扫罗归主

扫罗继续用凶狠的话恐吓主的门徒。他去见大祭司, 要取得授权书到大马士革的各会堂搜捕信耶稣的人,无论男女,都要把他们押回耶路撒冷。

当他快到大马士革的时候,突然有一道光从天上射下来,四面照着他。 他倒在地上,听见有声音对他说:“扫罗!扫罗!你为什么迫害我?” 他说:“主啊,你是谁?”那声音说:“我就是你所迫害的耶稣。 起来!进城去,有人会告诉你该做的事。”

同行的人站在那里只听见声音,却看不见人,吓得张口结舌。 扫罗爬起来,睁大眼睛,却什么也看不见,同伴拉着他的手进了大马士革。 一连三天,扫罗什么也看不见,也不吃也不喝。

10 这时候,在大马士革有个门徒名叫亚拿尼亚,他在异象中听见主呼唤他的名字,就回答说:“主啊,我在这里。”

11 主说:“起来,到直街的犹大家去见一个来自大数、名叫扫罗的人,他正在向我祷告。 12 我让他在异象中看见一个名叫亚拿尼亚的人去他那里,把手按在他身上,使他恢复视力。”

13 亚拿尼亚回答说:“主啊!我听见许多人说他对耶路撒冷的信徒大加迫害。 14 他来这里是得到祭司长的授权,要拘捕所有求告你名的人。”

15 主对亚拿尼亚说:“你放心去吧!他是我拣选的器皿,要向外族人、君王和以色列人宣扬我的名。 16 我会让他知道他必为我的名而受许多的苦。”

17 亚拿尼亚去了,进了那家,就把手按在扫罗身上,说:“扫罗弟兄,在你来的路上向你显现的主耶稣派我来使你重见光明、被圣灵充满。” 18 顿时,扫罗的眼睛上有鳞片似的东西脱落,他立刻恢复了视力,便起来接受了洗礼。 19 他吃过东西之后,体力也恢复了。他和大马士革的门徒住了几天之后, 20 便到各会堂去宣讲:“耶稣是上帝的儿子。”

21 听的人都大吃一惊,说:“他不就是那在耶路撒冷迫害信徒的人吗?他到这里来不是要把大马士革的信徒押去见祭司长吗?”

22 但扫罗越发有能力,引经据典证明耶稣是基督,使大马士革的犹太人惊慌失措。

扫罗逃生

23 过了一段日子,犹太人图谋杀死扫罗。 24 他们昼夜在城门守候,伺机下手,但这阴谋被扫罗知道了。 25 他的门徒趁夜间用筐子把他从城墙上缒下去。

26 扫罗逃到耶路撒冷后,曾设法与当地的门徒联络,可是他们都怕他,不相信他是门徒。 27 只有巴拿巴接待他,带他去见使徒,向他们陈述扫罗如何在路上遇见主,主如何对他说话,他又如何勇敢地在大马士革奉耶稣的名传道。 28 于是,扫罗就在耶路撒冷与使徒一起出入来往,奉主的名放胆传道。 29 他常常跟那些讲希腊话的犹太人辩论,于是他们打算杀掉他。 30 弟兄姊妹知道这消息后,就把扫罗带到凯撒利亚,然后送他到大数去。

31 当时,犹太、加利利、撒玛利亚各地的教会都很平安,得到了坚固。信徒们非常敬畏主,又得到圣灵的安慰,人数越来越多。

彼得医治瘫子

32 彼得四处奔波,来到吕大探访那里的信徒, 33 遇见一个已经卧床八年、名叫以尼雅的瘫子。 34 彼得对他说:“以尼雅,耶稣基督已经医好你了,起来收拾你的垫子吧!”他立刻应声而起。 35 吕大和沙仑的居民看见他,都归向了主。

