1 Then aSaul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked aletters 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.
3aAs 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, awhy are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.1It 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 athe 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.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus anamed 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 aof Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12And 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, ahow much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all awho call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for ahe is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before bGentiles, ckings, and the dchildren of Israel.
16For aI will show him how many things he must suffer for My bname’s sake.”
17aAnd Ananias went his way and entered the house; and blaying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord1 Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and cbe 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. aThen Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Preaches Christ
20 Immediately he preached1 the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
he came near Damascus—so Acts 22:6. Tradition points to a bridge near the city as the spot referred to. Events which are the turning points in one's history so imprint themselves upon the memory that circumstances the most trifling in themselves acquire by connection with them something of their importance, and are recalled with inexpressible interest.
suddenly—At what time of day, it is not said; for artless simplicity reigns here. But he himself emphatically states, in one of his narratives, that it was "about noon" (Acts 22:6), and in the other, "at midday" (Acts 26:13), when there could be no deception.
there shined round about him a light from heaven—"a great light (he himself says) above the brightness of the sun," then shining in its full strength.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Acts 9:3:
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