Keraia
Acts 9

Acts 9:2

The Road to Damascus · Acts 9:1–9
Read Acts 9

Translations

Modern
…and 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.
Traditional
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Literal
…requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any being of the Way, both men and women, having bound them, he might bring them to Jerusalem.
Latin
…et petiit ab eo epistolas in Damascum ad synagogas: ut si quos invenisset hujus viæ viros ac mulieres, vinctos perduceret in Jerusalem.

Original

Greek
English
…and 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.

Notes

Acts 9:2

  • A synagogue (Greek sunagōgē, meaning “gathering place”) was a local Jewish meeting place. After the exile to Babylon, Jewish people began to meet in synagogues in their towns. These places became centers for teaching and worship. After Israel returned from exile in Babylon, Jews began using synagogues for instruction and worship.

    In the synagogue, people read from the Law and the Prophets. Leaders explained the meaning of the Scriptures. The people also prayed and gave praise and thanks to God (see 13:15; 15:21; Nehemiah 9:5; Matthew 6:5; Luke 4:16–21). Jesus attended, taught, preached, and performed miracles in synagogues (Matthew 12:9–10; Mark 1:21, 39; Luke 4:16; 13:10–13; John 6:59; 18:20). His apostles did as well (see Acts 9:20; 13:5, 14; 14:1; 17:1, 10, 17; 18:4, 19, 26).

  • Damascus: Damascus, the capital of Syria, was an important center with a long history. It was the nearest major city outside of Palestine. It took four to six days to travel from Jerusalem to Damascus. This emphasizes Saul’s determination (9:1–5; see 22:4–8; 26:9–15).

  • the Way: The term the Way in the book of Acts refers to Christianity (see 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22). It is “the way of God” that teaches people “the way of salvation” (18:26; 16:17). See also John 14:6; 2 Peter 2:2.

Acts 9:1–19

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road is central to the story in Acts. Luke tells the story three times (also 22:1–21; 26:1–29). Paul (Saul) mentions this experience several times in his letters (1 Corinthians 15:8–10; Galatians 1:11–17; Philippians 3:4–11; see 1 Timothy 1:12–17). Saul’s conversion was his call as a prophet and commission as an apostle (Acts 9:15; 22:15, 21; 26:15–18). No one is beyond God's power to reach, save, and use for holy purposes. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). God prepared Paul through his training, childhood, and experience to play a unique role in proclaiming the gospel to the wider world as the “apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13; see 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 12:11–12; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 3:8).

Events

Parallels

Acts 22:1–21 Acts 26:1–23

Places

Damascus: Ancient city, capital of Syria, important in biblical history Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Apostle, Apostleship Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Blindness Book of the Acts of the Apostles Damascus Followers of the Way Judaizers Paul the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Resurrection Sanhedrin Synagogue The Way

Topics

Arrest: Paul Authorized to Arrest Christians Bigotry of Saul, in Persecuting the Christians Extradition: General Scriptures Concerning Heart: Change of Saul of Tarsus Paul: Sent to Damascus with Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians Persecution of the Ekklesia (Body of Christ) Synagogue: Primarily an Assembly of Jews and God-Fearers: Constitutes a Court of Justice Synagogue: The Scriptures Were Read and Expounded In in Damascus Synagogues: Often Used As Courts of Justice Synagogues: Sometimes Several, in the Same City Syria: Paul Goes To, with Letters to Apprehend the Christians The Pharisees: Character of Cruel in Persecuting The Way Way: Doctrines Taught by Christ