The Damascus Road
Passage: Acts 9:1-19
Saul was arresting followers of 'the Way'.
Overview
On the way to Damascus a light flashed and Jesus spoke: 'Saul, why persecutest thou me?' Blinded, Saul was healed through Ananias and became a chosen instrument.
Going deeper
To persecute the church is to persecute Jesus (v4). Ananias' obedience matters as much as Saul's vision. Acts tells the story three times (9, 22, 26).
Key verses (KJV)
- Acts 9:4 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
- Acts 9:15 He is a chosen vessel unto me.
From the commentaries
4-6. he fell to the earth—and his companions with him (Ac 26:14), who "saw the light" (Ac 22:9). and heard a voice saying unto him—"in the Hebrew tongue" (Ac 26:14). Saul, Saul—a reduplication full of tenderness [De Wette]. Though his name was soon changed into "Paul," we find him, in both his own narratives of the scene, after the lapse of so many years, retaining the original form, as not daring to alter, in the smallest detail, the overpowering words addressed to him. why persecutest thou me?—No language can express the affecting character of this question, addressed from the right hand of the Majesty on high to an infuriated, persecuting mortal. (See Mt 25:45, and that whole judgment sce
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
Verse 4 And he fell to the earth - Being struck down with the lightning: many persons suppose he was on horseback, and painters thus represent him; but this is utterly without foundation. Painters are, in almost every case, wretched commentators.
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)
4. And therefore Luke saith that he fell to the ground. For what other thing can befall man, but that he must lie prostrate and be, as it were, brought to nothing, when he is overwhelmed with the present feeling of God’s glory? And this was the first beginning of the bringing down of Paul, that he might become apt to hear the voice of Christ, which he had despised so long as he sat haughtily upon his horse. Saul, Saul! Luke compared the light which shined round about Paul to lightning, though I do not doubt but that lightnings did fly in the air. ...
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)
Verse 4. And he fell to the earth. He was astonished and overcome by the sudden flash of light. There is a remarkable similarity between what occurred here, and what is recorded of Daniel in regard to the visions which he saw, Da 8:17. Also Da 10:8, "Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision; and there remained no strength in me, for my comeliness (vigour) was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength." The effect was such as to overpower the body. And heard a voice. The whole company heard a voice, Ac 9:7, but did not distinguish it as addressed particularly to Saul. He heard it speaking to himself. Saying unto him, etc. This shows that it was not thunder, as many have
Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (1834-1885)
Application
- Who is your Ananias?
- Who do you think is beyond God's reach?
- How did Jesus identify with his church?