Luke recorded the conversion and calling of Saul to demonstrate the supernatural power and sovereign direction of God. Saul's conversion was one of the most miraculous and significant instances of repentance that took place during the early expansion of the church.388His calling to be God's main missionary to the Gentiles was equally dramatic.
"No conversion has been more significant in the history of the Church . . ."389
"In this passage we have the most famous conversion story in all history."390
"The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch was in a chariot; the conversion of Saul of Tarsus was down in the dust."391
9:1-2 Since Stephen's martyrdom (cf. 8:3), Saul had been persecuting Jews who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah.392The Jewish high priest's Roman overseers gave the high priest authority to extradite Jews who were strictly religious offenders and had fled outside the Sanhedrin's jurisdiction.393Saul obtained letters from the high priest (evidently Caiaphas) giving him power to arrest Jesus' Jewish disciples from Palestine who had fled to Damascus because of persecution in Jerusalem. This grand inquisitor undoubtedly believed that he was following in the train of other zealous Israelites who had purged idolatry from Israel (e.g., Moses in Num. 25:1-5; Phinehas in Num. 25:6-15; Mattathias in 1 Macc. 2:23-28, 42-48).
"Saul never forgave himself for that. God forgave him; the Christians forgave him; but he never forgave himself . . . 1 Cor. 15:9[;] Gal. 1:13."394
The King of the Nabateans who governed Damascus at this time cooperated with Saul. He was Aretas IV (9 B.C.-40 A.D.).395Damascus stood about 150 miles to the northeast of Jerusalem. It was within the Roman province of Syria and was one of the towns of the Decapolis, a league of 10 self-governing cities. "The Way"was one of the earliest designations of Christianity (cf. 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22), and it appears only in Acts. It meant the path characterized by life and salvation. This title may go back to Jesus' teaching that He was the way and that His way of salvation was a narrow way (John 14:6; Matt. 7:14).
9:3-4 Other passages throw more light on the details of Saul's blinding vision. It took place about midday when the sun would have been shining its brightest (22:6; 26:13). What blinded Saul was not the sun, however, but a revelation of Jesus Christ (vv. 17, 27; 22:14; 26:16; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8). He saw the same person Stephen had seen as Saul witnessed Stephen dying (7:55). Jesus spoke to Saul from heaven addressing him by his Jewish name and in the language of the Jews (cf. 26:14). After riveting his attention, Jesus asked Saul why he was persecuting Himself--not His church, but Himself. Saul would have understood the voice as God's since in rabbinism a voice from heaven always connoted a rebuke or instruction from God.396
"Therefore when the voice went on to ask the question Why do you persecute me?' Saul was without doubt thoroughly confused. He was not persecuting God! Rather, he was defending God and his laws!"397
Jesus' question made Saul begin to appreciate the intimate union that Christians enjoy with Jesus, the Head of the body, the church. He was inHis disciples, not just with them or ruling over them, by His Spirit (cf. John 14:17). What they suffered He suffered.
9:5-6 In what sense did Saul address Jesus as Lord (Gr. kyrios)? It seems from Saul's reaction to this vision and his descriptions of it later that he realized the person addressing him was God. "Lord"therefore seems to be more than a respectful "Sir."Yet God was Saul's master already, even before he became a Christian, so he probably addressed the voice as his personal master as well as God. The identity of the voice was not completely clear to Saul. When Stephen had a similar vision, he recognized Jesus (7:55-56), but Saul did not recognize Him. This may imply that Saul had never seen Jesus during Jesus' earthly ministry. Or perhaps he asked "Who are you?"because, even though he believed God was speaking to him, he had never heard a voice from heaven before.
Jesus' self-revelation totally shocked Saul who until then had regarded Jesus as a blasphemous pretender to Israel's messianic throne. Saul now discovered that Jesus was God or at least with God in heaven, yet He was in some sense also present in His followers whom Saul was persecuting. Jesus again referred to Saul's persecution of Himself, a doubly convicting reminder of Saul's erroneous theology and sinful conduct. Jesus did not condemn him but graciously commanded him to enter Damascus and to wait for further directions from Himself. Saul learned that Jesus had a mission for him though he did not know what or how extensive it would be.
