1THE
ACTS
OF THE APOSTLES
WRITTEN BY
2LUKE

Acts 9

1Saul going toward Damascus is encompassed with a light from heaven, falleth to the earth, is called by Christ, and led blind to Damascus. 10Ananias is sent to him, by whom he is restored to sight, and baptized: he straightway preacheth Christ boldly. 23The Jews of Damascus seek to kill him; 26he goeth to Jerusalem, and is brought to the apostles by Barnabas; preaching boldly against the Grecians, he is again in danger of his life, and is sent to Tarsus. 31The church hath rest, and is multiplied. 32Peter cureth Aeneas of the palsy at Lydda; 36and raiseth Tabitha to life at Joppa.


1ANDa Saul, yet 1breathing out threatenings and slaughter against 2the disciples of the Lord, went unto the 3high priest,

a Acts 8:3; 22:4; 26:9; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:13.

1 Namely, after the death of Stephen; a similitude taken from lions or bears hunting after a prey; or, as bitter enemies use to demean themselves against others.

2 That is, those who adhered to Christ, and afterwards at Antioch were first called Christians, Acts 11:26.

3 Namely, and to the supreme council of the Jews, of which he was the head, Acts 22:5, with which council then existed the knowledge and the supreme judgment of the matters of the Jewish religion, yea even in the synagogues outside the Jewish land. See 2 Chron. 19:10; Acts 18:15.

2And desired of him letters to 4Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any 5of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

4 This was the capital city of Syria, situated on one side of mount Lebanon, about five or six days’ journey from Jerusalem; a heathen city, but where many of the dispersed Jews lived, and had synagogues. See verse 22. Acts 26:12; 2 Cor. 11:32.

5 That is, that doctrine. Hebraism. See Acts 24:14.

3Andb as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: andc suddenly there 6shined round about him ad light from heaven:

b Acts 22:6.

c 1 Cor. 15:8; 2 Cor. 12:3.

6 Gr. flashing about him, or irradiate about him.

d Acts 26:13.

4And he 7fell to the earth, and heard a voice 8saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou 9me?

7 Namely, through fright, amazement and fear.

8 Namely, in the Hebrew tongue, Acts 26:14.

9 Namely, in My members, that is, My church, which is My body, 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 5:23.

5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: ite is hard for thee to kick against 10the pricks.

e Acts 5:39.

10 Namely, as oxen and other beasts of burden strike out behind, when they are driven forward with pricks, and so hurt not the pricks but themselves.

6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, whatf wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee 11what thou must do.

f Luke 3:10; Acts 2:37; 16:30.

11 Namely, to get your sight again and to be accounted for a disciple, as is expounded in verse 17. For, otherwise, as concerning his doctrine and apostleship, he had it not neither from men, nor by men, Gal. 1:1, 12.

7Andg12the men which journeyed with him stood 13speechless, 14hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

g Dan. 10:7.

12 These men seem to have been those who were also given to Paul by the chief priests to bring the Christians, who were taken into custody, to Jerusalem, as is said in verse 2.

13 Or, struck dumb, namely, after that they had stood up again, for, they were also smitten down with Paul to the earth, Acts 26:14.

14 Some take this for the voice of Paul, wherewith he answered Christ, because in Acts 22:9 it is said, that they who were in Paul’s company heard not the voice of Him Who spoke with him. Others accord this thus, that here also indeed the voice of Christ is spoken of, but only of a hearing of the sound, without understanding of the words, but Acts 22:9 of a distinct hearing and understanding of the words. Similar example is in John 12:29, in the voice, which spoke from heaven to Christ, where some heard the same with understanding of the words, some the sound only without understanding of the words.

8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he 15saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

15 Namely, because there were scales come over his eyes, verse 18.

9And he was three days without sight, and neither 16did eat nor drink.

16 Namely, either through great astonishment, which had deprived him of all desire of meat and drink, or, to spend the entire time with prayer and humiliation, as is expressed in verse 11. For, in those countries men could endure long fasting better, than men in our lands. See Mat. 15:32; Mark 8:2.

10¶And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named 17Ananias; and to him said the Lord 18in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

17 This was an eminent disciple, as he is further described in Acts 22:12. Some ancient teachers think that he was one of the seventy-two disciples of Christ, previously chosen.

18 Namely, in a Divine vision by a withdrawing of his senses, in which the Lord appeared to him, as it happened in verse 12 unto Paul, who was then as yet blind.

11And 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, ofh19Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

h Acts 21:39; 22:3.

19 This was a city in Cilicia, which had received great benefits from the Roman emperors, and amongst others the citizenship of Rome also, unto which Paul sometimes hereafter appeals. See Acts 16:37, and 22:25. See the annotation at Acts 22 on verse 28.

12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, howi much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

i verse 1; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:13.

14And 20here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on 21thy name.

20 Namely, at Damascus itself.

21 That is, worship Thee and consequently believe in Thee, Rom. 10:14.

15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: forj he is a chosen 22vessel unto me, 23to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

j Acts 13:2; 22:21; Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:15; 2:8; Eph. 3:8; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11.

22 That is, instrument; or, minister and ambassador, 2 Cor. 5:20. Gr. a vessel of election, Gal. 1:15, 16.

23 That is, to hold forth or proclaim.

16Fork I will 24shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

k Acts 21:11; 2 Cor. 11:23.

