20 And G2532 straightway G2112 he preached G2784 Christ G5547 in G1722 the synagogues, G4864 that G3754 he G3778 is G2076 the Son G5207 of God. G2316
21 But G1161 all G3956 that heard G191 him were amazed, G1839 and G2532 said; G3004 Is G2076 not G3756 this G3778 he that destroyed G4199 them which G3588 called on G1941 this G5124 name G3686 in G1722 Jerusalem, G2419 and G2532 came G2064 hither G5602 for G1519 that G5124 intent, G1519 that G2443 he might bring G71 them G846 bound G1210 unto G1909 the chief priests? G749
22 But G1161 Saul G4569 increased G1743 the more G3123 in strength, G1743 and G2532 confounded G4797 the Jews G2453 which G3588 dwelt G2730 at G1722 Damascus, G1154 proving G4822 that G3754 this G3778 is G2076 very Christ. G5547
23 And G1161 after G5613 that many G2425 days G2250 were fulfilled, G4137 the Jews G2453 took counsel G4823 to kill G337 him: G846
24 But G1161 their G846 laying await G1917 was known G1097 of Saul. G4569 And G5037 they watched G3906 the gates G4439 day G2250 and G2532 night G3571 to G3704 kill G337 him. G846
25 Then G1161 the disciples G3101 took G2983 him G846 by night, G3571 and let him down G2524 G5465 by G1223 the wall G5038 in G1722 a basket. G4711
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Acts 9
Commentary on Acts 9 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 9
In this chapter we have,
Act 9:1-9
We found mention made of Saul twice or thrice in the story of Stephen, for the sacred penman longed to come to his story; and now we are come to it, not quite taking leave of Peter but from henceforward being mostly taken up with Paul the apostle of the Gentiles, as Peter was of the circumcision. His name in Hebrew was Saul-desired, though as remarkably little in stature 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. He had likewise a handicraft trade (being bred to tent-making), which was common with those among the Jews who were bred scholars (as Dr. Lightfoot saith), for the earning of their maintenance, and the avoiding of idleness. 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, or little more. We are here told,
Act 9:10-22
As for God, his work is perfect; if he begin, he will make an end: a good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet, in that word, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any that were brought to that. Though Saul was sadly mortified when he lay three days blind, yet he was not abandoned. Christ here takes care of the work of his own hands. He that hath torn will heal-that hath smitten will bind up-that hath convinced will comfort.
Act 9:23-31
Luke here makes no mention of Paul's journey into Arabia, which he tells us himself was immediately after his conversion, Gal. 1:16, 17. As soon as God had revealed his Son in him, that he might preach him, he went not up to Jerusalem, to receive instructions from the apostles (as any other convert would have done, that was designed for the ministry), but he went to Arabia, where there was new ground to break up, and where he would have opportunity of teaching, but not learning; thence he returned to Damascus, and there, three years after his conversion, this happened, which is here recorded.
Act 9:32-35
Here we have,
Act 9:36-43
Here we have another miracle wrought by Peter, for the confirming of the gospel, and which exceeded the former-the raising of Tabitha to life when she had been for some time dead. Here is,