彼得使死人复活

36 在约帕有个乐善好施的女信徒名叫戴碧达,希腊话叫多加,意思是“羚羊”。 37 当时,她患病死了。有人将她的尸体洗干净后,停放在楼上。 38 吕大和约帕相距不远,门徒听说彼得在吕大,就派两个人赶去请他立刻来约帕。 39 彼得便随他们一同到了那里,有人领他上楼。众寡妇都站在彼得周围哭,并把多加生前缝制的内衣、外衣给他看。

40 彼得叫她们都出去,自己跪下祷告,然后转身对死者说:“戴碧达,起来!”她便睁开了眼睛,看见彼得,就坐了起来。 41 彼得伸手扶她起来后,叫那些在外面等候的门徒和寡妇进来,把活过来的多加交给他们。 42 这事传遍了整个约帕,许多人都信了主。 43 彼得继续留在约帕,在当地一个名叫西门的皮革匠家住了好些日子。

掃羅悔改歸主(A)

掃羅仍向主的門徒發恐嚇兇殺的話。他到大祭司那裡, 要求他發公函給大馬士革各會堂,如果發現奉行這道的人,准他連男帶女緝拿到耶路撒冷。 他快到大馬士革的時候,忽然有光從天上向他四面照射。 他仆倒在地,聽見有聲音對他說:“掃羅,掃羅!你為甚麼迫害我?” 他說:“主啊,你是誰?”主說:“我就是你所迫害的耶穌。 起來,進城去!你應當作的事,一定有人告訴你。” 同行的人,聽見聲音,卻看不見人,只是目瞪口呆地站在那裡。 掃羅從地上爬起來,睜開眼睛,卻甚麼也看不見。他們牽著他的手,領他進大馬士革。 他三天都不能看見甚麼,不吃也不喝。

10 在大馬士革,有一個門徒名叫亞拿尼亞,主在異象中對他說:“亞拿尼亞!”他說:“主啊,我在這裡。” 11 主說:“起來,到那叫直街的路上去,要在猶大家裡找一個大數人,名叫掃羅。你看,他正在禱告, 12 在異象中他看見一個人,名叫亞拿尼亞,進來為他按手,使他可以再看得見。” 13 但亞拿尼亞回答:“主啊,我聽見許多人說起這個人,他在耶路撒冷作了許多苦害你聖徒的事; 14 並且他在這裡得到祭司長的授權,要捆綁所有求告你名的人。” 15 主對他說:“你去吧!這人是我揀選的器皿,為要把我的名傳給外族人、君王和以色列人。 16 我要指示他,為了我的名他必須受許多的苦。” 17 亞拿尼亞就去了,進了那家,為掃羅按手,說:“掃羅弟兄,在你來的路上向你顯現的耶穌,就是主,差我來使你可以看見,又被聖靈充滿。” 18 立刻有鱗狀的東西,從掃羅的眼裡掉下來,他就能看見了。於是起來,受了洗, 19 吃過了飯,就有氣力了。

掃羅在大馬士革傳道

他和大馬士革的門徒一同住了幾天, 20 隨即在各會堂傳講耶穌,說他是 神的兒子。 21 聽見的人都很驚奇,說:“在耶路撒冷殘害求告這名的,不是這個人嗎?他來這裡不是要緝拿他們交給祭司長嗎?” 22 然而掃羅更加有能力,駁倒住在大馬士革的猶太人,證明耶穌是基督。

掃羅逃脫猶太人的謀害

23 過了許多日子,猶太人商議要殺掉掃羅; 24 但他們的計謀給掃羅知道了。他們就在各城門日夜把守,要殺掉他。 25 於是他的門徒就趁夜用大籃子把他從城牆上縋下去。

26 掃羅到了耶路撒冷,想要接近門徒,但大家都怕他,不信他是個門徒。 27 只有巴拿巴接待他,帶他去見使徒,把他怎樣在路上看見主,主向他說話,和他怎樣在大馬士革奉耶穌的名放膽講道,都講了出來。 28 於是掃羅在耶路撒冷和門徒一同出入,奉主的名放膽講道, 29 並且與講希臘話的猶太人談論辯駁,那些人卻想下手殺他。 30 弟兄們知道了,就送他到該撒利亞,差他往大數去。

