Acts 9:2

and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

1. The high priest is granting him permission to act as a deputy sheriff. Keep in mind that the high priest was also the highest law enforcement officer. The local jail was at the home of the high priest.

2. Damascus - An ancient city, dating to the time of Abraham, was the capital of Syria. It was about 120 miles northeast of Jerusalem. Damascus was a large city of about 150,000 people at this time. Some estimate the population at 200,000.

3. Saul has been made a special deputy to arrest, bind, and bring to Jerusalem all who confess to being a part of "the Way."

4. John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way. "The Way" was a common term to describe the church and all the doctrines and teachings it stood for. See Acts 24:22.

5. Saul did not care of they were men or women. Any of this new "Way" would be arrested.