Romans 11:10

11:10 let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see,

and make their backs bend continually.” ¹ 

Deuteronomy 28:29

28:29 You will feel your way along at noon like the blind person does in darkness and you will not succeed in anything you do; ²  you will be constantly oppressed and continually robbed, with no one to save you.

Isaiah 60:2

60:2 For, look, darkness covers the earth

and deep darkness covers ³  the nations,

but the Lord shines on you;

his splendor ⁴  appears over you.

Acts 26:18

26:18 to open their eyes so that they turn ⁵  from darkness to light and from the power ⁶  of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share ⁷  among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Acts 26:1

Paul Offers His Defense

26:1 So Agrippa ⁸  said to Paul, “You have permission ⁹  to speak for yourself.” Then Paul held out his hand ¹⁰  and began his defense: ¹¹ 

Acts 2:9

2:9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, ¹² 

¹ sn A quotation from Ps 69:22-23.

² tn Heb “you will not cause your ways to prosper.”

³ tn The verb “covers” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

⁴ tn Or “glory” (so most English versions); TEV “the brightness of his presence.”

⁵ sn To open their eyes so that they turn… Here is Luke’s most comprehensive report of Paul’s divine calling. His role was to call humanity to change their position before God and experience God’s forgiveness as a part of God’s family. The image of turning is a key one in the NT: Luke 1:79; Rom 2:19; 13:12; 2 Cor 4:6; 6:14; Eph 5:8; Col 1:12; 1 Thess 5:5. See also Luke 1:77-79; 3:3; 24:47.

⁶ tn BDAG 352-53 s.v. ἐξουσία 2 states, “Also of Satan’s power Ac 26:18.” It is also possible to translate this “the domain of Satan” (cf. BDAG 353 s.v. 6)

⁷ tn Or “and an inheritance.”

⁸ sn See the note on King Agrippa in 25:13.

⁹ tn Grk “It is permitted for you.”

¹⁰ tn Or “extended his hand” (a speaker’s gesture).

¹¹ tn Or “and began to speak in his own defense.”

¹² tn Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.