Back to Saul— breathing out threatenings and slaughter, who wanted to kill every last one of the Lord’s disciples: he went to the high priest in Jerusalem for authorization to purge all the synagogues in Damascus of followers of the way of Jesus.
Christianity became known as The Way based on Christ calling Himself “the way” (John 14:6). It also reminds us that there is a path to following Christ. It’s not just a decision in a moment. It’s a lifestyle.[1]
His plan was to arrest and chain any of Jesus’ followers—women as well as men[2]—and transport them back to Jerusalem. He traveled north toward Damascus with a group of companions.
Damascus was the middle of a huge commerce network, with trade stretching into Mesopotamia, Persia, and Arabia. If the new “Way” of Christianity flourished in Damascus, it would spread fast. To Saul, The Way had to be stopped in Damascus.[3]
Suddenly a light flashes from the sky around Saul, and he falls to the ground at the sound of a voice (speaking in Aramaic – Acts 26).[4] The Lord: Saul, Saul, why are you attacking Me?[5] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26) Saul: Lord, who are You?
Goads are spikes used to prod farm animals.[6] Sometimes a stubborn ox kicks back against the goad and wounds itself. This proverb has to do with the pointlessness of rebelling against lawful authority.
The Lord: I am Jesus. I am the One you are attacking. Get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. Enter the city. You will learn there what you are to do.
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26)
His other traveling companions just stand there, paralyzed, speechless because they, too, heard the voice; but there is nobody in sight. Saul rises to his feet, his eyes wide open, but he can’t see a thing. So his companions lead their blind friend by the hand and take him into Damascus. He waits for three days—completely blind—and does not eat a bite or drink a drop of anything.
Meanwhile, in Damascus a disciple named Ananias had a vision in which the Lord Jesus spoke to him. (He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. – Acts 22) The Lord: Ananias. Ananias: Here I am, Lord.
Ananias was likely one of Saul's targets for arrest in Damascus. He served as first bishop of that city.[7]The Greek Church has a tradition that Ananias was one of the seventy-two disciples, and that he was martyred; they celebrate his martyrdom on the first of October.[8]
The Lord: Get up and go to Straight Boulevard. Go to the house of Judas, and inquire about a man from Tarsus, Saul by name. He is praying to Me at this very instant. He has had a vision—a vision of a man by your name who will come, lay hands on him, and heal his eyesight.
Ananias: Lord, I know whom You’re talking about. I’ve heard rumors about this fellow. He’s an evil man and has caused great harm for Your special people in Jerusalem. I’ve heard that he has been authorized by the religious authorities to come here and chain everyone who associates with Your name.
The Lord: Yes, but you must go! He is my chosen vessel to bring My name far and wide—to outsiders, to kings, and to the people of Israel as well. I have much to show him, including how much he must suffer for My name. So Ananias went and entered the house where Saul was staying. He laid his hands on Saul and called to him.
Ananias: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, sent me so you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 22 - “‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.
You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes,[9]and he could see.
So he got up, received the ceremonial washing of baptism identifying him as a disciple, ate some food (remember, he had not eaten for three days), and regained his strength. He spent a lot of time with the disciples in Damascus over the next several days.
Then he went into the very synagogues he had intended to purge, proclaiming, Saul: Jesus is God’s Son![10]
Let’s see what we can learn from Saul in this passage.
“Saul, breathing out threatenings and slaughter.” That kind of language is also very frequent in the Greek writers, who use it to represent a remarkable amount of hostility. Luke wrote in a sophisticated version of Greek called Koine Greek. It is likely he was trained in Greek classics. This kind of language is found often there. For example:
They came into the assembly, breathing mutual slaughter. (Theocritus)
They breathed spears, and pikes, and helmets, and crests, and greaves, and the fury of redoubted heroes. (Aristophanes)
His description of Saul shows someone desperately and incessantly bent on accomplishing the destruction of the objects of its resentment.[11]
Why was Saul so mad? He was convinced that Jesus was dead and buried. He did not believe the resurrection happened. As a Pharisee, a keeper of the law, he was bent on wiping out this idolatrous and blasphemous movement. You see a bit of zealotry shine through as he is determined to kill the enemies of his faith.[12] It’s not clear if he participated in the Zealot movement (as they generally targeted Rome), but his embrace of violence as a means of advancing or protecting God’s kingdom surely had some overlap.
