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While Saul Is Going To Damascus To Persecute Believers, Jesus Appears To Him

Now Saul, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the high priest, asked-for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus so that if he found any being of the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And during the proceeding, it came about that he was drawing-near to Damascus. And suddenly a light from heaven flashed-around him. And having fallen on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, sir[a]?” And the One said, “I am Jesus Whom you are persecuting. But arise and enter into the city, and it will be told you what thing you must do”. And the men traveling-with him were standing speechless[b], hearing the voice[c] but seeing no one. And Saul was raised[d] from the ground. And his eyes having been opened, he was seeing nothing. And hand-leading him, they brought him into Damascus. And he was not seeing for three days. And he did not eat nor drink.

God Tells Ananias To Go Give Saul His Sight, For He Is God’s Chosen Instrument

10 Now a certain disciple was in Damascus— Ananias by name. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias”. And the one said, “Behold, I am here, Lord”. 11 And the Lord said to him, “Having arisen, go on the lane being called ‘Straight’, and seek one-from-Tarsus, Saul by name, in the house of Judas. For behold— he is praying. 12 And he saw a man in a vision, Ananias by name, having come in and laid hands on him so that he might see-again”. 13 And Ananias responded, “Lord, I heard about this man from many— how many bad things he did to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all the ones calling-upon Your name”. 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, because this one is a chosen instrument[e] for Me— that he might carry My name before both Gentiles and kings, and sons of Israel. 16 For I will show him how-many things he must suffer for My name”. 17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house. And having laid his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me forth— Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road on which you were coming— so that you may see-again and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. 18 And immediately something like scales[f] fell from his eyes. And he saw-again[g], and having arisen, was baptized. 19 And having taken food, he strengthened.

Saul Begins Proclaiming Christ In Damascus. He Escapes a Plot To Kill Him

Now he came-to-be with the disciples in Damascus for some days. 20 And immediately he was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues— that this One is the Son of God. 21 And all the ones hearing were astonished, and were saying, “Is not this the one having destroyed in Jerusalem the ones calling-upon this name? And he had come here for this— that he might bring them bound to the chief priests!” 22 And Saul was becoming more strong. And he was confounding[h] the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ. 23 And when considerable days were being fulfilled, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot was known by Saul. And they were even closely-watching the gates both by day and by night so that they might kill him. 25 But his disciples, having taken him by night, let him down through the wall, having lowered[i] him in a large-basket.

Saul Joins The Disciples In Jerusalem. Due To a Plot To Kill Him, He Is Sent To Tarsus

26 And having arrived in Jerusalem, he was trying to join the disciples. And they all were fearing him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas, having taken-hold-of him, brought him to the apostles and related to them how he saw the Lord on the road, and that[j] He spoke to him; and how in Damascus he spoke-boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, going in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking-boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was speaking and debating with the Hellenists, but the ones were attempting[k] to kill him. 30 But the brothers, having learned it, brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

The Church Enjoys Peace And Growth

31 So indeed the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria was having peace, while being built-up. And it was being multiplied while walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort[l] of the Holy Spirit.

Peter Goes Through The Regions Healing And Proclaiming Christ. He Heals Aeneas in Lydda

32 Now it came about that Peter, while going through all the regions[m], came down also to the saints dwelling-in Lydda. 33 And he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name, who had been paralyzed, lying down on a cot for eight years. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed for yourself ”. And immediately he arose. 35 And all the ones dwelling-in Lydda and Sharon saw him— who[n] [then] turned to the Lord.

Peter Raises Dorcas From The Dead In Joppa

36 Now in Joppa, there was a certain disciple, Tabitha by name (which being interpreted[o] means “Dorcas”). This one was full of good works and acts-of-almsgiving[p] which she was doing. 37 And it came about in those days that having become sick, she died. And having washed her, they laid her in an upper-room. 38 Now Lydda being near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was in it, sent-out two men to him urging, “Do not delay to come to us”. 39 And having arisen, Peter went with them— whom[q], having arrived, they brought up into the upper room. And all the widows stood near him, weeping and showing him tunics[r] and garments— all-that Dorcas was making while being with them. 40 And Peter— having put everyone outside, and having put down his knees— prayed. And having turned to the body, he said, “Tabitha, rise-up”. And the one opened her eyes! And having seen Peter, she sat up. 41 And having given her his hand, he raised her up. And having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many put-faith upon the Lord. 43 And it came about that he stayed considerable days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:5 Or, lord, as in 10:4; Rev 7:14.
  2. Acts 9:7 Or, dumbfounded.
  3. Acts 9:7 Or, sound.
  4. Acts 9:8 Or, arose.
  5. Acts 9:15 Or, vessel, tool.
  6. Acts 9:18 That is, scales of a fish. Or, ‘flakes’ of skin.
  7. Acts 9:18 Or, received sight.
  8. Acts 9:22 Or, throwing-into-confusion.
  9. Acts 9:25 On this incident, compare 2 Cor 11:32-33.
  10. Acts 9:27 Or, and what thing He spoke to him.
  11. Acts 9:29 Or, undertaking, taking-in-hand.
  12. Acts 9:31 Or, encouragement.
  13. Acts 9:32 Or, districts, places.
  14. Acts 9:35 This word is plural.
  15. Acts 9:36 Or, translated. Dorcas means gazelle.
  16. Acts 9:36 That is, charity to the poor.
  17. Acts 9:39 That is, Peter.
  18. Acts 9:39 That is, undergarments.

Saul’s Conversion(A)

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(D) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(J) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(K) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(L) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(M) him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(N) in Jerusalem.(O) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(P) to arrest all who call on your name.”(Q)

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(R) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(S) and their kings(T) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(U)

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(V) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(W) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(X) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples(Y) in Damascus.(Z) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(AA) that Jesus is the Son of God.(AB) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(AC) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(AD) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(AE)

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(AF) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(AG) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(AH)

26 When he came to Jerusalem,(AI) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(AJ) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(AK) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(AL) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a](AM) but they tried to kill him.(AN) 30 When the believers(AO) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(AP) and sent him off to Tarsus.(AQ)

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(AR) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(AS)

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(AT) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(AU) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AV) saw him and turned to the Lord.(AW)

36 In Joppa(AX) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(AY) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(AZ) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(BA) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(BB) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(BC) then he got down on his knees(BD) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(BE) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(BF) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(BG)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture