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Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Henry on Saul - His name in Hebrew was Saul-desired, though as remarkably little in stature (NO ACTUAL RECORD IN SCRIPTURE) as his namesake king Saul was tall and stately; one of the ancients calls him, Homo tricubitalis-but four feet and a half in height; his Roman name which he went by among the citizens of Rome was Paul-little. He was born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, a free city of the Romans, and himself a freeman of that city. His father and mother were both native Jews; therefore he calls himself a Hebrew of the Hebrews; he was of the tribe of Benjamin, which adhered to Judah. His education was in the schools of Tarsus first, which was a little Athens for learning; there he acquainted himself with the philosophy and poetry of the Greeks. Thence he was sent to the university at Jerusalem, to study divinity and the Jewish law. His tutor was Gamaliel, an eminent Pharisee. He had extraordinary natural parts, and improved mightily in learning....This is the young man on whom the grace of God wrought this mighty change here recorded, about a year after the ascension of Christ (APPROXIMATION), or little more. Note that the word translated Saul in Acts 9:1 is NOT the same word translated Saul in Acts 9:4 - see note there for explanation. Saulos - 15x in 15v - Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1; Acts 8:3; Acts 9:1; Acts 9:8; Acts 9:11; Acts 9:22; Acts 9:24; Acts 11:25; Acts 11:30; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1; Acts 13:2; Acts 13:7; Acts 13:9 Steven Ger gives an excellent background on Saul - His Hebrew name, Saul, reflects the pride of his family in the most illustrious historical member of their tribe of Benjamin, the first king of Israel. He also was given a Roman, or Latin, name, Paulus. Although it was common custom for Romans to be granted three names, the custom among Jews of the Roman Empire seems to have been to assign only two names (from Simon Legasse, "Paul's Pre-Christian Career According to Acts," in Richard Bauckham, ed., The Book of Acts in its First Century Setting, vol. 4: Palestinian Setting). Growing up in cosmopolitan Tarsus, Saul was probably conversant with Greek since childhood, but probably spoke either Hebrew or Aramaic in his home. Considering his upbringing in Tarsus and Jerusalem, his formal education, and judging from his epistles, it is clear that Saul was comfortably conversant in Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and perhaps even Latin. Saul, of course, was a fervent member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of Judaism, and it is probable that Saul's father shared that affiliation. The Mishnah provides some indication of the rigorous education Jewish children (or at least, the children of Pharisees) received.[Mishnah, Avot 5:21] At the age of five, Jewish boys began their formal study of the Hebrew Scripture; being educated not only in the content, but also in the prescribed rules of biblical interpretation. At the age of ten, Jewish boys added the study of Pharisaic, or rabbinic, legal traditions. It is probable that it was at this age that Saul was sent to Jerusalem to study "at the feet of" Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), where he may have lived with family members (Saul's sister lived in Jerusalem and his family was apparently politically well connected in Jerusalem, as his nephew is able to learn of the assassination plot against Saul in Acts 23:16). At the age of thirteen, Saul would become Bar Mitzvah, a "son of the commandment," which was formal recognition that he was a full-fledged, responsible participant in the Jewish community. It was in Jerusalem that Saul, like all rabbinic students, would also have been trained in a manual trade, in his particular case, that of tentmaking, although it is still debated as to whether this specifically involved working with textiles, leather or goatskin. (Twenty-First Century Commentary-Acts) A T
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Henry - The high priest needed not to be stirred up to persecute the Christians, he was forward enough to do it but it seems the young persecutor drove more furiously than the old one. Leaders in sin are the worst of sinners and the proselytes which the scribes and Pharisees make often prove seven times more the children of hell than themselves. (Commentary) Steven Ger adds that "A treaty had been established between Rome and Judea in the intertestamental period which effectively extended the high priest's authority in Jewish communities throughout the Roman Empire (1 Macc. 15:20-24), including the right of extradition....The letters from the high priest gave Saul jurisdiction over the Jews of Damascus and authority to arrest the Christian "heretics," both men and women alike, and transfer them back to Jerusalem for interrogation and trial. (Twenty-First Century Commentary-Acts)
