Daniel P. Barron

1 And the Saul, still breathing threat ⁱ and murder to the disciples of the Lord, went to the chief priest. 2 He asked from him letters into Damascus to the synagogues, so that if he found some being of the way, ⁱⁱ both men and women, he might bring bound into Jerusalem. 3 And in the going, he was near the Damascus. And suddenly a light from the heaven shone around him. 4 And falling upon the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, ⁱⁱⁱ why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Joshua, whom you are persecuting, hard for you to kick at goads. ^iv 6 But, arise and go into the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” ^v 7 And the men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice ^vi and seeing ^vii no one. 8 And the Saul arose from the ground, and opening his eyes he saw nothing. And being lead by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days not seeing, and he did not eat nor drink. 10 And there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, ^viii and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Behold I, Lord.” 11 And the Lord to him, “Arise, go to the lane called Straight and seek in the house of Judah one named Saul, a Tarsian. ^ix Behold, he is praying. 12 And he saw ^x in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay a hand upon him, so that he might receive sight.” 13 And Ananias answered, “I have heard from many concerning this man, how much bad ^xi he did to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all those who call upon your name.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, for this one is a vessel of choice to me, to bear my name before nations and kings and sons of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer ^xii for my name.”

17 And Ananias departed and went into the house. And laying the hands upon him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me, the one ^xiii who appeared to you on the road on which you were coming, so that you might receive sight and be filled of holy spirit.” 18 And immediately they fell from his eyes, like scales, and he received sight and arising was immersed. 19 And receiving food he was strengthened. And the Saul was with the disciples in Damascus some days.

20 And immediately in the synagogues he ^xiv was preaching the Christ, that this one is the son of the God. 21 And all who heard were amazed and said, “Is not this the one who destroyed ^xv in Jerusalem those that called upon this name, and has come here for this, so that binding them, he might bring unto the chief priets?” 22 And Saul, being more strengthened and confusing ^xvi the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, instructs that this one is the Christ.

23 And as many days were being fulfilled ^xvii the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 And their plot became known to the Saul. And they were closely watching the gates day and night, so that they might kill him. 25 And the disciples taking him by night, let him ^xviii down through the wall lowering in a large basket. ^xix 26 And the Saul arriving in Jerusalem, tried to join the disciples. And all feared him, not believing that he is a disciple. 27 And Barnabas taking him, brought to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he saw the Lord, and that he spoke to him; and how in Damascus he boldly spoke in the name of the Joshua. 28 And he was with them going ^xx into Jerusalem and boldly speaking in the name of the Lord Joshua. 29 And he was speaking and disputing with the Hellenists, ^xxi and they were endeavering to kill him. 30 And upon knowing, the brethren brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. ^xxii 31 Then indeed the assemblies throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria were having peace being edified. And going in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the holy spirit they were multiplying.

32 And it was, as Peter was going through everywhere, he also went down to the saints who dwelt at Lydda. ^xxiii 33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas ^xxiv for eight years lying upon a bed who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Joshua the Christ heals you. Arise and spread ^xxv for yourself.” And immediately he arose. 35 And all who dwelt in Lydda and the Sharon ^xxvi saw him and turned to the Lord.

36 And in Joppa ^xxvii there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, ^xxviii which being translated ^xxix says Dorcas. ^xxx This one was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 And it was in those days, being sick, she died. And washing, they put her in an upper room. 38 And Lydda being near the Joppa, the disciples hearing that Peter is in there, sent for him, urging not to delay to come through unto them. 39 And Peter arising, went together with them, whom arriving they lead into the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping and showing shirts and garments as many as she made while the Dorcas was with them. 40 And the Peter sending them all out, placing the knee, prayed. And turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And her eyes opened, and seeing the Peter, she sat up. 41 And giving her a hand, he raised her up. And calling the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all of the Joppa, and many believed upon the Lord. 43 And he remained many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Acts 8 - Acts 10

Translated by Darwin Fish. See original pdf.

