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.