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Henry - Perhaps the Christians sometimes called themselves (THE WAY), from Christ the Way or, because they looked on themselves as but on the way, and not yet at home. NET Note - The expression “the way” in ancient religious literature refers at times to “the whole way of life fr. a moral and spiritual viewpoint” (BDAG 692 s.v. ὁδός 3.c), and it has been so used of Christianity and its teachings in the book of Acts (see also 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). It is a variation of Judaism’s idea of two ways, the true and the false, where “the Way” is the true one (1 En. 91:18 = "And now I tell you, my children, and I show you the paths of righteousness and the paths of violence"; 2 En. 30:15 = "I pointed out to him the two ways— light and darkness"). Steven Ger on the Way - This was a common name for the early church, probably short for "the way of Messiah" and perhaps based on Scripture passages which describe "the way of the righteous" (Ps. 1:6) and "the way of the Lord" (Isa. 40:3; Luke 3:4). (Twenty-First Century Commentary-Acts) Did you notice the four names Luke used for believers in Acts 9? Disciples (Acts 9:1, 10, 19, 25, 26, 36, 38) The Way (Acts 9:2) Saints (Acts 9:13, 32, 41) - first time they are called "saints" in Acts (cf Acts 26:10). Brother (Acts 9:17) Both men and women - Saul was a fanatic without compassion! Luke specifically mentions men and women three times (Acts 8:3, 9:2, 22:4). In Acts 22:4 Paul says "“I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons." This demonstrates the depth of Saul's heartless cruelty, caring little if he ripped fathers and mothers away from their children! His intense hatred of Jesus and His followers so distorted his thinking that he was able to justify any suffering that might be inflicted on the disciples of Jesus and in turn on their children! This is the man Jesus choose to be His instrument to spread good news! No one is so far removed that the "long arm of the Lord" cannot reel them in! (Play great old Wayne Watson song "The Long Arm of the Lord") Keep praying for those lost friends and relatives stuck deeply in the miry pit of sin. My parents prayed for me for 20 years until the "Hound of heaven" stopped me cold at age 39 and then opened my eyes to the Gospel, using a study in the Minor Prophets to show me that Jesus was the Messiah and Redeemer. He might bring them bound to Jerusalem - The letters from the Sanhedrin gave him the right to bind them and bring them back to Jerusalem. That is "bring them as prisoners," which Robertson characterizes as "in a state of sheer helplessness. " (Acts 9 Commentary) Acts 22:4 “I persecuted this Way to the death (ED: ACTUAL EXECUTION!), binding and putting both men and women into prisons. Acts 26:10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them (ED: THIS SUGGESTS THAT SAUL WAS A MEMBER OF THE SANHEDRIN. WHILE SAUL DID NOT PERSONALLY MURDER THE CHRISTIANS, HE CLEARLY WAS GUILTY AS AN "ACCOMPLICE."). The Long Arm of the Lord Wayne Watson A million dark alleys you can hide in Dig a tunnel to the center of the earth Convinced you've got nobody to confide in Got you questioning the sum of what you're worth People label you the black sheep of the family Come collect upon your prodigal reward 'Cause you can never outrun Or go beyond the reaches Of the long arm of the Lord I've been ashamed--I've been humbled and forgiven I've been chastened by my Father's loving hand But still, at times, I go on with my evil It seems to constitute the nature of a man But forgiveness is as close as my confession And my sin amputated by His sword 'Cause you can never outrun Or go beyond the reaches Of the long arm of the Lord If He gave to me all that I deserve This could be my final breath But with compassion in His eyes He's drawing me home Into His arms--Into His tender arms of rest There are pagans at the corners of creation Making light of the salvation that we know And with a small, narrow mind I give them over To the passion of the Godless seed they sow But, in truth, we have just as much potential To be Godly and perfected by the Word My capacity for creative sin is never extended Past God's capacity for restoration. Acts 9:3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: As he was traveling Acts 9:17; 22:6; 26:12,13; 1 Cor 15:8 a light from heaven flashed around him Ps 104:2; 1 Ti 6:16; Rev 21:23; 22:5 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry REVELATION ON THE ROAD: THE RADIANT REDEEMER As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus - Jerusalem to Damascus is about 150-175 miles and at 30 miles a day they must have been on the road for 5-6 days (since at this time Saul was near Damascus). Notice also that by this time (we don't know how long after the persecution of Acts 8:1), the Gospel had spread to Syria, probably having been carried there by the believers who fled the persecution of Jerusalem. And since Damascus was a major city and on the renowned King's Highway, it would have been a strategic center from which those believing Jews who had fled Jerusalem could have spread the Gospel. And somehow Saul got wind of these disciples of Jesus in Damascus