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Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:4

Saul fell to the earth, struck with the amazing light and terrible voice of Christ; as also with the sense of the presence of God, which he knew was thus reverenced by Daniel, Daniel 8:17; Daniel 10:9. Saul, Saul; the name Saul is the rather mentioned, to mind him and us of his persecuting of Christ in his members, as his name sake had persecuted David, who was a type of Christ; and it is ingeminated, or doubled, not only to rouse and awaken Saul, but to testify his love to him, and... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:5

Who art thou, Lord? Saul was in a great consternation and doubting, whether it was God, or an angel. Jesus whom thou persecutest: though he did not intend this persecution against Christ, yet our Saviour looks upon the good or evil done unto his members as done unto himself. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks: this kicking against the pricks is a proverbial speech, taken either from oxen or slaves, whom they used with goads to prick on to their work, which when they kicked against,... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:6

Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Saul, being thoroughly humbled, and brought to resign himself wholly to God, makes this question, giving up himself as a white paper, for Christ to write what he would upon: he had thought he had done God good service, (as it is said many persecutors should think so too, John 16:2), but he is now powerfully brought off from his obstinacy in that persuasion. Go into the city; Damascus, which was near at hand. Whether Christ revealed his gospel now unto him, or... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:7

Stood speechless: in Acts 26:14, these men are said to be fallen to the earth as well as Saul, which they might at first be, and now rose up; or rather, by standing still here is only meant, they, being sorely amazed, remained in the place in which they were, without going forward: thus the angel forbade Lot and his family to stay or stand in the plain, Genesis 19:17, meaning that they should hasten forward. Hearing a voice; the greater difficulty is, to reconcile these words with Acts 22:9,... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:8

When his eyes were opened; when he opened his eyes as at other times, when he did rise to see, the glorious light had so dazzled him, that he could see nothing: thus Saul as, and all men are, before their conversion; he had the shape of a man, and of one learned in the law, when notwithsanding he is blind, and sees or knows nothing as he ought to know. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:9

Some have thought that in these three days Paul had that rapture into the third heavens, which he speaks of, 2 Corinthians 12:2; but that seems rather to have been afterwards; God would, however, by this humble and try him, and excite his dependence wholly upon him, and that he might value his restored sight the more. Neither did eat nor drink; that by fasting he might be more intent in prayer; for fasting does prepare for prayer, and therefore fasting and prayer are so often put together,... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:10

Ananias; he was of good repute for zeal and holiness. as appears, Acts 22:12, but whether he was one of the seventy disciples which our Saviour sent out, Luke 10:1, as some will have, is not certain. He said, Behold, I am here, Lord; thereby showing his willingness to be sent on God’s message, and to do as God should bid him, as Samuel to Eli, 1 Samuel 3:5. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:11

Inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul: God telleth our wanderings, and knoweth our abode, and mindeth his, especially in their sorrows, which was Saul’s case. For, behold, he prayeth; he spent those three days, spoken of Acts 9:9, in acts of great humiliation, in which he would also not taste any food; this is revealed to Ananias, that he might not fear to go unto him. A great change! Is Saul also amongst them that pray? A greater wonder than that the other Saul was formerly amongst... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:12

If this verse be the words of St. Luke, continuing the history, then they must be included in a parenthesis, the sense being entire without them; but they seem to be the words of the Lord continued to Ananias, telling him how he had provided for his welcome to Saul, contrary to his expectation. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 9:13

I have heard by many of this man; his design and commission could not but be noised abroad. Thy saints: the disciples of Christ are called saints, because: 1. They are dedicated unto the Lord in their baptism. 2. They are called unto holiness. 3. They did then live holily and exemplarily. 4. And so must all that hope for any benefit by their being disciples of Christ, &c. read more

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