The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 9
Chapter IX · Vol. IV, pp. 268–273
1 Saul, going towards Damascus, 4 is stricken down to the earth, 10 is called to the apostleship, 18 and is baptized by Ananias. 20 He preacheth Christ boldly. 23 The Jews lay wait to kill him: 29 so do the Grecians, but he escapeth both. 31 The church having rest, Peter healeth Eneas of the palsy, 36 and restoreth Tabitha to life.
1 And Saul,a yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high-priest,
2 And desired of him bletters to 1Damascus to the synagogues, that, if he found any of cthis way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
b Es.3.12. ch.26.12;22.5;ver.14.
1 The Jewish Sanhedrim had not only power in their own territory, but, through the connivance or authority of the Romans, could claim and bring back their own countrymen to abide their trial, in religious matters, at Jerusalem. A similar imperium in imperio the Jewish rabbis still exercise in several Asiatic countries, whereby they are able greatly to impede the progress of the gospel.—C.
c ch.19.9,23;28.22.
3 And das he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou eme?2
2 A question which declares in terms stronger than any direct intimation, that Jesus so sympathizes with his persecuted members, that, in their sufferings, he suffers.—C.
e Is.63.9. Mat.25.40,45. 1 Co.12.12. Ep.5.30.
5 And he said, gWho art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: hit is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord,i what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, jhearing a voice, but seeing no man.3
j Da.10.7. ch.22.9; 26.13,14.
3 As it is distinctly mentioned that Saul's assistants 'saw no man,' it seems evidently implied that Saul saw the Lord Jesus: besides which it is declared (ver. 17) that the Lord Jesus had 'appeared to him in the way.' See also ch. 22.14. 1 Co. 9.1; 15.8.—The discrepancy between this verse and ch. 26.14 will be examined when, if the Lord will, that passage comes under examination.—C.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened,4 he saw no man: kbut they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days lwithout sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
l 1 Co.3.18,19. ver.8, 11,12. Ga.1.12,15,16. 2 Co.12.2.
10 Andn there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
n ch.22.12. Nu.12.6. 1 Sa.3.9,10.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight,5 and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul,o of Tarsus: for, pbehold, he prayeth,6
5 The Straight Street, or via recta of the Romans, ran through the city from the east gate to the west. There was a triple avenue, divided by ranges of Corinthian columns, some few fragments of which still remain in situ.—P.
o ch.21.9; 22.3; 11.25.
p Is.55.6. Lu.18.13. Ps.50.15; 91.15; 32.6. Da.9.20.
6 Prayer, private, habitual, humble, earnest, confiding, and persevering, is a striking and peculiar mark of a true convert. This mark of identity is noted for the farther purpose of reconciling Ananias to a persecutor of the church, on the evidence that God was reconciled when he so graciously heard his prayer. See ver. 13.—C.
12 Andq hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, rhow much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
r ch.8.3; ver.1,2; ch.22.3-5; 26.9-12. 1 Co.15.9. Ga.1.13. Phi.3.6. 1 Ti.1.13,15.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for the is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
t ch.13.2. Ro.1.1,9,5. 1 Co.15.10. Ga.1.15; 2.7,8. 1 Ti.2.7. 2 Ti.1.11; 2.20. ch.22.21; 26.17-20. Ro.11.13; 15.16,19. Ep.3.7,8. ch.xii. xxvi.; 21.11; 25.23; 28.17.
16 Foru I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
u ch.20.22,23; 23.11; 21.11. 2 Co.11.23-27. 2 Ti.1.12.
17 Andv Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and xbe filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 Andy immediately7 there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
7 The immediate infliction of the blindness by light, not by lightning—the nature of the disease, an extraordinary scaly incrustation affecting the whole eye—together with the suddenness of the removal of a disease, not merely nervous, but exanthematous, puts the supernatural and miraculous character of the occurrence beyond all philosophical question; and as for infidel theories, they are never philosophical, but always imaginative and arbitrary.—C.
y ver.8. Ga.1.15,16. 2 Co.3.14; 4.6.
19 Andz when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 Anda straightway8 he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
A.M. cir. 4039. A.D. cir. 35.
a Ga.1.15-17,23. ch.26.19-23; 8.37. Phi.3.7-9. 1 Co.2.2; 15.10.
