22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ .
23 When many days had elapsed , the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul . They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death ; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall , lowering e him in a large basket .
26 When 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 . 27 But 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 . 28 And he was with them, moving e e about e e freely e e in Jerusalem , speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord . 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death . 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus . 31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace , being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit , it continued to increase .
32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda . 33 There he found a man named Aeneas , who had been bedridden e e eight years , for he was paralyzed . 34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas , Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed ." Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord .
36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas ); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did . 37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died ; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room . 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa , the disciples , having heard that Peter was there e , sent two men to him, imploring him, "Do not delay in coming to us." 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived , they brought him into the upper room ; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt e down e and prayed , and turning to the body , he said , " Tabitha , arise ." And she opened her eyes , and when she saw Peter , she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows , he presented her alive . 42 It became known all over Joppa , and many believed in the Lord . 43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 9:22-43
Commentary on Acts 9:10-22
(Read Acts 9:10-22)
A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation! Now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; before, he said his prayers, now, he prayed them. Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find a living man without breath, as a living Christian without prayer. Yet even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes stagger at the commands of the Lord. But it is the Lord's glory to surpass our scanty expectations, and show that those are vessels of his mercy whom we are apt to consider as objects of his vengeance. The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavours to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions.
Commentary on Acts 9:23-31
(Read Acts 9:23-31)
When we enter into the way of God, we must look for trials; but the Lord knows how to deliver the godly, and will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape. Though Saul's conversion was and is a proof of the truth of Christianity, yet it could not, of itself, convert one soul at enmity with the truth; for nothing can produce true faith, but that power which new-creates the heart. Believers are apt to be too suspicious of those against whom they have prejudices. The world is full of deceit, and it is necessary to be cautious, but we must exercise charity, 21. Christ's witnesses cannot be slain till they have finished their testimony. The persecutions were stayed. The professors of the gospel walked uprightly, and enjoyed much comfort from the Holy Ghost, in the hope and peace of the gospel, and others were won over to them. They lived upon the comfort of the Holy Ghost, not only in the days of trouble and affliction, but in days of rest and prosperity. Those are most likely to walk cheerfully, who walk circumspectly.
Commentary on Acts 9:32-35
(Read Acts 9:32-35)
Christians are saints, or holy people; not only the eminent ones, as Saint Peter and Saint Paul, but every sincere professor of the faith of Christ. Christ chose patients whose diseases were incurable in the course of nature, to show how desperate was the case of fallen mankind. When we were wholly without strength, as this poor man, he sent his word to heal us. Peter does not pretend to heal by any power of his own, but directs Eneas to look up to Christ for help. Let none say, that because it is Christ, who, by the power of his grace, works all our works in us, therefore we have no work, no duty to do; for though Jesus Christ makes thee whole, yet thou must arise, and use the power he gives thee.
Commentary on Acts 9:36-43
(Read Acts 9:36-43)
Many are full of good words, who are empty and barren in good works; but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker. Christians who have not property to give in charity, may yet be able to do acts of charity, working with their hands, or walking with their feet, for the good of others. Those are certainly best praised whose own works praise them, whether the words of others do so or not. But such are ungrateful indeed, who have kindness shown them, and will not acknowledge it, by showing the kindness that is done them. While we live upon the fulness of Christ for our whole salvation, we should desire to be full of good works, for the honour of his name, and for the benefit of his saints. Such characters as Dorcas are useful where they dwell, as showing the excellency of the word of truth by their lives. How mean then the cares of the numerous females who seek no distinction but outward decoration, and who waste their lives in the trifling pursuits of dress and vanity! Power went along with the word, and Dorcas came to life. Thus in the raising of dead souls to spiritual life, the first sign of life is the opening of the eyes of the mind. Here we see that the Lord can make up every loss; that he overrules every event for the good of those who trust in him, and for the glory of his name.