Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Acts 9:3 says, "Now as he [that is, Saul] journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him." (The narrative says "him", not "them".)

I would say that, although the men who were with Saul heard the voice of Christ speaking to Saul, the light from heaven and the vision of Christ were intended specifically and exclusively for Saul (and not for the men who were with him), for the purpose of convincing Saul of the risen Christ's reality, power, and identity as God, and also for the purpose of blinding him. (The reasons why he was blinded are discussed in the eBible question, "Why did Jesus blind Saul?")

Also, because the men who were with Saul were not blinded, they were subsequently able to lead him into Damascus. This allowed Saul to concentrate on the vision that he had seen, rather than having him (along with the rest of his party) be distracted by the question of how they were now going to get to Damascus if all of them had been blind.

May 24 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Good question, Pete! When Saul encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, a blinding light from heaven shone all around him (Acts 9:3). The men traveling with him also saw the light and heard a sound, but they didn’t see Jesus or understand the words spoken (Acts 22:9). This moment was deeply personal, intended specifically for Saul. Jesus said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5), and from that moment on, Saul’s life was never the same. The blindness was both literal and symbolic: it forced him to stop, depend on others, and receive healing on God’s terms (Acts 9:8-9, 17-18). God chose Saul for a special purpose: “to carry my name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15). The men with him were witnesses, but they weren’t called the way Saul was. Like many today, they saw the light, but Saul truly saw the Light of the world and was forever changed (John 8:12).

I can relate to what Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” That verse became real to me when I realized I’d been walking in my own direction for too long. I knew about God, but I didn’t really know Him. Then one day, in His mercy, He opened my eyes, not with a blinding light like Saul’s, but with the quiet, unmistakable truth that I needed Him. And since then, I’ve followed that Light, imperfectly at times, but never in the dark again. And now I love singing "I Saw the Light" gospel song by Hank Williams along with all other devoted Christians!

5 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report