and sought to eradicate what he considered to be a pernicious "contagion" which could conceivably corrupt the purity of Judaism. As an aside, assuming Saul went straight north, he would have gone through Samaria, where he would have encountered Samaritans radically transformed by the Gospel preached by the Hellenistic Jew Philip the evangelist and this would have undoubtedly stirred his rage against Christians even more! Luke tells us about the timing of this event in Acts 26:13 "at midday, (Acts 22:6 "about noontime") O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me." The interesting point is that generally unless a traveler was in a desperate hurry he would rest during the midday when the sun would be the most intense. That fact that he was traveling at midday emphasizes the zeal with which he was pursuing his task, driving himself on his mission of persecution. It is interesting that the sun was highest in the heavens at the very time he encountered the Son Who is highest in the heavens! As he was traveling, it happened - God is sovereign, so in truth nothing that occurs in our life just "happens to happen!" God is in control (See Providence of God). Approaching (drew near - present tense) (1448)(eggizo) means he was coming close to Damascus. How close? We cannot say, but given the fact that he was soon to be blinded one would reason that he was within less than a day's journey. Saul was near his journey's end in more ways than one! Damascus - Damascus lays claim to being the oldest continually inhabited city in the world (see history), Biblical records going back to the time of Abram (Ge 14:15, 15:2) and it is mentioned 45x in 40 Old Testament verses, frequently as either an ally or enemy to either kings of Israel or Judah (cf 2 Sa 8:5-6; 1 Ki 11:24, 15:18, 19:15, 20:34; 2 Ki 5:12; 8:7, 9; 14:28, 16:9-12, etc). Damascus was on the famous King's Highway which connected to Egypt in the South (pix). At this time it was the capital of the Roman Province of Syria. Damascus - 15x in NT - Acts 9:2; Acts 9:3; Acts 9:8; Acts 9:10; Acts 9:19; Acts 9:22; Acts 9:27; Acts 22:5; Acts 22:6; Acts 22:10; Acts 22:11; Acts 26:12; Acts 26:20; 2 Co. 11:32; Gal. 1:17 Related Resources: American Tract Society Damascus Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Damascus Easton's Bible Dictionary Damascus Fausset Bible Dictionary Damascus Holman Bible Dictionary Damascus Hitchcock Bible Names Damascus Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Damascus 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Damascus International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Damascus Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Damascus McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Damascus The Jewish Encyclopedia Damascus After his Damascus road conversion Paul says he first returns to Damascus after his time in the Arabian desert But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. (Gal 1:15-17+) Longenecker on Damascus - Damascus was a large and thriving commercial center at the foot of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. Since 64 B.C. it had been part of the Roman province of Syria and was granted certain civic rights by Rome as one of the ten cities of eastern Syria and the Transjordan called the Decapolis (cf. Mt 4:25, Mk 5:20; 7:31). It had a large Nabatean Arab population (see Nabatean Kingdom), and possibly was ruled by the Nabatean king Aretas IV (9 B.C.–A.D. 40) at some time during this period (cf. 2 Cor 11:32 = " In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king"). It also had a large Jewish population, 10,500 of whom Josephus reports were killed by the people of Damascus at the outbreak of Jewish-Roman hostilities in A.D. 66 (cf. Josephus Wars 2.20.2; though in Josephus Wars 7.8.7 the figure is 18,000). (EBC) John
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Henry - Some think, in calling him Saul, he hints at that great persecutor of David whose name he bore. He was indeed a second Saul, and such an enemy to the Son of David as the other was to David. Calling him by his name intimates the particular regard that Christ had to him: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me, Isaiah 45:4. See Exodus 33:12. His calling him by name brought the conviction home to his conscience, and put it past dispute to whom the voice spoke this. What God speaks in general is then likely to do us good when we apply it to ourselves, and insert our own names into the precepts and promises which are expressed generally, as if God spoke to us by name, and when he saith, Ho, every one (Isa 55:1), he had said, Ho, such a one: Samuel, Samuel Saul, Saul. The doubling of it, Saul, Saul, intimates, First, The deep sleep that Saul was in, he needed to be called again and again, as Jeremiah 22:29, "O land, land, land." Secondly, The tender concern that the blessed Jesus had for him, and for his recovery. He speaks as one in earnest it is like Martha, Martha (Luke 10:41), or Simon, Simon (Luke 22:31), or O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Matthew 23:37. He speaks to