8 "And I answered , 'Who are You, Lord ?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene , whom you are persecuting .' 9 "And those who were with me saw the light , to be sure , but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 "And I said , ' What shall I do , Lord ?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus , and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do .' 11 "But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light , I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus . 12 "A certain Ananias , a man who was devout by the standard of the Law , and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, ' Brother Saul , receive your sight !' And at that very time I looked up at him. 14 "And he said , ' The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth . 15 'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard . 16 'Now why do you delay ? Get up and be baptized , and wash away your sins , calling on His name .'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 22:8-16
Commentary on Acts 22:1-11
(Read Acts 22:1-11)
The apostle addressed the enraged multitude, in the customary style of respect and good-will. Paul relates the history of his early life very particularly; he notices that his conversion was wholly the act of God. Condemned sinners are struck blind by the power of darkness, and it is a lasting blindness, like that of the unbelieving Jews. Convinced sinners are struck blind as Paul was, not by darkness, but by light. They are for a time brought to be at a loss within themselves, but it is in order to their being enlightened. A simple relation of the Lord's dealings with us, in bringing us, from opposing, to profess and promote his gospel, when delivered in a right spirit and manner, will sometimes make more impression that laboured speeches, even though it amounts not to the full proof of the truth, such as was shown in the change wrought in the apostle.
Commentary on Acts 22:12-21
(Read Acts 22:12-21)
The apostle goes on to relate how he was confirmed in the change he had made. The Lord having chosen the sinner, that he should know his will, he is humbled, enlightened, and brought to the knowledge of Christ and his blessed gospel. Christ is here called that Just One; for he is Jesus Christ the righteous. Those whom God has chosen to know his will, must look to Jesus, for by him God has made known his good-will to us. The great gospel privilege, sealed to us by baptism, is the pardon of sins. Be baptized, and wash away thy sins; that is, receive the comfort of the pardon of thy sins in and through Jesus Christ, and lay hold on his righteousness for that purpose; and receive power against sin, for the mortifying of thy corruptions. Be baptized, and rest not in the sign, but make sure of the thing signified, the putting away of the filth of sin. The great gospel duty, to which by our baptism we are bound, is, to seek for the pardon of our sins in Christ's name, and in dependence on him and his righteousness. God appoints his labourers their day and their place, and it is fit they should follow his appointment, though it may cross their own will. Providence contrives better for us than we do for ourselves; we must refer ourselves to God's guidance. If Christ send any one, his Spirit shall go along with him, and give him to see the fruit of his labours. But nothing can reconcile man's heart to the gospel, except the special grace of God.