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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER NINE:
SAUL, BARNABAS, AND PETER

[“A Light From Heaven”]
Key word: Master?

Acts 9:1-9 – Saul’s Calling

AC9:1 Now Saul, still breathing threat of execution 362 to the disciples of the Master, 363 approached the high priest

362	Breathing threat of execution: slaughter, murderous threats, threat of destruction. Saul has turned into the most serious threat to the Church. As a Jew what he could not counteract with logic and reason, he began to physically attack.

363	The disciples of the Master: Up to now the only designation for the followers of Jesus as been simply “disciples” or Saints.

AC9:2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he discovered someone belonging to the Way, 364 whether men or women, he should put them in custody and take them to Jerusalem.

364	The Way: The Greek is TES HODOU and become the first real name for the Church. [Acts 9:14; 11:26; 22:4; 24:14]

AC9:3 Now, it came about that as he was traveling near Damascus, 365 suddenly a heavenly light shone around him. 366

365	Damascus: An ancient city bordering the Arabian-Syrian desert with a view of 9,232 foot Mount Hermon. It was about 200 miles north of Jerusalem.

366	A heavenly light shone around him: Or, TCN: the sky flashed all round him. This is the sum of what Saul sees with his eyes. The experience is retold by Paul himself at Acts 22:6; 26:13. In the other accounts this is “a great light” or “a light beyond the sun.”

AC9:4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 367

367	Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me: In the other accounts by Paul this voice is in Hebrew. For more details compare the account in Acts 26:12-18.

AC9:5 Saul answered: “Who are you, sir?” 368 And, [the voice] said: “I am Jesus, 369 the One you are persecuting. 370

368	Who are you, sir: Saul does know who this is but addresses the voice respectfully with what amounts to Sir or Senor. [GDS]

369	I am Jesus: In the other account this is “Jesus the Nazarene.”

370	The One you are persecuting: Compare Matthew 25:40.

AC9:6 Now get up and enter into the city and it will be told to you what you must do.” AC9:7 Now the men traveling with Saul stood by speechless, because though hearing the voice they saw no one. 371

371	Because though hearing the voice they saw no one: Paul’s lengthier account in Acts 26 states the men did not hear the voice, likely meaning they did not understand what was said.

AC9:8 Then Saul rose from the ground and though his eyes were opened he could see nothing. Those with him led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. AC9:9 So for three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank.

Acts 9:10-19a – The Master Appears to Ananias

AC9:10 Now in Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias, 372 and the Master spoke to him in a vision, saying: “Ananias!” Ananias said: “Look, I am here, Master!”

372	Ananias: A disciple with the same name as the man who lied to the holy Pneuma.

AC9:11 And the Master said: “Rise, go to the street called Straight and seek in the house of the person called Judas for a man named Saul of Tarsus. 373 For, behold, he is praying 374

373	Saul of Tarsus: The first time Saul’s place of origin is mentioned. It is near the coast of Turkey in sight of the island of Cyprus.

374	He is praying: We can imagine the intensity of his prayers, given his background and his current actions against the Church. Likely for three days, fasting and not drinking, he carried on such prayers.

AC9:12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias. And after you go in, lay your hands on him 375 so that he might see again.”

375	Lay your hands on him: An official action by an authorized person. [Hebrews 6:1]

AC9:13 But Ananias responded: “Master, I have heard from many about this man, 376 how many evil things he has done to the Saints in Jerusalem.

376	I have heard from many about this man: What Saul has been doing has spread among the Nazarene community. He is considered a dangerous man.

AC9:14 And now he has this authority from the chief priests 377 to arrest all those calling upon your name.”

377	Authority from the chief priests: The Jewish hierarchy is guilty of the early persecution of people who have changed their religious beliefs. An interesting irony of history.

AC9:15 Now the Master aid to him: “Go, for this person is a chosen instrument to me 378 – to carry my name before non-Jews and kings as well as the sons of Israel. 379

378	A chosen instrument to me: Or, vessel. In Acts 26:16 the Master calls Paul “as an attendant and a witness.”

379	Non-Jews and kings as well as the sons of Israel: The account in Acts reports on how this came to be true.

AC9:16 For I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf on my name.” 380

380	How much he must suffer in behalf on my name: For a sampling consider 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 as a record of those things that Paul had experienced up to his epistles to Corinth. He was to endure considerably more until his beheading about the year 66 AD.

AC9:17 Then Ananias left and entered into the house, and after laying his hands on Saul, he said: “Brother Saul, 381 the Master has sent me, Jesus, the One who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, in order that you may see again and may then be filled with holy Pneuma.”