him as to one in imminent danger, at the pit's brink, and just ready to drop in: "Saul, Saul, dost thou know whither thou art going, or what thou art doing?" Saul (4549)(Saoul) is transliterated from the Hebrew Shaʾūl (07586). This Hebrew name corresponds to the Greek rendering of the same name which is Saulos (4569)(See above). It means asked, desired. This Hebrew form of Saul is used by Jesus in all three versions of Paul's encounter - Acts 22:7; Acts 26:14. It is used once for King Saul of the Old Testament (Acts 13:21). The use of this Hebrew version indicates that Jesus was speaking in Hebrew to Saul (cf Acts 26:14). Saoul is used 6x all in Acts - Acts 9:4; Acts 9:17; Acts 13:21; Acts 22:7; Acts 22:13; Acts 26:14 Steven Ger helps us understand what Luke used this Hebrew version of the name Saul rather than the Greek version - That the voice spoke Hebrew (or less likely, Aramaic) is made apparent through the change of Saul's name in form from the usual Greek Saulos, (used Acts 9:1) to the transliteration of the Hebrew, Saoul (there is no way to transliterate the "sh" sound of the actual pronunciation of Shaoul in Greek). This particular detail of the Hebrew pronunciation of Saul's name is repeated in the two later accounts of this encounter (Acts 22:7; 26:14). (Restraint will be exercised concerning any claim that this passage furnishes proof that God's lingua franca is Hebrew!) If the light had not already gotten Saul's attention, the Lord ensures it by calling Saul's name twice, following a previous pattern of heavenly address found throughout Scripture (Gen. 22:11; Ge 46:2; Ex. 3:4; 1 Sam. 3:10). (Twenty-First Century Commentary-Acts) PERSECUTING THE CHURCH IS PERSECUTING JESUS! Why are you persecuting Me? - Jesus directs his accusation directly at Saul, not at the high priests, etc. As noted in the title, to persecute the Church, the Body of Christ, is tantamount to persecuting Christ, the Head of the Body. Believers are in covenant (new covenant) with Jesus, and as such are one with Him and identified with Him. Furthermore, because of this covenant, Jesus is our "Covenant Defender." And because of the New Covenant in His blood, Jesus is obligated to defend those in covenant with Him. ONENESS OF COVENANT - Two become one when they enter into covenant (cf marriage covenant - Ge 2:24). If you "touch" (eg, to harm or injure) the covenant partner (AS SAUL WAS RAVAGING AND "TOUCHING" COVENANT PARTNERS OF CHRIST), you are "touching" the other partner (JESUS) also because of the bond of covenant producing a somewhat mysterious, but very real identification! Based upon the solemn and binding nature of the New Covenant, Jesus is "obligated" to come to the defense of His covenant partners. Can you begin to understand some of the practical implications of being in the new covenant with Christ? Do you believe that He is your Protector? If you are born again, you can rest assured that Jesus is your Covenant Defender today and forever. Hallelujah! All believers are in Covenant with the living God, Who is our Protector. We are not to take our vengeance beloved but leave that to our Covenant Partner who is our Avenger. Of course, this truth does not guarantee we will never be harmed or never experience times of persecution. In fact, persecution is one of God's "promises"! (2Ti 3:12-note, cp Mt 10:22, 23, 24, 25, Jn 15:19, 20, 21, 17:14, Acts 14:22, Php 1:29-note). But the oneness of covenant guarantees that God will avenge wrongs done to us either in this life or in the life to come! You can stake your life on this truth! We see this same principle at the judgment of the nations, the sheep and goats... “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ (Mt 25:45, cf Mt 25:40, 10:40) Swindoll - Collectively, we the church are the visible representation of Jesus Christ in the world! To persecute the church is to assault the Son of God. Related Resource: Voice of the Martyrs - the church is still being persecuted Persecuting (1377)(dioko) means literally to make haste, moving rapidly and decisively toward an objective (and in a sense this describes Saul's zealous pursuit of Christians). More to the point in the case of Saul it describes (especially in the present tense) Saul's continued efforts to harass men and women because of their belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Acts 22:4 Paul described the depth of his persecution declaring "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons." (Acts 22:4) Dioko in Acts - Acts 7:52; Acts 9:4; Acts 9:5; Acts 22:4; Acts 22:7; Acts 22:8; Acts 26:11; Acts 26:14; Acts 26:15 Toussaint on persecuting Me - The reference to “Me” gave Saul his first glimpse into the great doctrine of Christians being in Christ. Marty has an interesting thought on persecuting Me writing that "Though the idea was probably not in Paul’s mind at the time, it is possible this revelation was the origin of Paul’s favorite theological metaphor for the church, “the body of Christ” (cf. Eph 1:22–23; Col 1:18)." (Borrow Moody Bible Commentary page 1692) Matthew Henry - First, Before Saul was made a saint, he was made to see himself a sinner, a great sinner, a sinner against Christ. Now he was made to see that evil in himself which he never saw before sin revived and he died. Note, A humbling conviction of sin is the first step towards a saving conversion from sin. (ED: SO MUCH FOR "EASY BELIEVISM!") Secondly, He is convinced of one particular sin, which he was most notoriously guilty of, and had justified himself in, and thereby way is made for his conviction of all the rest. Thirdly, The sin he is convinced of is persecution: Why persecutest thou me? It is a very affectionate expostulation, enough to melt a heart of stone. J