So, envision Saul as a Jewish hero to probably all but the Essenes. He is a Pharisee, using the method of Zealots to kill these Jewish insurrectionists, which the Sadducees probably appreciated, since keeping their own people in line kept them in good standing with Rome.
I don’t think I can overstate this: Saul was profoundly convinced that he was God’s man doing God’s work. He told the church in Philippi,
“If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” (Philippians 3:4-6)
That was his mindset when God confronted him: “I am crushing it. Surely God is pleased with me!” In this context, Jesus’ greeting to him is either obvious or shocking. “Saul, Saul,” is a repetition that signifies intimate personal address. Here are all the examples in Scripture other than God’s address to Saul.
But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven,“Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. (Genesis 22:11)
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”
“Here I am,” he replied. (Genesis 46:2)
God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” ( Exodus 34:4)
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things…” (Luke 10:41)
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31)
In all cases, it is not language of anger or condemnation. It is the gentle address of a caring Heavenly Father. Here is Saul, violently hunting down and killing followers of Jesus, and Jesus “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”[13] so of course Jesus loved him in the midst of his sin.
Meanwhile, Saul knows the OT, which is full of stories of God appearing to and speaking to people. This should be amazing for Saul: God is speaking to him! He must be doing GREAT! But then Jesus says that Saul is actually persecuting him. (At that time, treatment of messengers reflected the attitude toward their sender.)[14]
It must have been overwhelming for Saul to do the math. If by persecuting the followers of Jesus he is persecuting God, then Jesus must be God, which means those pesky rumors about Jesus rising from the dead must be true.
It’s hard to imagine what was going on inside Saul.
In spite of all this, God calls him a “chosen vessel.” It’s a very Jewish way of describing Saul as an excellent or well-adapted instrument, a choice or eminent person. How can this be? It turns out that Saul has attributes that, if applied to kingdom work, are fantastic.
His character: dedicated zealously to the purity of his faith
His education: trained Jewish; trained in Greek by Roman benefactors, so primed to be all things to all people.
His reputation: stellar. He was the upcoming next big thing in his circles.
To the early Christians, Paul must have looked like a monster because of the outcome of his actions, and understandably so. As church history unfolds, we continue to see far too many times when zealous followers of God get His will terribly wrong.
The Inquisition and other periods of intra-church violence, Christians believed they were protecting truth, saving souls, and guarding orthodoxy, yet used fear, coercion, imprisonment, and torture in the name of Christ. Even John Calvin had a man burned at the stake over theological differences.
Colonial missionary efforts toward Indigenous peoples, including the forced removal of Native American children into government and church-run schools in order to “kill the Indian and save the man.” Cultural erasure and family separation were framed as obedience to the Great Commission.
In the Crusades, nations and armies claimed to advance Christendom at the edge of the sword, and large segments of the church supported violence because they believed God’s kingdom would expand through conquest.
The church’s long defense of slavery. Scripture was quoted sincerely.
Pulpits defended the system. Faithful Christians believed they were upholding God’s order—while denying the image of God in others.Antisemitism within Christian theology and practice. People as famous as Martin Luther portrayed Jews as Christ-killers, cursed, or rejected by God. This theological zeal helped justify centuries of violence, exclusion, and persecution. (Hitler was a fan of Luther.)
The silencing of abuse “for the sake of the church.” Victims were told to forgive quickly. Leaders were protected to avoid scandal. What was framed as protecting God’s reputation often perpetuated harm.
In nearly every one of these moments, the church was not trying to rebel against God. The church believed it was being faithful – but it wasn’t.
To the victims in all of these circumstances, it must be really hard to see people doing terrible things under the banner of zealous allegiance to God and respond with imprecatory prayers and a desire for their destruction. And I totally get it. It’s a very human response to human rights violations.
But Jesus has a Jesus-like response to Paul (and I assume others who have sincerely used their power and skills in the belief they were doing God’s will, but were actually in the service of evil).
God sees what is possible on the other side of redemption. There is something here about hope and potential.
Don’t hear me say that God does not see what is happening in the moment. A God whose love is just will not be indifferent to injustice. God stopped Saul, after all. The Bible is clear that God is on the side of the oppressed.