31 那時猶太、加利利、撒瑪利亞各處的教會,都得到平安,被建立起來,存著敬畏主的心過生活,並且因著聖靈的激勵,人數增多起來。

彼得醫好以尼雅

32 彼得周遊各地的時候,也到了住在呂大的聖徒那裡。 33 他遇見一個人,名叫以尼雅,害了癱瘓病,在床上躺臥了八年。 34 彼得對他說:“以尼雅,耶穌基督醫好你了!起來,收好你的褥子!”他就立刻起來。 35 所有住在呂大和沙崙的人,看見了他就歸向主。

彼得使多加復活

36 在約帕有一個女門徒,名叫戴比莎,希臘話叫多加;她為人樂善好施。 37 那時,她因病死了;有人把她洗淨了,停放在樓上。 38 呂大靠近約帕,門徒聽說彼得在那邊,就派兩個人去求他,說:“請到我們那邊去,不要耽延!” 39 彼得就動身,跟他們一同去。到了之後,他們領他上樓。所有寡婦站在彼得旁邊哭,把多加和她們在一起的時候所做的內衣外衣拿給他看。 40 彼得叫大家出去之後,就跪下來禱告,然後轉過身來對著屍體說:“戴比莎,起來!”她就睜開眼睛,一看見彼得,就坐了起來。 41 彼得伸手扶她起來,叫聖徒們和寡婦都進來,把多加活活地交給他們。 42 這事傳遍了約帕,就有很多人信了主。 43 此後,彼得在約帕一個製皮工人西門的家裡住了許多日子。

Saul’s Conversion on the Damascus Road

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and[a] asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them[b] tied up[c] to Jerusalem. Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting! But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.”[d] (Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they[e] heard the voice but saw no one.) So Saul got up from the ground, but although[f] his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was unable to see[g] for three days, and he did not eat or drink.

Ananias Sent to Saul

10 Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named[h] Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Behold, here I am, Lord!” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up, go to the street called ‘Straight’ and in the house of Judas look for a man named Saul from Tarsus.[i] For behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named[j] Ananias coming in and placing hands[k] on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up[l] all who call upon your name!” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles[m] and kings and the sons of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing his[n] hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight and got up and[o] was baptized, 19 and after[p] taking food, he regained his strength. And he was with the disciples in Damascus several days.

Saul Proclaims Christ in Damascus

20 And immediately he began proclaiming[q] Jesus in the synagogues: “This one is the Son of God!” 21 And all who heard him[r] were amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who was wreaking havoc in Jerusalem on those who call upon this name, and had come here for this reason, that he could bring them tied up[s] to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by[t] proving that this one is the Christ.[u]

23 And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul, and they were also watching the gates both day and night so that they could do away with him. 25 But his disciples took him[v] at night and[w] let him down through the wall by[x] lowering him[y] in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 And when he[z] arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they[aa] did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and[ab] brought him[ac] to the apostles and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews,[ad] but they were trying to do away with him. 30 And when[ae] the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.[af]

Aeneas Healed

32 Now it happened that as[ag] Peter was traveling through all the places,[ah] he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33 And he found there a certain man named[ai] Aeneas who was paralyzed, who had been lying on a mat[aj] for eight years. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed yourself!” And immediately he got up. 35 And all those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, who all[ak] indeed turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Raised

36 Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple named[al] Tabitha (which translated means “Dorcas”).[am] She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.[an] 37 Now it happened that in those days after[ao] becoming sick, she died. And after[ap] washing her,[aq] they placed her in an upstairs room. 38 And because[ar] Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they[as] heard that Peter was in Lydda,[at] sent two men to him, urging, “Do not delay to come to us!” 39 So Peter got up and[au] accompanied them. When he[av] arrived, they brought him[aw] up to the upstairs room, and all the widows came to him, weeping and showing him[ax] tunics and other clothing that Dorcas used to make while she[ay] was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all outside, and, falling to his[az] knees, he prayed. And turning toward the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she opened her eyes, and when she[ba] saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and[bb] raised her up. And he called the saints and the widows and[bc] presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.[bd]

