Acts 9

Saul's Conversion

¹But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

²and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

³As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.

⁴He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

⁶But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”

⁷The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.

⁸Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

⁹He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.

¹⁰Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”

¹¹The Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,

¹²and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”

¹³But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.

¹⁴Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

¹⁵But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.

¹⁶For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

¹⁷Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

¹⁸Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.

¹⁹He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.

Saul Preaches in Damascus

²⁰Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

²¹All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”

²²But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

²³When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,

²⁴but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,

²⁵but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

²⁶When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

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

²⁸He was with them entering into Jerusalem,

²⁹preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.

³⁰When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

³¹So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Peter's Miracles in Lydda and Joppa

³²As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

³³There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years because he was paralyzed.

³⁴Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.

³⁵All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.

³⁷In those days, she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.

³⁸As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.

³⁹Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the tunics and other garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

⁴⁰Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

⁴¹He gave her his hand and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

⁴²This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

⁴³He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

Previous Acts 8

Next Acts 10

Acts 9 records the dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus, Christianity's most notorious persecutor, who encounters the risen Christ on the Damascus road and is transformed into the church's greatest missionary. Through Ananias's obedient ministry, Saul receives sight and the Holy Spirit, immediately beginning to preach Christ in the synagogues of Damascus. The chapter concludes with Peter's miraculous healings in Lydda and Joppa, including raising Tabitha from the dead, demonstrating the apostolic power continuing to advance the gospel.

Context

This pivotal chapter follows Stephen's martyrdom and the subsequent persecution, introducing Saul's conversion which will dominate the remainder of Acts as Paul becomes the apostle to the Gentiles.

Key Themes

Outline

1-2
Saul's Mission to Damascus Saul seeks authorization to arrest Christians in Damascus synagogues.
3-9
The Damascus Road Encounter Christ appears to Saul in blinding light, leading to his conversion and temporary blindness.
10-19
Ananias Ministers to Saul Despite fears, Ananias obeys God's vision to restore Saul's sight and baptize him.
20-25
Saul Preaches and Faces Opposition Saul immediately proclaims Christ in Damascus synagogues, confounding Jews and escaping assassination.
26-31
Saul in Jerusalem and Return to Tarsus Barnabas introduces Saul to the apostles before he flees persecution to Tarsus.
32-43
Peter's Miracles in Lydda and Joppa Peter heals Aeneas and raises Tabitha from the dead, leading many to faith.

Saul's Conversion

9:1–9:19

narrative narration triumphant

Saul, persecutor of Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, is blinded, and after three days is healed by Ananias. Jesus calls Saul as his chosen vessel to bear his name before nations and kings.

person_contrast

Saul transforms from "breathing threats and slaughter" to receiving divine calling and healing touch, reversing his typical biblical association with judgment and authority.

Saul Preaches in Damascus

9:20–9:31

narrative narration triumphant

Saul immediately begins preaching Christ in Damascus, confounding the Jews and facing persecution. After escaping to Jerusalem with Barnabas's help, he continues preaching boldly before being sent to Tarsus for safety.

person_contrast

Saul's transformation from persecutor to proclaimer creates a stunning reversal where his former reputation as destroyer becomes his greatest credential for authenticity.

Peter's Miracles in Lydda and Joppa

9:32–9:43

narrative narration triumphant

Peter performs two miraculous healings: he heals the paralyzed Aeneas in Lydda and raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead in Joppa. Both miracles lead many to believe in the Lord.

person_contrast

Peter's command "Jesus Christ heals you" in verse 34 uniquely attributes healing power directly to Christ's name rather than invoking prayer, distinguishing this miracle from typical apostolic healing formulas.

Insight Character Study

Saul transforms from "breathing threats and slaughter" to receiving divine calling and healing touch, reversing his typical biblical association with judgment and authority.

Insight Character Study

Saul's transformation from persecutor to proclaimer creates a stunning reversal where his former reputation as destroyer becomes his greatest credential for authenticity.

Insight Character Study