Acts 9:21-25

 

Acts 9:21 (KJB)

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

 

Amazed - Astonished or confused

 

Saul was preaching the true Gospel in the Synagogues and it had the people who heard him confused. They were under the impression that he came to Damascus to bring the Christians back to Jerusalem to stand trial for heresy. They were even well aware of the fact that Saul had destroyed the Christians in Jerusalem. They probably heard about the stoning of Stephen. This was why they were confused because on one hand they heard he was an enemy of the sect of the Nazarene and here he is in person preaching the very thing they thought he was there to destroy. If you notice in this passage, it is not recorded that any of the Jews adhered to the message which Saul preached. The opposition was beginning.

 

Acts 9:22 (KJB)

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

 

Confounded - Confused, stir up, or incite

 

As Saul continued in his ministry, he was gaining strength in his ministry, which means his ministry was becoming more powerful and convincing. This verse states that he confused the Jews by the fact that he had proven that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah of Israel. With his background in the Hebrew Scriptures, he was able to prove according to them that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah that Israel was looking for. This true interpretation of Scripture would have definitely confused them since they were used to only one interpretation which would have probably emanated from Jerusalem.

 

Acts 9:23 (KJB)

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

 

It is not stated how many days Saul had preached Christ in Damascus but there was no doubt a major split of the Jews had taken place. The ones who rejected the true Gospel would have separated themselves from those who became saved. Those who rejected Christ were now plotting to kill Saul so they would be rid of the troublemaker.

 

Acts 9:24 (KJB)

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

 

Saul had come to the knowledge that there was a plot to kill him. Obviously one of the believers heard the information and came and told Saul. (2 Cor 11:32-33 KJV) In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: {33} And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. According to 2 Corinthians 11:32-33, King Aretas IV of Arabia who ruled from 9 B.C. to 40 A.D. was in league with the Jews in the plot against Saul. Maybe the king was complicit because he had been paid and had told the soldiers to watch out for Saul if he goes out the main gate of the city. Saul now knew a little of the fear that he placed on other Christians when they knew he was out to bind and kill them. This was only the first of many times Saul would be in peril of his life for the Gospel’s sake.

 

Acts 9:25 (KJB)

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

 

Saul must have thoroughly convinced many of the true believers that his conversion was genuine because they would have risked their own lives in helping Saul get away from Damascus. (Josh 2:15 KJV) Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. They may have borrowed the idea from the time of Joshua when Rahab the Harlot let Joshua and Caleb down the walls of the city of Jericho. Apparently, this must have been a place where there was not much activity so they would not have been readily seen or they did it on a night when moon activity was low. (Gal 1:17 KJV) Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. According to Galatians 1:17, Saul did not head right back to Jerusalem but he had gone into Arabia and then came back to Damascus. He went to Jerusalem three years later. (Gal 1:18 KJV) Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

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