Acts 9:1-19 Lesson 238

Acts 9:1-19
Lesson 238

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

The tyrant meets the Messiah.

Paul is baptized (9:18).

Ananias.

Ananias curing Saul's blindness.

By the Italian Baroque sculptor and painter Ciro Ferri (1634-1689).

Where is -

Damascus -
The capital of Syria (Isaiah 7:8) located 133 miles north of Jerusalem. First mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 14:15,
Damascus is believed to have been founded in 2000 BC, making it the oldest city in the world. Around 750 BC, Damascus was destroyed, and its citizens were carried off to Assyria (Amos 1:5). Years later, the city was rebuilt. In Paul's day, Damascus was a Roman city and an important business center that sat on a major trade route. It was while on a trip to Damascus that Paul was converted by Christ (Acts 9:1-18).

Tarsus -
Paul's birthplace (Acts 9:11; 21:39; 22:3), Tarsus, was a small but important city located twelve miles north of the Mediterranean Sea on the banks of the Cydnus River in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey). Tarsus was a wealthy commercial center that sat on the trade route from Syria to Asia Minor and was famous for its schools of philosophy.

Study Tip:

As you read, write your own chapter titles to describe the main topic in each passage.

The Acts of the Apostles

The King James Bible

Acts 9:1-19
Saul is converted

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as 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 me?

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

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, 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, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

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 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And 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, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 And 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 be filled with the Holy Ghost.

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

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

Margin notes:

"Desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." (9:2) - Saul asked the high priest for a letter, addressed to the synagogues of Damascus, authorizing him to arrest members of the Way (Christians), and to haul them back to Jerusalem in chains.

"Suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven." (9:3) - This is the first of Paul's six visions. See Acts 16:910; 18:9-10; 22:17-18; 23:11 and 27:23-24 to review the other five.

"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." (9:5) - When Paul hunted and persecuted Christians, he was also persecuting Jesus (Matthew 25:40).

"It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (9:5) - Pricks were long wooden rods with sharp pieces of metal attached. Farmers used them to control livestock. If cattle resisted the farmer by kicking back at the prick, it only hurt them. Likewise, by persecuting Christians, Paul was resisting God and hurting himself.

"Arise, and go into the city." (9:6) - Paul was told where to go.  Once there, he would learn what to do. These instructions were similar to the ones God gave Ezekiel six hundred years earlier (Ezekiel 3:22).

"When his eyes were opened, he saw no man." (9:8) - Means Paul was blind.

"Ananias." (9:10) - An early Christian of Damascus. It is uncertain what became of Ananias after he restored Paul's eyesight (9:17-18). But legend has it that he became the bishop of Damascus and was killed for his faith. Not to be confused with Ananias, the Jewish high priest or Ananias, the husband of Sapphira

"Judas." (9:11) - A Jew from Damascus who converted to Christianity.  This is a different Judas than the two disciples that followed Jesus.

"Hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias." (9:12) - Paul had a vision of being healed by Ananias.

"Done to thy saints at Jerusalem." (9:13) - "Done to your followers in Jerusalem."

"He is a chosen vessel unto me." (9:15) - "He is my chosen instrument."

"Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way." (9:17) - Means, "Jesus, who appeared to you on the road."

"He received sight forthwith." (9:18) - "He received his sight back immediately."

"And when he had received meat." (9:19) - "And when he had eaten."

To learn more about Paul's conversion, read Acts 22:3-21 and 26:9-18.

New Living Translation

Acts 9:1-19
Saul's Conversion

1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord's followers. So he went to the high priest.

2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them-both men and women-back to Jerusalem in chains.

3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?"

5 "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked.

And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!

6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone's voice but saw no one!

8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.

9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!"

"Yes, Lord!" he replied.

11 The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now.

12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again."

13 "But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!

14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name."

15 But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."

17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. Why didn't Paul eat or drink for three days? (9:9)

Find freedom by walking with God.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Paul didn't eat or drink for three days because he was lost in thought and prayer as he recovered from his meeting with Jesus Christ. His whole life was changed. In addition to being stricken to the ground and blinded, Paul had to cope with the realization of the horrible things he had done to Christians. Paul had been angry with believers (Acts 26:11) and thought it right to kill them (8:1). But being schooled in the ancient Hebrew writings, Paul realized the man he met on the road was the Messiah foretold in Scripture. Paul knew he had to set himself right with God, and it took time to re-evaluate his life and rethink everything he once believed in. After recovering, Paul re-ordered his existence and became one of Jesus' most ardent defenders.

Application thought for the day:

At first, Ananias feared meeting Paul and revealing his Christian faith to a man who could imprison, beat, or kill him (9:13-14). But he put aside his fears, called Paul brother (9:17) and ministered to him. An excellent example for all of us who fear revealing our Christian faith. While Ananias feared imprisonment or death, all we have to fear is a deaf ear or a little scorn. Remember Ananias and stand up for your faith.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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