2 Saul going towards Damascus, 4 is stricken down to the ground of the Lord: 10 Ananias is sent 18 to baptize him. 23 The laying away of the Jews, 25 he escapeth, being let down through the wall. 33 Peter cureth Aeneas of the palsy, 36 and by him Tabitha being dead, 40 is restored to life.

And (A)[a]Saul yet [b]breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high Priest,

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the Synagogues, that if he found any that were of that [c]way, (either men or women) he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Now as he journeyed, it came to pass that as he was come near to Damascus, (B)suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is [d]hard for thee to kick against pricks.

He then both trembling and astonied, said, Lord, what wilt thou that I do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.

The men also which journeyed with him, [e]stood amazed, hearing his [f]voice, but seeing no man.

And Saul arose from the ground, and opened his eyes, but saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus,

Where he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 And 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.

11 Then the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas after one called Saul of [g]Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth.

12 (And he saw in a vision a man named Ananias coming in to him, and putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.)

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.

14 Moreover here he hath authority of the high Priests, to bind all that call on thy Name.

15 Then the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a [h]chosen vessel unto me, to bear my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel.

16 For I will [i]show him, how many things he must suffer for my Name’s sake.

17 Then Ananias went his way, and entered into [j]that house, and put his hands on him, and saith, Brother Saul, the Lord hath sent me (even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest) that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales, and suddenly he received sight, and arose, and was baptized,

19 And received meat, and was strengthened. So was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 [k]And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues, that he was that Son of God.

21 So that all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he, that made havoc of them which called on this Name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he should bring them bound unto the high Priests?

22 [l]But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, [m]confirming that this was that Christ.

23 [n]And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him,

24 But their laying await was known of Saul: now they (C)watched the gates day and night, that they might kill him.

25 [o]Then the disciples took him by night, and put him through the wall, and let him down by a rope in a basket.

26 [p]And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself with the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apostles, and declared to them, how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken unto him, and how he had spoken boldly at Damascus in the Name of Jesus.

28 [q]And he was conversant [r]with them at Jerusalem,

29 And spake boldly in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and spake and disputed against the [s]Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30 [t]But when the brethren knew it, they brought him to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 [u]Then had the Churches rest through all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were [v]edified, and walked in the fear of the Lord, and were multiplied by the comfort of the holy Ghost.

32 [w]And it came to pass, as Peter walked throughout all quarters, he came also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his couch eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34 Then said Peter unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise and truss thy couch together. And he arose immediately.

35 And all that dwelt at [x]Lydda and Sharon, saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36 [y]There was also at Joppa a certain woman, a disciple named Tabitha (which by interpretation is called Dorcas) she was full of good works and alms which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 Now forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring that he would not delay to come unto them.

39 Then Peter arose and came with them: and when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber, where all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments, which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed, and turned him to the body, and said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, sat up.

41 Then he gave her the hand and lifted her up, and called the Saints and widows, and restored her alive.

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a Tanner.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:1 Saul (who is also Paul) persecuting Christ most cruelly, who did as it were flee before him, falleth into his hands, and is overcome: and with a singular example of the goodness of God, instead of punishment which he justly deserved for his cruelty, is not only received to favor, but is also even by the mouth of God appointed an Apostle, and is confirmed by the ministry and witness of Ananias.
  2. Acts 9:1 This is a token that Saul’s stomach boiled and cast out great threatenings to murder the disciples.
  3. Acts 9:2 Any trade of life which a man taketh himself unto, the Jews call a way.
  4. Acts 9:5 This is a proverb which is spoken of them that through their own stubbornness hurt themselves.
  5. Acts 9:7 Stood still and could not go one step forward, but abode amazed as if they had been very stones.
  6. Acts 9:7 They heard Paul’s voice: for afterwards it is said in flattering, that they heard not his voice that speak: as beneath, Acts 22:9. But others go about to set these places at one which seem to be at ajar, after this sort, to wit, that they heard a sound of a voice, but no perfect voice.
  7. Acts 9:11 Tarsus was a city of Cilicia near unto Anchiala, which two cities Sardanapalus is said to have built in one day.
  8. Acts 9:15 To bear my name in.
  9. Acts 9:16 I will show him plainly.
  10. Acts 9:17 Into Judas’s house.
  11. Acts 9:20 Paul beginneth straightways to execute the office which was enjoined him, never consulting with flesh and blood.
  12. Acts 9:22 Paul striveth not with his own authority alone, but with the testimonies of the Prophets.
  13. Acts 9:22 By conferring places of the Scripture together, as cunning craftsman do, when they make up anything, they use to gather all parts together, to make them agree fitly one with another.
  14. Acts 9:23 Paul, who was before a persecutor, hath now persecution laid before himself, but yet afar off.
  15. Acts 9:25 We are not forbidden to avoid and eschew the dangers and conspiracies that the enemies of God lay for us, so that we swerve not from our vocation.
  16. Acts 9:26 In ancient times no man was rashly or lightly received into the number of and amongst the sheep of Christ, much less to be a pastor.
  17. Acts 9:28 The constant servants of God must look for danger after danger: yet God watcheth for them.
  18. Acts 9:28 With Peter and James, for he saith that he saw none of the Apostles but them, Gal. 1:18-19.
  19. Acts 9:29 See Acts 6:1.
  20. Acts 9:30 The ministers of the word may change their place, by the advice and counsel of the congregation and Church.
  21. Acts 9:31 The end of persecution is the building of the Church, so that we will patiently wait for the Lord.
  22. Acts 9:31 This is a borrowed kind of speech, which signifieth establishment and increase.
  23. Acts 9:32 Peter’s Apostleship is confirmed by healing of the man that was sick of the palsy.
  24. Acts 9:35 Lydda was a city of Palestine, and Sharon a Champion country and a place of good pasturage between Caesarea of Palestine and the mountain Tabor, and the lake of Gennesaret, which extendeth itself in great length beyond Joppa.
  25. Acts 9:36 Peter declareth evidently by raising up a dead body through the Name of Christ, that he preacheth the glad tidings of life.

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