Putting his hands on him - This was not “ordination,” but was the usual mode of imparting or communicating blessings. See the notes on Matthew 19:13; Matthew 9:18.Brother Saul - An expression recognizing him as a fellow-Christian.Be filled with the Holy Ghost - See the notes on Acts 2:4. read more
Acts 9:17-19. And Ananias went his way With all readiness and joy undertook the message, not presuming to object any further; and entered into the house To which he had been so particularly directed; and putting his hands on him According to Christ’s direction, Mark 16:18; said, Brother Saul So he terms him, because he was made a partaker of the grace of God, though not yet baptized; and his readiness to own Saul as a brother intimated to him God’s readiness to own him as a son,... read more
Conversion of Saul (9:1-19a)The name by which Christianity was known was ‘the Way’ (see 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22). Possibly the name originated with the Christians themselves, who believed their movement was the way of the Lord, the way of salvation and the way of life. But to the Christians’ opponents the name represented a movement that had to be destroyed.By this time the gospel had spread north at least as far as the Syrian city of Damascus, which had a large Jewish population. The... read more
Brother. Thus recognizing him as a fellow-disciple. Saul. Greek. Saoul, as in Acts 9:4 . appeared unto = was seen by. Greek. optomai. App-106 . as = by which. sent. Greek. apostello. App-174 . the Holy Ghost. Greek. pneuma hagion. App-101 . read more
And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.Brother Saul ... By way of anticipation, Ananias, out of respect to what the Lord had revealed to him, referred to Saul as "brother," not merely a "brother Israelite" but as a brother in Christ.Receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy... read more
Acts 9:17. Ananias went his way, &c.— Had St. Paul been an impostor, he could not have acted his part but in confederacy. He was to be instructed by one at Damascus; Act 9:6 that instructor therefore must have been his accomplice, though they appeared to be absolute strangers to each other, and though he was a man of an excellent character, and so was very unlikely to have engaged in such a business. Notwithstanding these improbabilities, this man must have been his confident and accomplice... read more
17-19. Ananias went his way, and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul—How beautifully childlike is the obedience of Ananias to "the heavenly vision!" the Lord, even Jesus—This clearly shows in what sense the term "Lord" is used in this book. It is JESUS that is meant, as almost invariably in the Epistles also. who appeared unto thee in the way—This knowledge by an inhabitant of Damascus of what had happened to Saul before entering it, would show him at once that this was the man whom... read more
1. Saul’s conversion and calling 9:1-19aLuke recorded the conversion and calling of Saul of Tarsus to demonstrate the supernatural power and sovereign direction of God. Saul’s conversion was one of the most miraculous and significant instances of repentance that took place during the early expansion of the church. His calling to be God’s main missionary to the Gentiles was equally dramatic. read more
C. The mission of Saul 9:1-31The writer focused our attention next on a key figure in the spread of the Christian mission and on significant events in the development of that mission to the Gentiles. Peter’s evangelization of Cornelius (ch. 10) will continue to advance this theme. Luke has given us three portraits of significant individuals in the evangelization of Gentiles: Stephen, Philip, and now, climactically, Saul. He stressed that Saul’s conversion and calling to be an apostle to the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:17-19
A parable in things spiritual. We entertain no doubt that we have here a simplest history of what actually occurred. We doubt no less that the chiefest interest and significance of the record lie in the spiritual history that underlies it. Nay, more, though we read facts of outer life, they do nothing mere than outline those of an inner life, which Jesus notices, loves, helps, and even makes. Notice— I. THE CHANGE THAT PASSES ON SAUL . He receives his sight. For three... read more