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Henry comments "Convictions of sin, when they are set home with power upon the conscience, will silence all excuses and self-justifications....Christ brings souls into fellowship with Himself by manifesting Himself to them." And He said,"I am (ego eimi) Jesus whom you are persecuting - For just a moment put yourself in Saul's sandals and imagine you thoughts as you hear that the One you have been persecuting is the risen God! Yes, Saul had been struck by a bright light, but this revelation coming from Jesus in that light would have been like a "lightning bolt" or like a "dagger" cutting into Saul's heart! In a moment, you discover that all you have devoted your life to accomplish has been a total waste! Beloved, there are many successful, wealthy people who will one day have a similar experience, but sadly it will be too late for most because their discovery will come after they take their last breath! However, this principle applies to believers also -- Stop and ask yourself - What am I working for? For time or for eternity? For the earthly or the heavenly? For the material or the spiritual? For the profane or the profound? For what passes away or what lasts always? Perhaps you need a "Damascus Road Revival," so that you might realign your life priorities while you still have time! Don't be a "Saul," instead be "Paul!" Notice that Christ uses His earthly name Jesus which the angelic messenger had given to Joseph, Matthew recording “She (MARY) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (NOTICE HOW THIS LAST CLAUSE EXPLAINS THE MEANING OF HIS NAME!).” (Mt 1:21) Jesus was the Name that spoke of Christ's willing humiliation in emptying Himself to become a Man (Php 2:5-10+). "He would show that now that He is in His glory He is not ashamed of His humiliation." (Matthew Henry) In Acts 22:8 Jesus declares ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ Notice this Name is used as a Name of scorn and derision and one which Saul was undoubtedly familiar and likely himself had used to blaspheme God! "There is nothing more effectual to awaken and humble the soul than to see sin to be against Christ, an affront to Him, and a contradiction to His designs." (Henry) Do you really comprehend that your sins are against God the Father, His Son and His Spirit (cp Eph 4:30+)? (cf Joseph's sensitive conscience in Ge 39:9) Longenecker - Saul could not escape the fact that the Jesus whose followers he had been persecuting was alive, exalted, and in some manner to be associated with God the Father, whom Israel worshiped. He, therefore, had to revise his whole estimate of the life, teaching, and death of the Nazarene because God had beyond any question vindicated him. Thus he came to agree with the Christians that Jesus’ death on the cross, rather than discrediting him as an impostor, fulfilled prophecy and was really God’s provision for man’s sin and that Jesus’ resurrection confirmed him as being the nation’s Messiah and mankind’s Lord. (Expositor's Bible Commentary) Jesus (2424)(Iesous) is transliteration of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew Jehoshua (Yehoshua) or Jeshua (Yeshua) both of which mean Jehovah is help or Jehovah is salvation. Stated another way the Greek Iesous corresponds to the OT Jehoshua (Yehoshua) which is contracted as Jeshua (Yeshua). In the Gospels the single Name Jesus (Iesous) is used as His personal Name some 538 times. Imagine Saul's thoughts upon hearing those words "I am Jesus!" While we have no record that Saul ever saw or met Jesus during Jesus' earthly ministry, there is not doubt that he was well aware of the claim by His disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead. Now the fact that He is speaking to Saul indicates that Jesus was indeed alive and by implication had risen from the dead. Saul's systematic theology was turned upside down in a moment! However, one aspect of his theology was affirmed and that was his belief (which all Pharisees held) that there would be a resurrection! Jesus was alive! Jesus had alluded to the oneness between Jesus and His followers in Luke declaring “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16+) Paul clearly understood this concept of oneness between Jesus and His followers as indicated by his numerous allusions to unity with Christ in his epistles. Read Ro. