Acts 9:1-9·~1 min

The Road to Damascus

Saul is still breathing threats and murder against the Lord's disciples when he goes to the high priest for letters to the synagogues in Damascus. He means to seize any men or women belonging to the Way and bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners.

M¹eanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest ²and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Near Damascus a light from heaven flashes around Saul, he falls to the ground, and a voice asks why he is persecuting him. When Saul asks who is speaking, Jesus identifies himself and tells Saul to enter the city and wait to be told what to do.

³As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” ⁵“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. ⁶“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul's companions stand speechless, hearing the voice without seeing anyone. Saul rises blind, is led by the hand into Damascus, and spends three days without sight, food, or drink.

⁷The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.

Section summarySaul approaches Damascus still breathing threats against the disciples and carrying authority to seize followers of the Way. A heavenly light throws him down, Jesus identifies himself as the one Saul is persecuting, and Saul enters the city blind, fasting, and waiting for what will come next.

Role in the chapterThis opening movement turns the persecutor's journey into an encounter with the risen Jesus. Saul's authority collapses at once, and the man who set out to lead others away is himself led by the hand.