Act 9:10-18 | RWP | e4.org | Ananias ( Hανανιας ). Name common enough (cf. for another Ananias) and means "Jehovah is gracious." Nomen et omen (Knowling). This Ananias had the respect of both Jews and Christians in Damascus ( ). In a vision ( εν οραματ ). Zeller and others scout the idea of the historicity of this vision as supernatural. Even Furneaux holds that "it is a characteristic of the Jewish Christian sources to point out the Providential ordering of events by the literary device of a vision," as "in the early chapters of Matthew's and Luke's Gospels." He is content with this "beautiful expression of the belief" with no interest in the actual facts. But that is plain illusion, not to say delusion, and makes both Paul and Luke deceived by the story of Ananias ( ; , ). One MS. of the old Latin Version does omit the vision to Ananias and that is basis enough for those who deny the supernatural aspects of Christianity.

‏ Acts 9:10-18

Ananias ( Hανανιας ). Name common enough (cf. 5:1 for another Ananias) and means "Jehovah is gracious." Nomen et omen (Knowling). This Ananias had the respect of both Jews and Christians in Damascus (22:12).

In a vision ( εν οραματ ). Zeller and others scout the idea of the historicity of this vision as supernatural. Even Furneaux holds that "it is a characteristic of the Jewish Christian sources to point out the Providential ordering of events by the literary device of a vision," as "in the early chapters of Matthew's and Luke's Gospels." He is content with this "beautiful expression of the belief" with no interest in the actual facts. But that is plain illusion, not to say delusion, and makes both Paul and Luke deceived by the story of Ananias (9:10-18; 22:12-16, 26). One MS. of the old Latin Version does omit the vision to Ananias and that is basis enough for those who deny the supernatural aspects of Christianity.

To the street ( επ την ρυμην ). See on Lu 14:21. A run way (from ρεω, to run) between the houses. So were the narrow lanes or alleys called streets and finally in later Greek the word is applied to streets even when broad.

Straight ( ευθειαν ). Most of the city lanes were crooked like the streets of Boston (old cow-paths, people say), but this one still runs "in a direct line from the eastern to the western gate of the city" (Vincent). Since the ancients usually rebuilt on the same sites, it is probable that the line of the street of that name today is the same, though the actual level has been much raised. Hence the identification of the house of Ananias and the house of Judas are very precarious.

Coming in and laying ( εισελθοντα κα επιθεντα ). Second aorist (ingressive) active participles picturing the punctiliar act as a sort of indirect discourse after verbs of sensation (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1040-2). Some ancient documents do not have "in a vision" here.

Receive his sight ( αναβλεψε ). First aorist active subjunctive with οπως (purpose). See again as in 9:17.

How much evil ( οσα κακα ). How many evil things. Saul's reputation (26:10) as a persecutor had preceded him.

To thy saints ( τοις αγιοις ). Dative of disadvantage. "Used here for the first time as a name for the Christians" (Knowling), but it came to be the common and normal (Hackett) term for followers of Christ (9:32, 41; 26:10; 1Co 1:2, etc.). This common word is from το αγος, religious awe or reverence and is applied to God's name (Lu 1:49), God's temple (Mt 24:15), God's people as set apart for God (Lu 1:70; 2:23; Ro 1:7, etc.). Ananias in his ignorance saw in Saul only the man with an evil reputation while Jesus saw in Saul the man transformed by grace to be a messenger of mercy.

Hath authority ( εχε εξουσιαν ). Probably Ananias had received letters from the Christians left in Jerusalem warning him of the coming of Saul. The protest of Ananias to Jesus against any dealing with Saul is a fine illustration of our own narrow ignorance in our rebellious moods against the will of God.

A chosen vessel ( σκευος εκλογης ). A vessel of choice or selection. The genitive of quality is common in the Hebrew, as in the vernacular Koine. Jesus chose Saul before Saul chose Jesus. He felt of himself that he was an earthen vessel (2Co 4:7) unworthy of so great a treasure. It was a great message that Ananias had to bear to Saul. He told it in his own way (9:17; 22:14f.) and in 26:16f. Paul blends the message of Jesus to Ananias with that to him as one.

Before the Gentiles ( ενωπιον των εθνων ). This was the chief element in the call of Saul. He was to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Eph 3:6-12).

I will shew ( υποδειξω ). Beforehand as a warning as in Lu 3:7 and from time to time.

He must suffer ( δε αυτον παθειν ). Constative aorist active infinitive ( παθειν, from πασχω ) covering the whole career of Saul. Suffering is one element in the call that Saul receives. He will learn "how many things" ( οσα ) are included in this list by degrees and by experience. A glance at 2Co 10-12 will show one the fulfilment of this prophecy. But it was the "gift" of Christ to Paul to go on suffering ( πασχειν, present infinitive, Php 1:39).

Laying his hands on him ( επιθεις επ' αυτον τας χειρας ). As in the vision Saul saw (verse 12).

Brother Saul ( Σαουλ αδελφε ). All suspicion has vanished and Ananias takes Saul to his heart as a brother in Christ. It was a gracious word to Saul now under suspicion on both sides.

The Lord, even Jesus ( ο κυριοσ, Ιησους ). Undoubted use of κυριος as Lord and applied to Jesus.

Who appeared ( ο οφθεις ). First aorist passive participle of οραω, was seen as in 26:16 and with the dative also ( σο ).

Thou camest ( ηρχου ). Imperfect indicative middle, "thou wert coming."

Be filled with the Holy Spirit ( πλησθεις πνευματος αγιου ). This enduement of special power he will need as an apostle (Hackett) and as promised by Jesus (1:8; Ga 2:7).

Fell off ( απεπεσαν ). Second aorist active indicative (note--an ending like first aorist) of αποπιπτω, old verb, but here alone in the N.T.

As if it were scales ( ως λεπιδες ). Chiefly late word (LXX) from λεπω, to peel, and only here in the N.T. See Tobit 11:13, "The white film peeled from his eyes" ( ελεπισθη ). Luke does not say that actual "scales" fell from the eyes of Saul, but that it felt that way to him as his sight returned, "as if" ( ως ). Medical writers use the word λεπις for pieces of the skin that fall off (Hobart, Medical Language of St. Luke, p. 39). Luke may have heard Paul tell of this vivid experience.

Was baptized ( εβαπτισθη ). First aorist passive indicative. Apparently by Ananias (22:16) as a symbol of the new life in Christ already begun, possibly in the pool in the house of Judas as today water is plentiful in Damascus or in Abana or Pharpar (Furneaux), better than all the waters of Israel according to Naaman (2Ki 5:12).