Acts 9:20-22·~1 min
Saul Preaches at Damascus
Saul promptly proclaims Jesus in the synagogues as the Son of God, astonishing those who know what he has done in Jerusalem and why he came to Damascus. Instead of turning back, Saul grows stronger and proves to the Jews there that Jesus is the Christ.
S20aul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” 21All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
Section summarySaul begins at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues as the Son of God. His hearers are astonished because the destroyer has become the preacher, yet Saul grows stronger and confounds the Jews in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
Role in the chapterThis section gives the first public shape of Saul's turning. The very name he came to suppress is now the one he argues for in the synagogues.