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:2 Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“went to”) has been translated as a finite verb
  2. Acts 9:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  3. Acts 9:2 Or figuratively “bring them under arrest”
  4. Acts 9:6 Literally “what thing it is necessary that you do”
  5. Acts 9:7 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as causal
  6. Acts 9:8 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the genitive absolute participle (“were open”) which is understood as concessive
  7. Acts 9:9 Literally “not seeing”
  8. Acts 9:10 Literally “by name”
  9. Acts 9:11 Literally “Saul by name of Tarsus”
  10. Acts 9:12 Literally “by name”
  11. Acts 9:12 Some manuscripts have “placing his hands”
  12. Acts 9:14 Or figuratively “to arrest” or “to imprison”
  13. Acts 9:15 The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
  14. Acts 9:17 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  15. Acts 9:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  16. Acts 9:19 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal
  17. Acts 9:20 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began proclaiming”)
  18. Acts 9:21 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  19. Acts 9:21 Or figuratively “bring them under arrest”
  20. Acts 9:22 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“proving”) which is understood as means
  21. Acts 9:22 Or “Messiah”
  22. Acts 9:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  23. Acts 9:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  24. Acts 9:25 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lowering”) which is understood as means
  25. Acts 9:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  26. Acts 9:26 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  27. Acts 9:26 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believe”) which is understood as causal
  28. Acts 9:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  29. Acts 9:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  30. Acts 9:29 Literally “Hellenists”
  31. Acts 9:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found out”) which is understood as temporal
  32. Acts 9:31 *The words “in numbers” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  33. Acts 9:32 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was traveling”) which is understood as temporal
  34. Acts 9:32 *The words “the places” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  35. Acts 9:33 Literally “by name”
  36. Acts 9:33 Or “mattress”
  37. Acts 9:35 Here “all” is supplied to indicate the relative pronoun is plural
  38. Acts 9:36 Literally “by name”
  39. Acts 9:36 “Dorcas” is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name “Tabitha” which means “deer” or “gazelle”
  40. Acts 9:36 *Here the imperfect verb is translated as a customary imperfect (“was constantly doing”)
  41. Acts 9:37 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming sick”) which is understood as temporal
  42. Acts 9:37 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“washing”) which is understood as temporal
  43. Acts 9:37 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  44. Acts 9:38 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as causal
  45. Acts 9:38 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  46. Acts 9:38 Literally “in it”
  47. Acts 9:39 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  48. Acts 9:39 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  49. Acts 9:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  50. Acts 9:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  51. Acts 9:39 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal
  52. Acts 9:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  53. Acts 9:40 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  54. Acts 9:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave”) has been translated as a finite verb
  55. Acts 9:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb
  56. Acts 9:43 Or “with a certain Simon Berseus”; most modern English versions treat the word as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), but the word may actually be a surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”)

Saul’s Conversion(A)

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(D) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(J) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(K) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(L) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(M) him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(N) in Jerusalem.(O) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(P) to arrest all who call on your name.”(Q)

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(R) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(S) and their kings(T) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(U)

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(V) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(W) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(X) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples(Y) in Damascus.(Z) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(AA) that Jesus is the Son of God.(AB) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(AC) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(AD) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(AE)

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(AF) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(AG) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(AH)

26 When he came to Jerusalem,(AI) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(AJ) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(AK) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(AL) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a](AM) but they tried to kill him.(AN) 30 When the believers(AO) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(AP) and sent him off to Tarsus.(AQ)

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(AR) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(AS)

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(AT) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(AU) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AV) saw him and turned to the Lord.(AW)

36 In Joppa(AX) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(AY) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(AZ) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(BA) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(BB) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(BC) then he got down on his knees(BD) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(BE) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(BF) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(BG)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture