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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 9:26 - 9:30
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_9:26-30
26When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
Act_9:26 "he came to Jerusalem" This was apparently eighteen to thirty-six months later (cf. Gal_1:15-24). This verse shows the level of skepticism in which the Jerusalem believers held their former persecutor. Apparently Acts records several of Paul's visits to Jerusalem after his dramatic conversion.
1. Act_9:26, first visit
2. Act_11:30, relief visit
3. Act_12:25, after mission
4. Act_15:2, Jerusalem Council
5. Act_18:22, brief visit with the church
6. Act_21:17, visit with James and the elders and resulting Nazarite vow and arrest
Act_9:27 "Barnabas" The popular meaning, though not etymological, was "son of encouragement." This was the great saint mentioned back in Act_4:36 who later became Paul's first missionary companion. See full note and Special Topic at Act_4:36.
▣ "brought him to the apostles" The only other account is Gal_1:18.
▣ "and described to them" Barnabas knew and shared Saul's testimony. This opened the door to his acceptance (cf. Act_9:28).
Act_9:28
NASB "moving about freely"
NKJV "coming in and going out"
NRSV "went in and out"
TEV "went all over"
NJB "to go around"
This is an OT idiom of everyday life or activity (cf. Num_27:17; 1Ki_3:7).
Act_9:29 "he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews" This refers to the same group (synagogues of Greek-speaking Jews in Jerusalem) who killed Stephen; now they are planning to kill Saul, who was also a Jew from the diaspora. They must have thought Stephen had returned!
Act_9:30 "when the brethren learned of it" From Act_22:17-21 we learn that Jesus appeared to Paul at this time to tell him to flee Jerusalem. Jesus appeared to Paul several times during his ministry to encourage and guide him (cf. Act_18:9-11; Act_22:17-21; and an angel of the Lord in Act_27:23).
▣ "Caesarea" This refers to the Roman seaport on the Mediterranean coast of Palestine. This was the official headquarters of the Roman government in Palestine.
▣ "Tarsus" Paul is going to drop out of sight now for several years in his home town. Tarsus was a free city. It was also the third largest center of learning in the ancient world, behind Alexandria and Athens. The universities in Tarsus emphasized philosophy, rhetoric, and law. Paul was obviously trained both in Greek rhetoric and philosophy as well as rabbinical Judaism.