Who was Saul and why was he going to Damascus?

Saul was a strict Jew who hated the followers of Jesus. He thought he was serving God by trying to wipe out this new group. He went to the high priest to get letters so he could arrest believers in Damascus and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. He was not just mildly opposed; the passage says he was breathing out threats and murder. His whole purpose on that trip was to hunt down men and women who belonged to “the way,” the early name for the followers of Jesus.

What happened when Jesus met Saul on the road?

As Saul neared Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly shone around him, brighter than the sun. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” When Saul asked who was speaking, the answer was, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” Jesus told him it was hard for him to kick against the pricks, like an animal hurting itself by fighting the goad. Saul was left blind and had to be led into the city, where he spent three days without sight, food, or drink, praying.

What does “why persecutest thou me” teach about Jesus and his people?

When Jesus asks Saul, “Why persecutest thou me?” he shows how closely he is joined to his people. Saul had been attacking the disciples, not Jesus in person, yet Jesus speaks as if the harm done to them was done to him. This tells us that Jesus so identifies with his church that their sufferings are his sufferings. It comforts believers by reminding them that when they are hurt for his name, he is not distant or uncaring, but counts those blows as against himself and will deal with them.

Why did Jesus send Ananias to Saul even though Saul was dangerous?

Ananias had heard how much evil Saul had done to the believers in Jerusalem and knew Saul had authority to arrest anyone who called on Jesus’ name. So he was afraid and questioned going to him. But the Lord told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel to carry his name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, and that Saul would suffer much for that name. Ananias obeyed, went to Saul, called him “Brother Saul,” laid his hands on him, and God used him so Saul received his sight and the Holy Spirit. This shows God can change anyone and often works through ordinary disciples.

What is meant by Saul being a “chosen vessel” who must suffer?

When the Lord calls Saul a “chosen vessel,” it means Saul was picked out for a special task. He was to carry Jesus’ name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. This calling was not just about honor; it also included hardship. Jesus said he would show Saul how many things he must suffer for his name’s sake. So Saul’s future service and his sufferings were both part of God’s plan. His past as a persecutor would be turned around so that he became a preacher who would himself be persecuted for the same name he once tried to destroy.

How did Saul change after his sight was restored?

After Ananias prayed, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He was baptized, took food, and regained his strength. Instead of hunting believers, he stayed with the disciples in Damascus. Right away he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. People were shocked, because they knew his old reputation as the one who destroyed those who called on Jesus’ name. Over time he grew stronger in understanding and speech, using the Scriptures to show that Jesus is the Christ, which confused those who opposed him.

Why did the Jews in Damascus and Jerusalem try to kill Saul?

The Jews in Damascus and later in Jerusalem planned to kill Saul because he now preached the very message he once fought. He proved from Scripture that Jesus is the Christ, and many could not answer him. This stirred deep anger. In Damascus they watched the city gates day and night to catch him, so the disciples lowered him in a basket through the wall. In Jerusalem, when he spoke boldly in Jesus’ name and argued with Greek-speaking Jews, they also tried to kill him. The believers then helped him escape to Caesarea and sent him on to Tarsus.

What is the story of Peter, Aeneas, and Tabitha in this passage?

While Saul’s story unfolds, Peter is also traveling among the believers. In Lydda he meets Aeneas, who has been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter says, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed,” and he is healed at once. Many in Lydda and Saron see this and turn to the Lord. Nearby in Joppa, a disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas), known for her good works and gifts to the poor, dies. Peter is called, prays beside her body, and says, “Tabitha, arise.” She opens her eyes and sits up, and many in Joppa believe in the Lord when they hear what happened.

What does this passage teach about God’s grace and power to change people?

This passage shows that God’s grace can reach the person who seems farthest away. Saul was hunting believers, yet Jesus stopped him, showed him his sin, and made him into a servant and witness. The same Lord who humbled Saul also lifted up the weak and hopeless through Peter’s ministry to Aeneas and Tabitha. A persecutor becomes a preacher, a paralyzed man walks, and a dead woman is raised. It all points to God acting first, not people fixing themselves. That gives hope that God can still open blind eyes, forgive deep sin, and bring new life where there seemed to be none.

Acts.9.1

Acts 9:1

KJV

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

The Road to Damascus

The Conversion of Saul

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

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

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

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

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

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

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

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.

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

Ananias Baptizes Saul

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

And 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, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

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

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

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

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

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

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

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

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

Saul Preaches at Damascus

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

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

But 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?

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

The Escape from Damascus

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

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

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

Saul in Jerusalem

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

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the 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.

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

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

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

The Healing of Aeneas

Then 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.

Peter’s Ministry

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

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

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

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

The Raising of Tabitha

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

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

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

Then 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.

But Peter put them 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.

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

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

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

Cross References

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