on the Damascus road, and how he was fully committed to the Lord they began walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and so they multiplied.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

 

 

Acts 9:23–25

 ²³ Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. ²⁴ But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. ²⁵ Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. 

Commentary 

Such then was Saul’s effectiveness in confounding the Jews of Damascus that they after many days, now plotted to kill him. For Saul having continually refuted the Jews there, and now having traveled to regions of Arabia and then back to Damascus (Gal. 1:17), whereby his preaching had only grown in knowledge and wisdom and impact, as the Lord revealed Himself and His Gospel more fully to Him (Gal. 1:11-12; Eph. 3:3-7 etc.). The Jews then unable to refute him and keep people from turning to the Lord through his preaching Jesus Christ to them now plot to kill him. Even recruiting the governor of Damascus (2 Cor. 11:32-33) to arrest Saul for them. They then along with his guard now watched the gates of Damascus night and day for any sign of him. Thankfully though their scheme became known to Saul, and so the brethren realizing that Saul must escape Damascus if he is to live, now take him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket by which he would escape them. This then will begin Saul’s perilous journey out of Damascus and onto Jerusalem where he will seek to meet with the brethren and specifically the apostles there. 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 9:20–22

 ²⁰ Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. ²¹ Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” ²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. 

Commentary 

Vs. 20 “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” 

With Saul’s amazing transformation by the Lord Jesus Christ baptizing him with His Holy Spirit, Saul now begins to preach the Christ, that is the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God in the synagogues, (i.e., the local worship assemblies of the Jews) in Damascus. 

Vs. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 

With Saul’s radical transformation by the Lord those there in the synagogues should’ve themselves believed, but instead they were only confused as to how this man who once tried to destroy those who were confessing the Lord Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, and had come there to Damascus with letters from the chief priests to arrest and bring back for trial those who were confessing Jesus Christ there, was now himself preaching the very Person and Name of the Lord Jesu Christ whom he once so fiercely opposed! Saul then would soon to become the target of the unbelieving Jews, just as he himself once targeted those who had turned to Christ. 

Vs. 22 “But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.” 

Now as opposition began to arise against Saul and his preaching Christ, he did not falter, rather he increased all the more in strength, and he confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving to them that this Jesus that He had believed in and was testifying to them was the Christ, that is the Promised Christ or Messiah of the Scriptures. Thus, Saul’s extensive training in the Word of God and the doctrines of the Jews as a Pharisee was now serving the Lord Jesus Christ in declaring Him and refuting those that oppose Him!  

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 9:10–19

 ¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” ¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” ¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” ¹⁷ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. ¹⁹ So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 

Commentary 

Vs. 10-12 ¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” ¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 

The scene now shifts from Saul, to a disciple also at Damascus named Ananias. Now the Lord calls to him in a vision by name saying, “Ananias.” To which he responds, “Here I am Lord.” Ananias’ then is an eager servant of the Lord just like the Lord’s chosen servants in times past, and so the Lord knowing this now calls upon him, saying to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” ^{Vs. 11-12} And so, with that the Lord now gives Ananias specific instructions about where he must go, specifically to a street called Straight, which seems most appropriate, and their inquiry at the house of Judas for a man called Saul of Tarsus, whom the Lord tells Ananias is praying, “And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” ^{Vs. 12} Thus, the Lord has makes it clear to Ananias that this is His Will and His doing, and that He is bringing these two men together so that He may bring Saul into the faith. For as we will see He has many plans for him to fulfill. 

Vs. 13-16 ¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  

Now when Ananias heard that he was to go to Saul of Tarsus he immediately had some strong reservations about doing so, for he had heard from many how much harm Saul had caused the believers (i.e., saints) in Jerusalem. Also, he had heard that Saul now had authority from the chief priests to even seek out and arrest believers even beyond Jerusalem (vs. 13-14). Nonetheless the Lord Jesus makes it absolutely clear to Ananias that he must go, saying to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Therefore, the Lord Jesus leaves no room for Ananias’ capitulation, but instead tells him that the dreaded Saul is in fact a chosen vessel of Mine, chosen to bear the Lord’s name before Gentiles, before kings, and the children of Israel. All which must have astonished Ananias when he heard these things. Therefore, to remove Ananias trepidation about doing so the Lord Jesus not only foretells him these things, which He will make happen in His own way and time, but He says He will even show the apostle Paul how many things he must suffer for His Names sake. Thus, there is to be no mistaking that the then Saul, and now soon to be apostle Paul will have not only a mighty ministry entrusted to him by the Lord, to bear witness to the Gentiles and Jews and their kings, but he will also be told how many things that he must suffer for Christ’s Names sake beforehand. Ananias then must go and seek out Saul immediately as he has been commanded by the Lord. 

