Acts 9:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 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... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 9:1-9

9:1-9 But Saul, still breathing out threat and murder to the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters of credit to Damascus, to the synagogues there, so that if he found any of The Way there, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed round about him. He fell on the ground and he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He said, "Who, are you,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 9:7

And the men which journeyed with him ,.... Out of respect to him, to keep him company; or rather to assist him in his designs: stood speechless : astonished and amazed, they had not power to speak one word, nor to rise from the ground, and move one step forward; they were as if they were thunderstruck, and fastened to the earth; for this standing is not opposed to their being fallen to the earth, but to their going forward, and only expresses the surprise and stupidity that had seized... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:7

Stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man - The men were εννεοι , stupified, hearing της φωνης , the voice or thunder, but not distinguishing the words, which were addressed to Saul alone; and which were spoken out of the thunder, or in a small, still voice, after the peal had ceased. The remarkable case, 1 Kings 19:11-13 , may serve to illustrate that before us. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord; and the Lord passed by, and a great and strong... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:7

Verse 7 7.And the men. He speaketh now briefly of the companions of Paul, that they were witnesses of the vision. Yet it seemeth that this narration doth not in all points agree with that of Paul, which we shall see in the 22nd chapter, (Acts 22:9.) For he will say there, that his companions were terrified with the light, but they heard no voice. Some there be who think that it was a fault, (577) and that through ignorance of the writer (578) the negation is placed out of its right place. I... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:1-8

Saul on his way to Damascus. I. THE PICTURE OF THE PERSECUTOR . It is almost the picture of a monster. It resembles the idea of the fearful dragon-monster, which breathes forth smoke and flame, and threatens to devour the sun and moon and stars. Saul is inspired by a murderous feeling against the disciples of Christ. H e himself afterwards recognized that to persecute them was to persecute him ( 1 Timothy 1:13 ). Zeal for God without knowledge is another of his own... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:1-9

Conversion. We have here an instance and a picture of conversion—of a human soul pursuing the wrong course, being arrested by the Divine hand, and submitting itself willingly to the rule of Christ. I. A HUMAN SOUL PURSUING ITS OWN WRONG COURSE . Paul was moving with the whole force of his strong and ardent nature in the direction of active persecution of the friends of Christ ( Acts 9:1 , Acts 9:2 , Acts 9:5 ). Sin sometimes takes this special form now. More often... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:1-9

The sign from heaven. The state of the Church and the world calling for such a sign. The want of a greater spirit among the apostles, to undertake the new leadership as the gospel went forth to challenge the whole world. The awakening mind of the disciples—Samaria, Philip and the eunuch, Caesarea ( Acts 8:40 ), all pointed to a new epoch. The hour was there; but where was the man? Peculiar qualifications necessary—intellect; culture; burning zeal; personal experience of the power of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:1-31

The Ethiopian changes his skin. Of all the remarkable events in the history of human psychology, probably the most remarkable is the conversion of St. Paul, the memory of which is continually celebrated in the Church on the 25th of January. It may be viewed— I. AS AN EVIDENCE OF THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY . St. Paul lived. He preached the gospel with astonishing vigor and success. Numerous Churches were founded by him in Asia and Europe. These are facts as certain as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:7

That journeyed for which journeyed, A.V. ; the voice for a voice, A.V.; beholding for seeing, A.V. Speechless ; ἐννεοί (or rather ἐνεοί ) is found nowhere else in the New Testament, but is not uncommon in the LXX . (e.g. Isaiah 56:10 ) and in classical Greek. Here it means speechless from terror, struck dumb. The description here given by St. Luke seems to be contradictory in two particulars to St. Paul's own account in Acts 22:9 and Acts 26:14 . For St. Paul's... read more

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