Acts 9:1-9

Seeing the Light on the Damascus' Road

Saul not only persecuted the church in Jerusalem, but even went to foreign cities to carry out his vicious persecution. Bruce presents some evidence that the Jews had a treaty with the Romans which allowed them the privilege of extradition (1 Maccabees 15:15-21). It may have been under this right, to seek out any "pestilent fellows" that had fled from their country, that the high priest wrote letters to send with Saul to Damascus. Specifically, Saul was authorized to seek out those who followed "the Way," which was a means of designating those who followed Christ during Luke's day (Acts 16:17; Acts 18:24-28; Acts 19:9; Acts 19:23; Acts 22:4; Acts 24:14; Acts 24:22). When he found either men or women who followed that belief, he was authorized to take them in bonds to Jerusalem.

Saul's journey was interrupted by a great light coming down from heaven and shining around him. Since this occurred at midday, the light must have been very great. Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Naturally, he had to ask who was speaking. Then, he heard, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." Clearly, the Lord was saying to persecute his followers is to persecute him. Knowing he had persecuted the followers of Jesus, Saul trembled and asked what he must do. The Lord said, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

Saul's travelling companions seem to have heard a sound but were unable to understand the words spoken (compare John 12:28-29; Acts 22:9). Though they all had fallen to the ground (Acts 26:14), they "stood," or existed, in a state of speechlessness. When Saul got up, he was blind, so his friends had to lead him by the hand into the city. For three days, he prayed and fasted, unwilling, or unable, to take food because of the tremendous shock he had received on the Damascus' road (Acts 9:1-9).