1. ἀπειλῆς (apeilês) - “threat” - singular – NKJV, NAS “threats”; KJV “threatenings” ^
2. ὁδοῦ (hodou) “way” - common word for way or road. Used like this, see Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6; Acts 19:9; 22:4; 24:14, 22. ^
3. Σαούλ (Saoul) - “Saul” - same as in Greek OT (LXX) and closer phonetically to ל ואאוּש) shâ'ul) of the Hebrew OT. Σαούλ (Saoul) is different than the “Saul” Σαῦλος (Saulos) of Acts 9:1; etc.. See Acts 7:58 and footnote therein. Σαούλ (Saoul) is also found in Acts 9:17; 13:21 (King Saul of OT); 22:7, 13; 26:14. ^
4. This last phrase is not found in the MT or CT, but is found in the RT, σκληρόν σοι πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν (sklêron soi pros kentra laktizein) “hard for you to kick at goads.” MT, CT, and RT all have this phrase in Acts 26:14. Thus, it is included herein. κέντρα (kentra) - “goads” - found also in Acts 26:14 (“goads”); 1 Corinthians 15:55-56 (“sting”); Revelation 9:10 (“stings”). Also, Acts 26:14 reveals Joshua said this to Saul in the “Hebrew language.” See also Psalm 81:5 where God says, “I heard a language I did not understand” (context, vs 5-7). ^
5. MT & CT read thus. RT begins the verse with τρέμων τε καὶ θαμβῶν εἶπε, Κύριε, τί με θέλεις ποιῆσαι καὶ ὁ Κύριος πρὸς αὐτόν “So, trembling and amazed he said, 'Lord, what do you will me to do?' And the Lord to him . . . .” RT also does not have ἀλλὰ (alla) “But”. ^
6. ἀκούοντες μὲν τῆς φωνῆς (akouontes men tês phônês) - “hearing indeed the voice” - Acts 22:9 says the opposite: τὴν δὲ φωνὴν οὐκ ἤκουσαν (tên de phônên ouk êkousan) “and they did not hear the voice.” Scripture teaches one can hear and not hear, “hearing they do not hear” (Matthew 13:13) = hearing without understanding. ^
7. μηδένα δὲ θεωροῦντες (mêdena de theôrountes) - “and seeing no one.” - Acts 22:9 says they “indeed saw the light” τὸ μὲν φῶς ἐθεάσαντο (to men phôs etheasanto). So, they saw the light, but didn't see Christ. But, Paul did see Him (Acts 9:17 “who appeared to you”; 26:16 “I have appeared to you”). ^
8. Ἀνανίας (Ananias) - “Ananias” - this is the same name as in Acts 5:1. See footnote therein. ^
9. Ταρσέα (Tarsea) “Tarsian” = a man from Tarsus (Ταρσός [Tarsos]), see verse 30. Found also in Acts 21:39. ^
10. Though he was blind, he saw the vision. ^
11. κακὰ (kaka) - “bad” ^
12. See 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. ^
13. RT & CT add Ἰησοῦς (Iêsous) “Joshua” - so it reads, “Joshua who appeared to you . . . .” ^
14. See 1 Timothy 1:13-16; Philippians 3:3-7. ^
15. πορθήσας (porthêsas) - “destroyed” - only used of Paul destroying believers, here and in Galatians 1:13, 23. ^
16. συνέχυνεν (sunechunen) - “confusing” - NKJV, KJV “confounded”; NAS “confounding” - found also in Acts 2:6 “confused” (NKJV) “confounded” (KJV) “bewildered” (NAS); 19:32 “confused” (NKJV, KJV) “confusion” (NAS); 21:27 “stirred up” (NKJV, KJV) “stir up” (NAS); 21:31 “was in an uproar” (NKJV, KJV) “was in confusion” (NAS).  ^
17. See Galatians 1:16-18. Verse 16 “did not immediately confer with flesh and blood” - “confer” (NKJV), “consult” (NAS), προσανεθέμην (prosanethemên) only also found in Galatians 2:6 “in conference added . . . to me” (KJV), “added . . . to me” (NKJV), “contributed . . . to me” (NAS). Context of both passages dictates Paul reveals he had no human contribution to his gospel. Acts 9 is silent of the trip to Arabia. ^
18. CT has αὐτὸν (autov) “him” - MT & RT do not have this. ^
19. 2 Corinthians 11:32-33 ^
20. CT & RT both add καὶ ἐκπορευόμενος (kai ekporeuomenos) “and going out” ^
21. See footnote for Acts 6:1. Hellenists, being Greek speaking Jews, evidently the conversation was in Greek. Paul could speak both Greek and Hebrew, e.g. Acts 21:37-40. ^
22. Ταρσόν (Tarson) “Tarsus” - found also in Acts 11:25; 22:3. ^
23. Λύδδαν (Luddan) “Lydda” - found also in Acts 9:35, 38. ^
24. Αἰνέαν (Ainean) “Aeneas” - found also in Acts 9:34. ^
25. στρῶσον (strôson) “spread” - NKJV “make . . . bed”; YLT “spread for yourself” - found also in Matthew 21:8 (“spread” 2x); Mark 11:8 (“spread” 2x); 14:15 (“spread out” TT); Luke 22:12 (“spread out” TT). ^
26. Ἀσσάρωνα (Assarôna) – “Sharon” - this Greek spelling only found here in the MT. RT has Σάρωναν (Sarônan) “Sharon,” CT Σαρῶνα (Sarôna) “Sharon.” Hebrew is רון שר) shâron) “Sharon” (e.g. 1 Chronicles 5:16 LXX Σαρων [Sarôn]). ^
27. Ἰόππῃ (Ioppê) “Joppa” - found also in Acts 9:38, 42-43; 10:5, 8, 23, 32; 11:5, 13 – in Hebrew this is ירפו) yâpho) e.g. Joshua 19:46 (LXX Ιόππης [Ioppês]). ^
28. Ταβηθά (Tabêtha) “Tabitha” MT, also only found in verse 40. RT & CT Ταβιθά (Tabitha) also only found in verse 40. ^
29. Apparently, from Aramaic to Greek. ^
30. Δορκάς (Dorkas) “Dorcas” - also only found in verse 39. Δορκάς (Dorkas) = gazelle e.g. LXX Deuteronomy 12:22 δορκὰς (dorkas) “gazelle” (NKJV, NAS, “roebuck” KJV), in Hebrew י בי צב) tseviy); e.g. 2 Samuel 2:18; Proverbs 6:5. ^