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-16; 5:23-30; Col. 1:18-24; 2:19). You can mark it down that those who speak against Christians speak against Christ. Those who strike Christians strike Christ. Those who malign Christians malign Christ. Those who take advantage of Christians take advantage of Christ. This begs the question, even if you are a believer, have you ever done any of those things to another believer? Persecuting (cf use in Acts 22:4, 7, 26:11-15, 1 Cor 15:9+)(1377)(see dioko) in the present tense describes Saul's continued ravaging of the disciples of Jesus. What a change the Gospel and the indwelling Spirit brought about on Saul who later used dioko writing "So then we pursue (dioko) the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." (Ro 14:19+). This was the antithesis of Saul's pursuit prior to conversion (cf Paul's pursuit in Php 3:12, 14+)! The righteous God pursued the unrighteous pursuer and won him with the Gospel. O, thank God for the transforming power of the glorious Gospel! A T
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Henry comments "Thus those who came to this place to be the instruments of Paul's rage against the Church (will in effect now) serve as witnesses of the power of God over him." One can just imagine the story these men would give the high priest and Sanhedrin when they returned to Jerusalem! You would think these religious leaders had seen sufficient supernatural signs clearly pointing to the hand of God and that this would shake them to their senses. But when men are hardened to the Gospel, only the Spirit can break through their calloused hearts, not supernatural signs and wonders. Everett Harrison relates to story of Polycarp's martyrdom - Now when Polycarp entered into the arena there came a voice from heaven: “Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.” And no one saw the speaker, but our friends who were there heard the voice. Hearing the voice but seeing no one - This is a parallel with their seeing the light but seeing nothing of Jesus in all His glory. While they were hearing the voice, they did not understand what the voice was saying. Toussaint explains what some have described as a discrepancy between Acts 9:7 (hearing the voice = Greek phone) and Acts 22:9 (did not understand the voice = Greek phone) -- Literally, that clause in Acts 22:9 may be translated, “They did not hear the sound.” The NIV correctly translates the verse, because the verb “to hear” with the genitive case may mean “to hear a sound” and with the accusative case “to hear with understanding.” The genitive case is employed in Acts 9:7, and the accusative is used in Acts 22:9. So the travelers with Saul heard the sound (Acts 9:7) but did not understand what Christ said (Acts 22:9). (See Bible Knowledge Commentary) The description of reaction of Saul's companions reminds us of John's description in John 12:29 So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it (Read Jn 12:28) were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” The point is clear that only Saul was able to see Jesus and hear His words clearly articulated. In this story of Saul, it is clear that Christ laid hold of him, before he laid hold of Christ. Saul was not seeking Jesus (cf Paul's own teaching in Ro 3:11), but Jesus was seeking him. Paul was seeking to arrest followers of Jesus, but was himself arrested to become a follower of Jesus! As Paul would later so eloquently phrase it "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" (Ro 11:33+) C S Lewis had a number of metaphors that describe God seeking after those who are not seeking after Him "‘the great Angler’ playing a fish, a cat chasing a mouse, a pack of hounds closing in on a fox, a chess player moving in to the ultimate ‘checkmate.’ ” (Surprised by Joy) As the poet so aptly put it... 'Tis not that I dids't choose Thee, O Lord, that could not be! This heart had still refused Thee Had Thou not chosen me. 'Twas the same Love that spread the feast That sweetly forced me in; Else I had still refused to taste And perished in my sin. Acts 9:8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:8 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. he could see nothing Acts 9:18; 13:11; 22:11; Ge 19:11; Exodus 4:11; 2 Ki 6:17-20 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry BLINDED BY THE LIGHT OF JESUS Saul got up from the ground - In obedience to Jesus' command to get up (Acts 9:6+). Saul's state was probably much like that of Daniel when he saw a supernatural vision in Daniel 10:16-17+. You might be asking when was Saul converted? Since the Bible does not state the year, any number is an approximation, but that said, his conversion occurred around 33 A D. He would have been about 32 years old in the flesh, when he was born again from above. Jesus stated in John 3:3 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Saul was sovereignly granted spiritual eyesight to see and understand the Kingdom of God. Saul became "a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Cor 5:17) God's Spirit took Saul out of Adam and placed him in Christ (cf 1 Cor 15:22). He even received (as shown in later chapters) the new name of Paul which means little. A T