381	Brother Saul: Or, Saul, my brother.

AC9:18 And instantly there fell from Saul’s eyes something like scales 382 and he could see again. Then he rose and was baptized.

382	Something like scales: Like Jacob who wrestled with the angel and continued limp in his hip, it is possible this causes Paul’s eye problems for the rest of his life.

AC9:19a Afterward, he took food and regained strength.

Acts 9:19b-22 – Paul Begins to Preach

AC9:19b Now Saul spent some days with the disciples in Damascus. 383

383	With the disciples in Damascus: Compare Acts 26:20.

AC9:20 And immediately Saul began preaching Jesus in the synagogues 384 – that this One was God’s Son. 385

384	Saul began preaching Jesus n the synagogues: For decades Paul continued to carry his ministry by means of the Jewish synagogue system until he was persona non grata. Even up to the end of Acts about the years 63/64 he is still received as a brother by the Jews in Rome.

385	God’s Son: Never does Paul confuse the Son with God Himself. If Jesus were really God he missed a fine opportunity to explain this to Saul.

AC9:21 So all those listening to him were astonished and said among themselves: “Is this person not the one who ravaged in Jerusalem all those calling on this name. Also, he has come here to arrest these and then lead them bound to the chief priests.” AC9:22 However, Saul was strengthened even more and was confounding the Jews, 386 demonstrating to those dwelling in Damascus that this One was the Christ. 387

386	Confounding the Jews: Or, bewildered, put into utter confusion. Their own best weapon has turned on them.

387	This One was the Christ: Or, RIE: by proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Acts 9:23-25 – Paul’s Escape

AC9:23 Now after a number of days the Jews plotted to kill Saul. AC9:24 However, Saul became aware of their plot and that they were watching the gates night and day so that they might kill him. AC9:25 So, taking him by night those disciples associating with him lowered him in a basket through the wall.

Acts 9:26-30 – Barnabas Aids Saul

AC9:26 After arriving in Jerusalem Saul was trying to associate with the disciples, but all were afraid of him, not believing he was really a disciple. AC9:27 However, Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles. Then Barnabas told them how he saw the Master on the road and that the Master spoke to him, and how in Damascus Saul spoke boldly in the name of Jesus. AC9:28 As a result, Saul could come and go in Jerusalem, continuing to speak boldly in the name of the Master. AC9:29 He spoke and debated with the Greek-speaking [Jews] and so these sought a way to do away with him. AC9:30 When the brothers became aware of this they brought Saul into Caesarea and from there sent him on to Tarsus.

Acts 9:31-35 – Peter’s Ministry During Peace

AC9:31 At this time, the Church throughout all of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a period of peace and upbuilding. They continued advancing in the fear of the Master and in the comfort of the holy Pneuma, 388 as well as increasing in numbers.

388	Comfort of the holy Pneuma: The Greek for “comfort” is PARAKLESEI and is related to the word used by the Master when promising his apostles the spirit-helper. [John 14:26]

AC9:32 During this time, Peter visited every region and finally came to the Saints living in Lydda. AC9:33 There he found a certain person named Aeneas who had been confined to bed for eight years because he was paralyzed. AC9:34 Then Peter said to him: “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Now rise and make your bed.” And instantly he got up. AC9:35 All those dwelling in Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas and turned to the Master.

Acts 9:36-43 – Peter Raises Tabitha

AC9:36 Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha 389 which when translated means Dorcas. She was very involved with good works and charity.

389	Disciple named Tabitha: The only woman to be directly called a “disciple.”

AC9:37 So it occurred during those days she became sick and died. Then, having bathed her [body] they put her upstairs. AC9:38 Now the disciples were aware that Peter was nearby in Lydda and so they sent two men to summon him without haste. AC9:39 So Peter rose and went with them. When he arrived they took him upstairs and he stood among all the crying widows. They showed Peter the many garments and clothing Dorcas had made 390 for them.

390	Clothing Dorcas had made: Thus explaining what he “good works” involved.

AC9:40 Then, Peter had them all put outside and falling to his knees he turned to the body and prayed: “Tabitha, get up!” She then opened her eyes and seeing Peter she sat up. AC9:41 Peter gave her his hand and he raised her up. Calling the Saints and the widows he presented her to them alive. AC9:42 As a result, many heard of this throughout all of Joppa and many believed on the Master. AC9:43 Then for many days Peter remained in Joppa with a certain tanner named Simon.

Review Questions on Chapter Nine