8 The apparent disagreement between this statement and Ga. 1.17 will be examined, if the Lord will, in a note upon that verse.—C.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said, bIs not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
b Mat.13.54,55. 1 Sa.10.11. Ga.1.13,23,24. ch.8.1,3; ver.1,2,13,14.
22 But Saul cincreased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, dproving that this is very Christ.9
c Ps.84.7.
d Lu.24.25-27,44. ch.18.28. He.i.-x.
9 Very Christ. Rather, 'the Christ,' 'the Messiah,' promised by the LORD, foretold by prophets, and eagerly expected by the Jews.—C.
23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews etook counsel to kill him.1
e ch.23.12; 25.3. Mat.10.16-23. 1 Th.2.15,16. Jn.16.3; 11.47-57.
1 During the interval between his conversion and the attempt upon his life, Paul made a journey to Arabia, as stated in Ga. 1.18. Nothing is here said of that journey, nor of the length of the sojourn at Damascus; but we are told that a period of no less than three years elapsed between his conversion, and his flight from Damascus. The greater part of that time appears to have been spent in missionary work in Arabia. See note on Ga. 1.18 and 2 Co. 11.32.—P.
24 Butg their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates2 day and night, to kill him.
g 2 Co.11.26,32,33. Jos.2.15,16. 1 Sa.19.12. Ps.21.11; 37.32,33.
2 The Jews 'lay in wait,' most probably near the house where he was known to lodge; and 'the gates' were watched by the soldiers of Aretas, 2 Co. 11.32, to whom it is not unlikely some of the more zealous and bloodthirsty of the Jews voluntarily united themselves in the guard.—C.
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall, in a basket.
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, hhe assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27 Buti Barnabas took him, and brought him to the japostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached kboldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them lcoming in and going out at Jerusalem.
l Nu.27.17, 21. Ps.121.8. ch.1.21.
29 And he nspake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the 3Grecians: but othey went about to slay him.
n ch.6.10; 4.13; 18.22. Ep.6.19,20. ver.20,22.
3 Jews who used the Greek tongue, ch. 6.1; 11.20. And perhaps Jn. 12.20.
o ver.23.
30 Which when the brethren knew, pthey brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.4
p Mat.10.23. ch.17.50,51; 14.6; 17.10.
4 Tarsus was capital of Cilicia in Asia Minor. It was celebrated at this period as a centre of commercial enterprise, trading with the cities of Phœnicia and Palestine; but chiefly as a seat of Greek learning and philosophy, scarcely inferior to Athens itself. It was here Paul received instruction in the Greek language and literature.—P.
31 Thenq had the churches rrest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were sedified; and twalking in the fear of the Lord, and in the ucomfort of the Holy Ghost, were vmultiplied.Cited in HC 53
q ch.2.41-47; 4.4,31-35; 8.1.
r Ps.94.13; 119.165. Pr.16.7. Zec.9.1. Ro.14.17.
s Ro.14.19.
u Jn.14.16,17.
v ch.6.7; 12.24. Zec.8.20-22.
32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to xthe saints which dwelt at Lydda.5
A.D. cir. 39.
5 Lydda, called Lod in the Old Testament (1 Ch. 8.12), is situated in the plain of Sharon, near the great road from Jerusalem to Joppa, and about 10 m. distant from the latter. A village still occupies the old site & retains the old name.—P.
x Ga.2.7-9.
33 And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed yeight years, and was sick of the palsy.
y ch.3.2; 4.22. Jn.5.5; 9.2,21. Lu.13.16. Mar.9.17,21; 5.25.
34 And Peter said unto him, Eneas, zJesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. Anda he arose immediately.
z ch.3.6,12,16; 4.10. Jn.5.8. Mat.9.6.
A.D. cir. 39.
a See ch.3.7. Mar.1.31,42. ver.40; ch.14.8-10. Jn.14.12.
35 Andb all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron6 saw him, and turned to the Lord.
b Lu.7.16. ch.4.4; 5.12-14; 11.21. 1 Ch.5.16. 2 Co.3.16.
6 Saron, or as it is written in the Old Testament, Sharon (1 Ch. 27.29), was the name of the plain which extends from Lydda and Joppa on the south to Carmel on the north. A village of the same name may have stood upon it, but it is not anywhere mentioned; and the apostle in this passage probably refers to the inhabitants of the plain.—P.
