Saul’s Conversion on the Damascus Road

¹ But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

² and¹ asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them² tied up³ to Jerusalem.

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“went to”) has been translated as a finite verb
2. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
3. Or figuratively “bring them under arrest”

³ Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

⁴ And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

⁵ So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting!

⁶ But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you ⌞what you must do⌟.”¹

1. Literally “what thing it is necessary that you do”

⁷ (Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they¹ heard the voice but saw no one.)

1. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as causal

⁸ So Saul got up from the ground, but although¹ his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

1. *Here “although” is supplied as a component of the genitive absolute participle (“were open”) which is understood as concessive

⁹ And he was ⌞unable to see⌟¹ for three days, and he did not eat or drink.

1. Literally “not seeing”

Ananias Sent to Saul

¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus ⌞named⌟¹ Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Behold, here I am, Lord!”

1. Literally “by name”

¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Get up, go to the street called ‘Straight’ and in the house of Judas look for ⌞a man named Saul from Tarsus⌟.¹ For behold, he is praying,

1. Literally “Saul by name of Tarsus”

¹² and he has seen in a vision a man ⌞named⌟¹ Ananias coming in and placing hands² on him so that he may regain his sight.”

1. Literally “by name”
2. Some manuscripts have “placing his hands”

¹³ But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem,

¹⁴ and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up¹ all who call upon your name!”

1. Or figuratively “to arrest” or “to imprison”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles¹ and kings and the sons of Israel.

1. The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context

¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

¹⁷ So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing his¹ hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

1. *Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun

¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight and got up and¹ was baptized,

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb

¹⁹ and after¹ taking food, he regained his strength. And he was with the disciples in Damascus several days.

1. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal

Saul Proclaims Christ in Damascus

²⁰ And immediately he began proclaiming¹ Jesus in the synagogues: “This one is the Son of God!”

1. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began proclaiming”)

²¹ And all who heard him¹ were amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who was wreaking havoc in Jerusalem on those who call upon this name, and had come here for this reason, that he could bring them tied up² to the chief priests?”

1. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
2. Or figuratively “bring them under arrest”

²² But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by¹ proving that this one is the Christ.²

1. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“proving”) which is understood as means
2. Or “Messiah”

²³ And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him.

²⁴ But their plot became known to Saul, and they were also watching the gates both day and night so that they could do away with him.

²⁵ But his disciples took him¹ at night and² let him down through the wall by³ lowering him⁴ in a basket.

1. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
2. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
3. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lowering”) which is understood as means
4. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

Saul in Jerusalem

²⁶ And when he¹ arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they² did not believe that he was a disciple.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
2. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believe”) which is understood as causal

²⁷ But Barnabas took him and¹ brought him² to the apostles and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
2. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

²⁸ And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

²⁹ And he was speaking and debating with the ⌞Greek-speaking Jews⌟,¹ but they were trying to do away with him.

1. Literally “Hellenists”

³⁰ And when¹ the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found out”) which is understood as temporal

³¹ Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.¹

1. *The words “in numbers” are not in the Greek text but are implied

Aeneas Healed

³² Now it happened that as¹ Peter was traveling through all the places,² he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.

1. *Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was traveling”) which is understood as temporal
2. *The words “the places” are not in the Greek text but are implied

³³ And he found there a certain man ⌞named⌟¹ Aeneas who was paralyzed, who had been lying on a mat² for eight years.

1. Literally “by name”
2. Or “mattress”

³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed yourself!” And immediately he got up.

³⁵ And all those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, who all¹ indeed turned to the Lord.

1. *Here “all” is supplied to indicate the relative pronoun is plural

Dorcas Raised

³⁶ Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple ⌞named⌟¹ Tabitha (which translated means “Dorcas”).² She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.³

1. Literally “by name”
2. “Dorcas” is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name “Tabitha” which means “deer” or “gazelle”
3. *Here the imperfect verb is translated as a customary imperfect (“was constantly doing”)

³⁷ Now it happened that in those days after¹ becoming sick, she died. And after² washing her,³ they placed her in an upstairs room.

1. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming sick”) which is understood as temporal
2. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“washing”) which is understood as temporal
3. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

³⁸ And because¹ Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they² heard that Peter was in ⌞Lydda⌟,³ sent two men to him, urging, “Do not delay to come to us!”

1. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as causal
2. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
3. Literally “in it”

³⁹ So Peter got up and¹ accompanied them. When he² arrived, they brought him³ up to the upstairs room, and all the widows came to him, weeping and showing him⁴ tunics and other clothing that Dorcas used to make while she⁵ was with them.

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
2. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
3. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
4. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
5. *Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal

⁴⁰ But Peter sent them all outside, and, falling to his¹ knees, he prayed. And turning toward the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she opened her eyes, and when she² saw Peter, she sat up.

1. *Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
2. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal

⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and¹ raised her up. And he called the saints and the widows and² presented her alive.

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave”) has been translated as a finite verb
2. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb

⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

⁴³ And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.¹

1. Or “with a certain Simon Berseus”; most modern English versions treat the word as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), but the word may actually be a surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”)