Acts 9

Acts 9:1

ANd Saul] Chap. 22. 4, 5.

breathing out threatnings] It importeth a vehement heat of an enraged heart, which his very breath discovered in his words.

Acts 9:2

And desired of him letters] Because the Romans having conquered all Judea, permitted the Jewes to live according to their own Religion (whence the high Priests, as the presidents of their great councell, had power to examine and imprison any of theirs who dissented therin, though they had not power to determine in matters capitall) therefore Saul desired commission from the Priests, to convent the Christians.

to Damascus] Damascus the chiefe citie of Syria, Northward from Canaan, from Jerusalem 6. dayes journey.

any of this way] Acts 24:14. Professed Christians.

Acts 9:5

Jesus whom thou perscutest] In that thou persecutest them that professe my name, who are one with me their head.

to kick against the pricks] This was a proverbe, noting their contumacie and folly, who would obstinately hurt themselves in pursuit of others: It signifieth here a resisting God to a mans own hurt, Jeremiah 7:19. 1 Corinthians 10:22.

Acts 9:7

hearing a voyce] Meaning Sauls voyce (as c. 22. 9. See Daniel 10:7.) not the voyce of Christ, except some confused ound, the meaning they knew not.

but seeing no man] He appeared or spake to Saul only.

Acts 9:8

he saw no man] He was smitten blind by the brightnesse of the light which shined unto him: to teach him that he was spiritually blind in his opinion of wisdom & rage against Christ.

Acts 9:9

And neither did eat nor drink] So wonderfully was he amazed at that which hapned to him; and it may be then was his rapture which he speaketh of, 2 Corinthians 12:2.

Acts 9:11

called Saul of Tarsus] This was a famous City of Cilicia neer Antioch, c. 21. 39.

for behold, he prayeth] It appeareth that God revealed to Ananias, that Saul prayed, and how he would enlighten him body and soul, and therefore commanded him to repair to him for the accomplishment thereof.

Acts 9:12

And hath seen] Or, he saw. These words seem not to he Gods to Ananias, but Lukes concerning Sauls vision, for otherwise he would probably rather have said, he hath seen thee in a vision comming unto him; then he hath seene a man named Ananias coming, &c.

Acts 9:15

a chosen vessell unto me] A vessell of honour. See 2 Tim. 2. 20. To bear the divine treasure of the Gospel, the savour of life unto life to the Gentiles, 2 Corinthians 4:7.

Acts 9:16

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer] He must suffer many things for my names sake; therefore I will before inform him therof, to frame him to invincible patience.

Acts 9:22

proving that this is very Christ] By comparing or matching places of Scripture. See ch. 17. 11. & 18. 28.

Acts 9:23

And after that many dayes were fulfilled] That is, three yeares, Galatians 1:8.

Acts 9:24

But their laying await was known of Saul] 2 Corinthians 11:32.

Acts 9:25

the Disciples took him by night] The faithfull Christians.

Acts 9:28

was with them comming in, and going out] Conversant with them. With Peter and James, Gal. 1. 18, 19.

Acts 9:29

he spake boldly] Making open profession of the Gospel.

the Grecians] Acts 6:1.

Acts 9:30

forth to Tarsus] That he might preach the Gospel to his own Countrey-men.

Acts 9:35

dwelt at Lydda, and Saron] Lydda was a Citie of Palestine in the tribe of Ephraim, and Saron the Champion Countrey between Caesarea of Palestine and Mount Tabor, and the Lake of Genesareth, running along beyond Joppe: the meaning is, that as many saw him as in these parts turned to the Lord.

Acts 9:36

was at Joppa] A citie by the sea side.

Acts 9:37

whom when they had washed] They were wont to wash their dead, and to anoint them before they put them into the linen in which they buried them.

Acts 9:39

and shewing the coats] Which she made to give the poor.