36 Now there was at cJoppa7 a certain disciple named Tabitha,8 which by interpretation is called Dorcas:9 this woman was dfull of good works and alms-deeds which she did.
c Jos.19.46. 2 Ch.2.16. Ezr.3.7. Jonah 1.3. ch.10.5.
7 Joppa—now 'Jaffa,' one of the most ancient seaports in the world, about forty miles west of Jerusalem.—C.
8 Tabitha—Dorcas—both names (the one Syriac, the other Greek) signify 'antelope or gazelle.'—C.
9 Or, Doe or Roe.
d ch.10.4. Pr.31.31. Ja.1.27. Tit.2.7,14; 3.8. 1 Ti.2.10; 5.10.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom, when they had washed, they laid her in an eupper chamber.
e ch.1.13; 20.8. Mar.14.15.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to gJoppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay1 to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him hweeping, and showing ithe coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 Butj Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
j 1 Ki.17.19-23. 2 Ki.4.32-36. Mar.5.40-43. Jn.11.43. Mat.9.25. ch.7.60.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
Notes
Ver. 29. The Grecians. Paul, upon two accounts, made choice of 'the Grecians' as the special objects of his missionary efforts:—(1) Because they had been his unhappy assistants in the martyrdom of Stephen. (2) Because he was intimately acquainted with Grecian literature, and therefore better fitted to argue with them than any other of the apostles. For while God bestowed supernatural, he always made use of the natural and educational endowments of his servants. C.
Ver. 31. Rest. Rather, 'peace.' This lull in the storm of persecution, so far as natural causes can be assigned, is accounted for by referring it to the time when Caligula attempted to place his statue in the temple at Jerusalem—an event which threw the Jews into such consternation that they ceased to think of the Christians, or perhaps were willing to borrow countenance and aid from them in opposing that image-worship that was equally hateful to both. C.
Ver. 39. Showing the coats and garments, &c. Either the stock of ('outer and inner') garments she had provided for the future comfort of the poor, or the raiment of her providing which they had actually on. It matters nothing which! Blessed be the Lord! Dorcas hath still many daughters who continue to 'make the widows' hearts to sing for joy.'—Note, A religion that does not call forth, or permit, or encourage, the active benevolence of woman, cannot be the religion of the apostles! While ostentation of charity must be avoided, benevolence of heart must be cultivated. C.
Ver. 43. Simon a tanner. The name and profession of this Christian mechanic is recorded, to remind men that trade and hard labour are by no means inconsistent with Christian profession and Christian hospitality.—C.
Reflections.—Often it happens that Christians may have gone to the most fearful lengths before their conversion, yet through grace they are at length led to Christ. Yea, great is their madness, their malice, against the Redeemer; and all at their own infinite hazard. How irrefragable are the proofs of our Saviour's exaltation to his Father's right hand! He has appeared and spoken from heaven with divine majesty and glory; and through an authoritative use of his name, by faith, has healed the sick and raised the dead, even the dead in trespasses and sins. Victorious and divine also is his grace. It leads the most daring sinner into trembling and astonishment; stops his career of wickedness, and makes him all concern, all resignation, all obedience to his will; gives him a heart to pray, and turns the furious persecutor into a zealous preacher of the faith which he had once destroyed. No wonder that both saints and sinners are amazed at the marvellous change. Through great distress and darkness the good are sometimes brought into their blessed state, to their spiritual comforts, and remarkable usefulness in the church. But the miraculous convert is gradually emboldened and strengthened, to the silencing and confounding of every opposer. With great caution ought church-members to be admitted; but never should those whom Christ has marked with his grace and truth be rejected.—It is impossible for Christ ever to want instruments for carrying on his work. If he find them not here he does there, and can easily take away all their objections and discouraging difficulties. Nor can the most furious malice, nor the most crafty plots, keep them from going forward with their work. It is his desire to turn threatenings against and slaughter of his people into rest and peace, and so fill them with the comforts of the Holy Ghost, that they may be multiplied and edified. Pleasantly, then, do ministers visit churches, and impart benefits in the name of their Master. Thrice happy are they when their faithful ministrations issue in the conversion of multitudes. And it is honourable for saints and their profession when their piety and charity render their life greatly desired, and their death as much lamented.