9:7-9 Evidently Saul's traveling companions heard a voice-like sound, but only Saul understood Jesus' words (cf. v. 7; 22:9; 26:14; cf. John 12:29). They all fell to the ground when they saw the light (26:14), but now they stood speechless. The light of the vision he had seen had blinded Saul temporarily. His companions had to lead him off into Damascus where he waited for three days for further instructions, blind, fasting, and praying (cf. 1:14).398
"He who had intended to enter Damascus like an avenging fury was led by the hand into that city, blind and helpless as a child."399
"In the light of Paul's subsequent career, his single-minded devotion to Christ, his tireless efforts to bring Jews and Gentiles alike face to face with the same Lord as he had encountered on the Damascus road, his remorse for his vindictive cruelty, his atonement for it in selfless service of the Church he had tried to crush, it is frivolous to attempt to explain away Paul's conversion as a hallucination, an attack of sunstroke, or an epileptic fit [as some Bible critics have alleged]. It was as is every genuine conversion experience a miracle of the grace of God."400
9:10-12 Evidently Ananias was not a refugee from Jerusalem (22:12) but a resident of Damascus. He, too, received a vision of the Lord Jesus (v. 17) to whom he submitted willingly (cf. 1 Sam. 3:4, 10). Jesus gave Ananias specific directions to another man's house in Damascus where he would find Saul. Straight Street is still one of the main thoroughfares running through Damascus east and west. Saul, like most Pharisees, was a man of prayer, and he continued to give prayer priority after his conversion (cf. 16:25; 20:36; 22:17). Luke recorded that Jesus was also a man of prayer (Luke 3:21; 6:12; 9:18, 28; 11:1; 22:41). The Lord prepared both Ananias and Saul with revelations of Himself so they would have no doubt about His personal dealings with them (cf. 10:1-23).
9:13-14 Ananias wanted to make sure he had heard the Lord correctly since Saul had become infamous for harming believers in Jesus. He had heard of Saul's reason for visiting Damascus and the authority to extradite that he had received from the chief priests. Ananias referred to the believers in Jerusalem as "saints,"set apart ones, the equivalent of those who call on the Lord's name. This is the first time Luke used the name "saints"for Christians in Acts.
"The Lord's work is revealed through events that overthrow human expectations. Humans calculate the future on the basis of their normal experience. These calculations leave them unprepared for the appearance of the Overruler, who negates human plans and works the unexpected. This is a problem not only for the rejectors of Jesus but also for the church, which, as our narrative indicates, is led by the Lord into situations beyond its fathoming. The narrator's sharp sense of God (and the exalted Messiah) as one who surprises appears again in this episode, and the reaction of Ananias (and in 9:26 the Jerusalem disciples) shows that the church, too, has difficulty keeping up with such a God."401
9:15-16 God revealed His purpose for Saul to bolster Ananias' courage. The inquisitor was to become Jesus' chosen instrument, the proud Pharisee His apostle to Gentiles and kings, and the golden boy of Judaism a persecuted Christian. "To bear my name"means to bear witness of Jesus. In the Greek text of verse 16 "I"is emphatic. Jesus meant that Ananias need not fear going to Saul because Jesus Himself would show Saul how much he would suffer; Ananias would not need to do that. This assurance would have encouraged Ananias further to go to Judas' house in search of Saul.
"In highlighting these features of being a chosen instrument,' sent to the Gentiles,' and to suffer for my [Jesus'] name,' Luke has, in effect, given a theological précis of all he will portray historically in chapters 13-28--a précis that also summarizes the self-consciousness of Paul himself as reflected in his own letters."402
9:17 Ananias communicated his Christian love for his new Christian brother with a touch and a loving word of greeting: "Brother."He then explained his purpose for coming to Saul. It was to restore his sight and to enable Saul to experience the filling of the Spirit. Ananias' purpose was not to commission Saul. Saul's commission came directly from the Lord, though Ananias announced it (22:14-16).
"The choice of Ananias for this task made it clear that Saul of Tarsus was not dependent upon the Twelve, and also that an apostle was not required for bestowing the Spirit (as might have been concluded from the case in Samaria)."403
The Holy Spirit filled Saul as he responded to God's Word appropriately. We may infer that Saul's conversion happened on the Damascus road and that he received the baptism of the Spirit at the same time.404Notice again the importance of being filled with (under the control of) the Holy Spirit.
9:18-19a God then restored Saul's sight. The impression given in the text is that the first thing he did was identify with Christ and the disciples of Christ by water baptism (cf. 8:12, 38). He did this even before breaking his fast of three days. Then he ate and received strength physically.