Yet a God whose love is merciful and redemptive also knows what could happen in a surrendered and repentant heart, which is why God did not give up on Saul, and God will not give up on…..here you fill in the blank. Think big.
Immediately, God asks His people to trust that He can do transformational miracles. Paul seeks fellowship with the very people he was there to arrest. God could have informed him at once what His will was – He and Saul were having a conversation after all – but God chose to send Saul to God’s people. Why? Believer’s Bible Commentary offers two suggestions. I’m going to paraphrase:
First, so that those already in the Kingdom clearly understand the love and forgiveness God expects of them.
Second, so that those new to the kingdom experience the goodness of God through the goodness of God’s people.
Being a follower of Jesus is a high calling. Much has been given to us; much is required. It will be hard to love, forgive, confront, embrace, repent, be peacemakers; it’s a challenge to consistently show gentleness, meekness, and humility when we want so badly to be harsh, blustering, and proud.
Following in the path of Jesus is a high calling and a hard one. There’s a reason Jesus told his disciples to count the cost. (Luke 14:28-30) Following Jesus is a sacrifice that will cost us something if we take it seriously. But when we do, we introduce people to the goodness of God by living as faithful ambassadors of God.
And when you consider that kind of community, does it not sound like a beautiful place to be? A place built on the foundation of the cruciform love of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and filled with people who increasingly remind us of Jesus.
No wonder the next thing we read is that Paul began to testify powerfully (Acts 9:20). He had met Jesus; that was life-changing. And then he met the followers of Jesus who faithfully represented Jesus, and that was life-changing.
* * * * *
Pastor: Lord, when we are full of zeal but mistaken about what You are actually calling us to…
Congregation: Slow us down, open our eyes, and turn our passion toward Your heart.
Pastor: When we are convinced we are defending You, yet our lives reveal fear, anger, pride, or harm…
Congregation: Remind us that You call us by name, not to shame us, but to heal us.
Pastor: When we are confident in our knowledge, our tradition, or our certainty…
Congregation: Teach us again that You are Jesus, the One we meet in mercy, the One we meet in truth.
Pastor: When our blindness is self-inflicted, when we kick against what You are doing in us…
Congregation: Give us the courage to stop resisting and the humility to be led by Your hand.
Pastor: When we struggle to believe that transformation is possible in others, or in ourselves…
Congregation: Remind us that You see not only what is, but also what can be made new.
Pastor: When You call us to love difficult people, to forgive deeply, to welcome boldly…
Congregation: Fill us with Your Spirit, so Your goodness is made visible through Your people.
Pastor: Lord Jesus, You met Saul on the road, You met him through Your people, and You sent him out with good news.
Congregation: As you meet us on our roads, may we respond by declaring Your mercy and Your light. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
[1] HT Orthodox Study Bible
[2] The fact that both men and women were targeted makes it clear that women had a prominent role in the early church. (Africa Bible Commentary)
[3] NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible
[4] My commentary crush Adam Clarke sees God using nature as a means of divine revelation: “Verse Acts 9:3. This might have been an extraordinary flash of [lightning] accompanied with thunder… out of this thunder, or immediately after it, Christ spoke in a distinct voice, which appears to have been understood by Saul only.”
[5] To persecute Jesus’ disciples was to persecute Jesus (Matt. 5:10–12; John 15:19, 20).
[6] “Sometimes used as a metaphor for the promptings of God (Ecc 12:11, “pointed sticks”).” (Orthodox Study Bible)
[7] Orthodox Study Bible
[8] Adam Clarke’s commentary
[9] Some of Luke’s audience may have recalled the scales or films that fell from Tobit’s eyes when he was healed in a traditional Jewish story (Tobit 3:17; 11:11 – 13). (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible)
[10] This translation is The Voice, which you can find on Bible Gateway.
[11] Adam Clarke
[12] Paul describes himself several times as “zealous,” which has raised some questions about whether or not he was referencing Old Testament characters who were zealous for Got, the temple or the Torah, or if there was some sense in which he took the approach of the Zealots (who were Pharisees, though not all Pharisees were zealots.)
[13] Romans 5:8
[14] See Exodus 16:8; 1 Samuel 8:7; Luke 10:16).