Acts 22:6-16
And it came to pass ( εγενετο δε ). Rather than the common κα εγενετο and with the infinitive ( περιαστραψα ), one of the three constructions with κα (δε) εγενετο by Luke (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1042f.), followed by κα, by finite verb, by subject infinitive as here.As I made my journey ( μο πορευομενω ). To me (dative after εγενετο, happened to me) journeying (participle agreeing with μο ). See this same idiom in verse 17. Luke uses εγενετο δε seventeen times in the gospel and twenty-one in the Acts.
Unto Damascus ( τη Δαμασκω ). Dative after εγγιζοντ (drawing nigh to).
About noon ( περ μεσημβριαν ). Mid ( μεσος ) day ( ημερα ), old word, in the N.T. only here and 8:26 which see where it may mean "toward the south." An item not in ch. 9.
Shone round about me ( περιαστραψα περ εμε ). First aorist active infinitive of περιαστραπτω, to flash around, in LXX and late Greek, in the N.T. only here and 9:3 which see. Note repetition of περ.
A great light ( φως ικανον ). Luke's favourite word ικανον (considerable). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive.
I fell ( επεσα ). Second aorist active indicative with -α rather than επεσον, the usual form of πιπτω.
Unto the ground ( εις το εδαφος ). Old word, here alone in N.T. So the verb εδαφιζω, is in Lu 19:44 alone in the N.T.
A voice saying ( φωνης λεγουσης ). Genitive after ηκουσα, though in 26:14 the accusative is used after ηκουσα, as in 22:14 after ακουσα, either being allowable. See on 9:7 for discussion of the difference in case. Saul's name repeated each time (9:4; 22:7; 26:14). Same question also in each report: "Why persecuted thou me?" ( Τ με διωκεισ? ). These piercing words stuck in Paul's mind.
Of Nazareth ( ο Ναζωραιος ). The Nazarene, not in 9:5; 26:15 and here because Jesus is mentioned now for the first time in the address. The form Ναζωραιος as in Mt 2:23 (which see) is used also in 24:5 for the followers of Jesus instead of Ναζαρηνος as in Mr 1:24, etc. (which see).
But they heard not the voice ( την δε φωνην ουκ ηκουσαν ). The accusative here may be used rather than the genitive as in verse 7 to indicate that those with Paul did not understand what they heard (9:7) just as they beheld the light (22:9), but did not see Jesus (9:7). The difference in cases allows this distinction, though it is not always observed as just noticed about 22:14; 26:14. The verb ακουω is used in the sense of understand (Mr 4:33; 1Co 14:2). It is one of the evidences of the genuineness of this report of Paul's speech that Luke did not try to smooth out apparent discrepancies in details between the words of Paul and his own record already in ch. 9. The Textus Receptus adds in this verse: "And they became afraid" ( κα εμφοβο εγενοντο ). Clearly not genuine.
Into Damascus ( εις Δαμασκον ). In 9:6 simply "into the city" ( εις την πολιν ).
Of all things which ( περ παντων ων ). Hων, relative plural attracted to genitive of antecedent from accusative α, object of ποιησα (do).
Are appointed for thee ( τετακτα σο ). Perfect passive indicative of τασσω, to appoint, to order, with dative σο. Compare with οτ σε δε of 9:6. The words were spoken to Paul, of course, in the Aramaic, Saoul, Saoul.
I could not see ( ουκ ενεβλεπον ). Imperfect active of εμβλεπω, I was not seeing, same fact stated in 9:8. Here the reason as "for the glory of that light" ( απο της δοξης του φωτος εκεινου ).
Being led by the hand ( χειραγωγουμενος ). Present passive participle of χειραγωγεω, the same verb used in 9:8 ( χειραγωγουντες ) which see. Late verb, in the N.T. only in these two places. In LXX.
A devout man according to the law ( ευλαβης κατα τον νομον ). See on 2:5; 8:2; Lu 2:25 for the adjective ευλαβης. Paul adds "according to the law" to show that he was introduced to Christianity by a devout Jew and no law-breaker (Lewin).
I looked up on him ( αναβλεψα εις αυτον ). First aorist active indicative and same word as αναβλεψον (Receive thy sight). Hence here the verb means as the margin of the Revised Version has it: "I received my sight and looked upon him." For "look up" see Joh 9:11.
Hath appointed thee ( προεχειρισατο ). First aorist middle indicative of προχειριζω, old verb to put forth into one's hands, to take into one's hands beforehand, to plan, propose, determine. In the N.T. only in Ac 3:20; 22:14; 26:16. Three infinitives after this verb of God's purpose about Paul:
to know ( γνωνα, second aorist active of γινωσκω ) his will,
to see ( ιδειν, second aorist active of οραω ) the Righteous One (cf. 3:14),
to hear ( ακουσα, first aorist active of ακουω ) a voice from his mouth.
A witness for him ( μαρτυς αυτω ). As in 1:8.
Of what ( ων ). Attraction of the accusative relative α to the genitive case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτων.
Thou hast seen and heard ( εωρακας, present perfect active indicative κα ηκουσας, first aorist active indicative). This subtle change of tense is not preserved in the English. Blass properly cites the perfect εωρακα in 1Co 9:1 as proof of Paul's enduring qualification for the apostleship.
By baptized ( βαπτισα ). First aorist middle (causative), not passive, Get thyself baptized (Robertson, Grammar, p. 808). Cf. 1Co 10:2. Submit yourself to baptism. So as to απολουσα, Get washed off as in 1Co 6:11. It is possible, as in 2:38, to take these words as teaching baptismal remission or salvation by means of baptism, but to do so is in my opinion a complete subversion of Paul's vivid and picturesque language. As in Ro 6:4-6 where baptism is the picture of death, burial and resurrection, so here baptism pictures the change that had already taken place when Paul surrendered to Jesus on the way (verse 10). Baptism here pictures the washing away of sins by the blood of Christ.
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