24 That is, not only to instruct him beforehand about it, but also to give him courage and strength by My Spirit for it, as He promises His other disciples, John 16:33.

17Andl Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting 25his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that 26appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

l Acts 22:12.

25 Namely, for a sign that the Lord would extraordinarily strengthen him by the Holy Ghost in his Divine calling, and cure him of his blindness, Mark 16:18. See Acts 6:6.

26 Or, was seen of thee. For, that Christ was also seen of Paul in this revelation, appears in verse 27, and Acts 22:14; now whether this was done by a vision of the spirit only, as Acts 22:17, or with the eyes of the body before he was blinded by this light, is not said. But although it were so that he saw Him with the eyes of the body, yet it follows not from this that the body of Christ would have descended upon earth, for, that is repugnant to Acts 3:21, and God could have strengthened the sight of Paul, in order that he could see Christ in the heaven opened, as He did the sight of Stephen, Acts 7:56.

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

19And when he had received 27meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

27 Gr. food.

20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is 28the Son of God.

28 And consequently, the true Messiah, see verse 22; Acts 8:37.

21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22But Saul increased the more in strength, and 29confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, 30proving that this is very Christ.

29 Gr. confused the Jews, or made them ashamed, or, perplexed the Jews.

30 The Greek word signifies a demonstration that is made by conjoining or comparing, namely, of the predictions of the prophets with the fulfillment of the same in the person of Christ.

23¶And after that 31many days were 32fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

31 Namely, three complete years; all this time he taught in Arabia and at Damascus before he went to Jerusalem. See Gal. 1:17.

32 Or, elapsed.

24But their laying await was known of Saul. Andm33they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

m 2 Cor. 11:32.

33 Namely, the Jews, strengthened with the power of the governor of king Aretas, 2 Cor. 11:32.

25Then the disciples took him by night, andn let him down by the wall in a basket.

n Joshua 2:15; 1 Sam. 19:12.

26Ando when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayedp to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and 34believed not that he was a disciple.

o Acts 22:17.

p try, attempt*

34 Namely, seeing Paul’s conversion was not yet sufficiently known in the church, because thereafter, for the most time, he had been in Arabia, far from Jerusalem.

27Butq Barnabas took him, and brought him to 35the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

q Acts 11:25.

35 Namely, Peter and James, as is expressed in Gal. 1:18, 19, for, it seems that at that time the other apostles were departed from Jerusalem for a while to preach the Gospel elsewhere, who afterwards were again at Jerusalem in greater number together, Acts 15:6; Gal. 2:9.

28And he was with them 36coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

36 Namely, socially and daily abiding with them. Hebraism.

29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against 37the Grecians:r but they went about to slay him.

37 That is, who used the Greek tongue and translation of the Bible. See Acts 6:1, 9.

r Greek-speaking Jews*

30Which when 38the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

38 Thus the faithful are called because they lived in love with one another as brethren, having one Father in heaven, and one eldest brother Jesus Christ, and expecting one inheritance by one Spirit.

31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

32¶And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout 39all quarters, he came down also 40to the saints which dwelt at 41Lydda.

39 Gr. through all, namely, places, that is, lands, mentioned in the 31st verse, to visit and to strengthen the churches which were of the circumcision, Gal. 2:7, 9.

40 That is, the faithful Christians.

41 See verse 35.

33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept 42his bed eight years, and was sick of the 43palsy.

42 Gr. krabbaton; that is, on a little bed.

43 Or, lame, or struck.

34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and 44make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

44 That is, make up the bed, and make it ready, for a sign of being perfectly cured.

35And all that dwelt 45at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

45 Lydda was a city, situated in Palestine in the region Sarona or Sharon, as it is called in Isa. 35:2 and 65:10 and 1 Chron. 27:29; a fat and well inhabited land, stretching along the Mediterranean Sea from Cæsarea unto Joppa.

36¶Now there was at 46Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, 47which by interpretation is called 48Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

46 This was and still is a famous port in Palestine at the Mediterranean Sea, heretofore called Joppa, where Jonah took ship, when he fled from the Lord, Jonah 1:3; where those, who travel out of Europe to Jerusalem, commonly arrive, situated about a day’s journey from there on cliffs, from where one is able to see Jerusalem.

47 Namely, the word Tabitha when it is translated into Greek.

48 That is, a doe, roe, or goat.

37And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they 49had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

49 Namely, according to the manner of the ancients, who, it seems, would thereby give to understand their hope of the resurrection from the dead.

38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him 50two men, desiring him 51that he would not delay to come to them.

50 Namely, either the better to comfort the poor widows concerning this death, or else in hope that he would raise her up again.

51 Gr. forbear, that is, that it might not be grievous to him.

39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40But Peter put 52them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

52 Namely, that he might be able to pray the more earnestly, as Elisha, 2 Kings 4:33, which prayer served for this, that he might show that this work must be done not by his power, but by the power of God, Acts 3:12, 13.

41And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called 53the saints and widows, presented her alive.

53 That is, the disciples or believers, who were there about; who are so called, because they, being sanctified by Christ’s blood and Spirit, led a holy life throughout. See verse 32.

42And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.