Act 9:17-18 | RWP | e4.org | Laying his hands on him ( επιθεις επ' αυτον τας χειρας ). As in the vision Saul saw (verse ). 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 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 ( ; ).

‏ Acts 9:17-18

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).