Vs. 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 

Therefore, having heard from the Lord Jesus Christ and His and plans for Saul, Ananias in believing Him, now puts aside his own fears and sets out to find him. Having then found him, as the Lord directed him to him, he now speaks to Saul as now a beloved brother in the Lord, saying to him, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ^{Vs. 17} Thus, Ananias in doing so shows us all that true Christian grace and maturity does not remember or recall one’s deeds done in the past, but rather he in following and obeying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now graciously extends the right hand of fellowship and seeks the wellbeing of Saul, a man who was once an enemy of church. It’s an incredible act of love and acceptance and kindness, all which must have also mightily moved the heart of Saul. 

Vs. 18 “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” 

Now as soon as Ananias spoke those words to Saul, the Scripture says that something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and immediately he received his sight! Having then received his sight and thus seeing by the brethren there for the first time, people whom he now loved, Saul arose and was baptized. 

Vs. 19 “So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.” 

Having received his sight and been baptized, Saul now ends his fast, for he is now a new man, believing in and belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ and His people. And so, the disciples there in Damascus now receive him as such. Therefore, the once feared and hated Saul is now a Christian whose life will now be fulfilled in serving the Lord Jesus Christ and His people, and thus opening the eyes of all people as his was opened to Christ! 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 9:1–9

 ¹ Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” ⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

 Commentary 

Vs. 1-2 ¹ Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 

Now during this time of great evangelistic activity and prosperity in reaching people from every language and culture for Christ, there was also a counter zeal taking place. And so once again we hear of the person Saul, who was the young prodigy from the Sanhedrin council, who bore witness too and cast his vote for the death of Stephen, the churches fist martyr (Acts 6:8-7:60). It seems then that this Saul had now grown not only in years, but also in his own zeal for seeking out those Jews who were now turning to the Lord Jesus Christ. For the Scripture says that Saul was at that time now breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord (vs. 1), thus from a silent witness at the martyrdom death of Stephen as a young man, to now in his maturity an emboldened and hate filled zealous man whose only focus had become to seek to destroy the faith that he himself thought was a threat to his own. And so, Saul wanting to stop the spread of it by any means possible, now went to the high priest and requested letters from him that would authorize him to seize and arrest and bring back to Jerusalem for trial any who were of the Way, (i.e. John 14:6), that is any and all men and woman who were following and professing Jesus Christ as their Lord. This then was some of the darkest days of the early church, especially for Jewish believers, for they were then bearing the brunt of the persecution that had arisen against the Way. 

Vs. 3-6 ³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” ⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 

Though Saul’s zeal was now leading him onto Damascus to arrest the believers there, yet the Lord had other plans for Him. And so it was that as he journeyed that suddenly a light shone around him from heaven, and such was it’s intensity (Acts 26:12-18, vs. 13) that Saul immediately fell to the ground where he heard a voice speaking to him in the Hebrew language saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ^{vs. 4} Now when Saul heard the voice from heaven he immediately asked, “Who are You, Lord?” Now in Saul’s question there is an honest revelation about himself at that time. For up until then Saul did not know the Lord of heaven; though he knew the O.T. Scriptures and all the teachings of the Pharisees and their rabbis, yet he himself just like them did not know the Lord. Therefore, in answering him the Lord now declares Himself to him saying, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (vs. 5) Now what a stunning revelation that must have been for Saul to hear that directly from Him, and in such a powerful way! For truly at that time in following the zeal and hatred of his own elders in seeking to destroy this “new sect”, Saul thought he was serving the Lord by binding believers in chains and putting them in prison wherever he found them. And so now Saul is shaken to the core of his very being when the Lord of heaven in revealing Himself to him declares that He is Jesus the Very One whom Saul thought Crucified and dead and yet here He is speaking to him from heaven telling him that what he has been doing was not serving Him, but only persecuting Him! For to seek to destroy or harm or unsettle anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ is only to make war with Him! Therefore, the Lord Jesus also says to Saul, “…it is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 

Vs. 3-6 Now goads are pointed barbs on wooden rods that were used to make stubborn animals move, thus Jesus gives Saul (and us) a wonderful picture of Saul’s own futile efforts in seeking to oppose Him and his people. For to “kick against the goads” is only to continue to harm and frustrate oneself in opposing the Lord and His people. Therefore, Saul now trembling and astonished said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (vs. 6). Saul then having his own religious zealous pride broken by the Omnipresence of the Lord appearing and speaking to him will now find a new direction for his life, a direction that will make him a true servant of the Lord Jesus Christ! This then is how the once zealous but terribly misguided Saul was called by God to become the apostle Paul for Christ! 

Vs. 7 “And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.” 

Now those men who traveled with Saul were not chosen by God to see the Glorified Lord Jesus Christ only Saul was, though they themselves heard the voice speaking to Saul from heaven. 

Vs. 8-9 “Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” 

Now as Saul arose from the ground, he found that after seeing the Lord that he was now blinded. And so those with him had to lead him by the hand and they brought him into Damascus, Saul’s destination. Now Saul was there three days and nights without sight, during which time he neither ate nor drank, for he himself had now gone into deep fasting and prayer.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.