Acts 9 8

Acts 9:8 kjv

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

Acts 9:8 nkjv

Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

Acts 9:8 niv

Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.

Acts 9:8 esv

Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

Acts 9:8 nlt

Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 8 Meaning

Acts 9:8 describes Saul's immediate physical state following his encounter with the risen Jesus. After prostrating himself, he rose from the ground. Despite his eyes being physically open, he could perceive nothing around him, rendering him truly blind. Consequently, those with him had to physically guide him by the hand into the city of Damascus. This verse signifies a profound and instantaneous shift in Saul's physical capability, marking a dramatic humbling and a moment of utter dependence, in direct contrast to his former authority and self-sufficiency as a persecutor.

Acts 9 8 Context

Acts chapter 9 introduces Saul as a fervent persecutor of the Way, sanctioned by the high priest to arrest Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:1-2). On his journey, he is abruptly confronted by the resurrected Jesus in a blinding light and an audible voice (Acts 9:3-7). This divine intervention fundamentally disrupts his mission and redirects his life. Verse 8 immediately follows this dramatic encounter, depicting the immediate physical aftermath and Saul's helplessness. The broader context highlights Jesus' direct intervention in Saul's life, his subsequent blindness as a physical manifestation of his previous spiritual blindness, and his forced dependence, preparing him for the complete transformation that will occur through Ananias in Damascus. Historically, Damascus was a significant Roman city with a Jewish population and a growing Christian community, making it a key destination for Saul's persecution campaign.

Acts 9 8 Word analysis

• And (δὲ - de): A transitional particle, indicating a natural sequence of events or a slight shift, leading from Saul's prostration to his attempt to rise.
• Saul (Σαῦλος - Saulos): His Jewish name, retained until his missionary journeys when he is called Paul (Acts 13:9). Signifies his pre-conversion identity as a prominent Jewish persecutor.
• arose (ἀνηγέρθη - anēgerthē): From ἀνίστημι (anistēmi), meaning "to stand up" or "to raise." The aorist passive tense here indicates a completed action where Saul was the recipient of an impetus to rise, though he did so in weakness. It parallels the idea of rising from spiritual death.
• from the ground (ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς - apo tēs gēs): Highlights his previous prostrate position, an posture often signifying humility, defeat, worship, or utter incapacitation before divine power. He rose from a state of total submission or impact.
• and when his eyes were opened (ἀνεῳγμένων δὲ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ - aneōgmenōn de tōn ophthalmōn autou): Lit. "his eyes having been opened." The perfect passive participle indicates a state of having been opened. The irony is poignant: his eyes are physically open, yet he sees nothing, a paradox that emphasizes the spiritual blindness that permeated his former life.
• he saw no man (οὐδένα ἔβλεπεν - oudena eblepen): Oudena means "no one" or "nothing." Eblepen is in the imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous state or an attempt to see, emphasizing his complete lack of perception. This profound sensory deprivation is a direct result of the dazzling divine light and Jesus's rebuke. It represents a purging of his previous worldly perception.
• but (δὲ - de): Another connective, introducing a contrasting or consequential action.
• they led him by the hand (χειραγωγοῦντες δὲ αὐτὸν - cheiragōgountes de auton): From χειραγωγέω (cheiragōgeō), literally "to hand-lead," specific to leading a blind or infirm person. This word starkly contrasts his former journey of "leading" persecutions and signifies his utter dependence. The mighty persecutor is now utterly helpless, needing guidance like a child.
• and brought him (ἤγαγον - ēgagon): Simple past tense, showing the action completed by his companions.
• into Damascus (εἰς Δαμασκόν - eis Damaskon): His original destination, but now entered in a completely transformed and helpless state, not as a captor but as a captive of divine purpose.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "arose from the ground... he saw no man": This phrase captures the immediate consequence of the divine encounter. Though he physically recovers from his fall, his physical sight is gone. This spiritual paradox emphasizes that the encounter granted him spiritual insight into Christ's true identity while physically incapacitating him, preparing him for a new form of "seeing." His blindness represents both a judgment for his previous misguided zeal and a necessary condition for receiving true revelation.
• "but they led him by the hand": This phrase dramatically highlights Saul's complete reversal of power and independence. He, who was the embodiment of human power and religious zeal, journeying with letters of authority to bind and lead Christians, is now reduced to the ultimate state of dependence. This moment underscores his humbling and his submission to the new path God has laid before him, demonstrating God's sovereignty over human will.

Acts 9 8 Bonus section

The temporary physical blindness experienced by Saul serves as a powerful theological metaphor for the spiritual blindness that afflicts those outside Christ. His recovery of sight, facilitated by Ananias, not only restores his physical vision but profoundly symbolizes the removal of the scales of misunderstanding from his heart, enabling him to truly see Christ as Lord and embrace his new identity as a believer and apostle. This transformation is not merely a change of mind but a radical reorientation of his entire being, orchestrated by God's sovereign power and grace.

Acts 9 8 Commentary

Acts 9:8 succinctly describes Saul's immediate post-encounter state, acting as a crucial bridge between his encounter with Jesus and his healing and baptism. His physical blindness is multi-layered: it's a direct result of encountering divine glory too powerful for human eyes, a symbol of his prior spiritual blindness (despite believing himself "seeing"), and a period of forced solitude and introspection before his true mission is revealed. Being "led by the hand" is a powerful image of God stripping away his self-sufficiency, authority, and control. The one who came to lead a persecution is now passively led, a physical sign of his complete submission to a new, divine leadership. This vulnerability forces Saul to confront his own powerlessness and prepare for the ultimate revelation and commissioning he would receive in Damascus, transforming him from persecutor to apostle.