Acts 9:20-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 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. I. Ananias is here... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 9:19-22

9:19-22 Paul remained with the disciples in Damascus for some time. And immediately he began to preach Jesus in the synagogues, and the burden of his preaching was, "This is the Son of God." Everyone who heard him was astonished and kept saying, "Is not this the man who at Jerusalem sacked those who call on this name? He came here too to bring them bound to the chief priests." But Saul's power grew ever greater, and he confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, by proving that this is God's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 9:20

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues ,.... The Syriac version adds, "of the Jews"; that is, which were in Damascus, Acts 9:2 from whence it appears, that he was immediately, as soon as converted, qualified for the work of preaching the Gospel: nor did he confer with flesh and blood, or stand disputing and debating with himself and carnal reason, what was best for him to do; but as soon as he knew Christ himself, he preached him to others, and whom he always made the subject... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 9:21

But all that heard him were amazed ,.... Not the disciples that believed in Christ, but the unbelievers, as appears from their words: and said, is not this he that destroyed them that called on this name in Jerusalem ? they do not express the name of Christ, out of malice and ill will; which shows who they were that said these words, and were astonished to hear Saul preaching in this name, and proving him to be the Son of God, and the true Messiah; when it was but a little while ago he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 9:22

But Saul increased the more in strength ,.... Not of body, but of mind; his gifts and graces, and spiritual light and knowledge increased; his abilities were greater; his fortitude of mind, boldness, and freedom of speech, every day increased: he got more, and new, and fresh arguments, by which he himself was confirmed, and he confirmed others in the truths of Christ. Some copies read, "he was more strengthened in the word"; either in the word of God, having a clearer understanding, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:20

Preached Christ in the synagogues - Instead of ΧριϚον , Christ, Ιησουν , Jesus, is the reading of ABCE, several others of high importance, together with the Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Slavonic, and Vulgate. The great question to be determined, for the conviction of the Jews, was that Jesus was the Son of God. That the Christ, or Messiah, was to be the Son of God, they all believed. Saul was now convinced that Jesus, whom they had crucified, and who had appeared to him on the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:21

Is not this he that destroyed them - Ὁ πορθησας . The verb πορθειν has three acceptations in the Greek writers: To treat one as an enemy, to spoil him of his goods. To lead away captive, to imprison. To slay. Paul was properly πορθων , a destroyer, in all these senses. He acted as the most determined enemy of the Christians: Being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them to strange cities, Acts 26:11 . He shut up many of the saints in prison, Acts 8:3 ; Acts... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:22

Confounded the Jews - Συνεχυνε , Overwhelmed them so with his arguments that they were obliged to blush for the weakness of their own cause. Proving that this - Οὑτος , This person, viz. Jesus, is very Christ; εϚιν ὁ ΧριϚος , Is the Christ, or Messiah. See on Acts 9:21 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:20

Verse 20 20.Luke declareth now how fruitful Paul’s conversion was, to wit, that he came abroad by and by, (600) and did not only profess that he was a disciple of Christ, but did also set himself against (601) the fury and hatred of the enemies, by defending the gospel stoutly. Therefore, he who of late ran headlong against Christ with furious force, doth now not only submit himself meekly unto his will and pleasure but like a stout standard-bearer fighteth even unto the utmost danger to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:21

Verse 21 21.They were all amazed. This is added, that we may know that the power of God was acknowledged. For seeing that the zeal of Paul against the gospel was openly known, they saw no other cause of such a sudden change but the hand of God. And, therefore, this is also one fruit of the miracle, that they all wonder at him being made a new man so suddenly, so that his doctrine doth the more move their minds. Whereas they say that he raged horribly with great cruelty, and that he came of late... read more

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