Atos 9

Atos 9

Constable adds that "Luke included this incident (DAMASCUS PERSECUTION BY JEWS) to prove the genuineness of Saul's conversion. He who had been persecuting to the death believers in Jesus had now become the target of deadly persecution because of his changed view of Jesus." Charles Swindoll's discussion regarding the chronology of Saul's life before his first trip to Jerusalem as a believer (Acts 9:26). The differences between the two options revolve around how one interprets the "three years later" in Gal 1:18. In option one Saul's time in the desert is not specified before he "returned once more to Damascus" (Gal 1:17). Having arrived back in Damascus after receiving his "D.D." degree ("Doctor of Desert" Degree), he then spent three years in Damascus until he was forced to escape (Acts 9:24-25). (See Insights) Swindoll favors the option 2 below, explaining that "According to this chronology, Saul spent “many days” (Acts 9:23) ministering in Damascus until he wore out his welcome in the synagogues. He then relocated to Arabia, spending two years getting better equipped for ministry. After he returned to Damascus and resumed his ministry there (Gal 1:17), the synagogue leaders plotted “to do away with him” (Acts 9:23), prompting his nighttime escape (Acts 9:24-25). He then traveled to Jerusalem. In this arrangement, a total of three years separated his conversion and journey to Jerusalem. In other words, three years after his conversion, not after his return to Damascus, Saul visited Peter in Jerusalem." (Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary - recommended resource). Kistemaker favors a similar interpretation - The general time description, “many days had passed,” relates to Paul’s autobiographical comment: “Then after three years [since my conversion near Damascus] I went up to Jerusalem” (Gal. 1:18). The time period need not be three full years but may even be less than two years. In that case, we count one full year with the two partial years that precede and follow it (compare Acts 20:31). This period of time includes his stay in Arabia and his days in Damascus. (ED: AS SHOWN BELOW IN THE DARK GRAY PORTION OF THE TIMELINE) (Baker NT Commentary - Acts) See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry Acts 9:24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Wuest But their plot became known to Saul. And they kept on watching the gates both day and night in order that they might make away with him. their Acts 9:29,30; 14:5,6; 17:10-15; 23:12-21; 25:3,11; Judges 16:2,3; 2 Cor 11:32 They were also watching the gates Ps 21:11; 37:32,33 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL GETS WIND OF ASSASSINATION PLOT But their plot became known to Saul - Luke does not tell us how it became known. Clearly, Jesus had given Saul a commission which was far from completed. The Jews had sought numerous times to put Jesus to death, but each time their plot had failed, because Jesus had not reached His final destination, the Cross. The point is that God's man is "immortal" until his mission is completed. We see this same principle in the 1260 day mission God assigned to the two witnesses (Rev 11:3+). The Antichrist was not allowed to touch them until their mission was complete, John recording "When they have finished their testimony, the beast (ANTICHRIST) that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them." (Rev 11:7+). A plot is a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal) Jack Andrews - When it is our time to go we cannot escape, but when it is not our time to go we can expect God to open up doors, provide protection, give insight and wisdom about decisions and places and people. (Expository Sermons) We see another Jewish plot to ambush and kill Paul was revealed to him when "the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul." (Acts 23:16+, cf Acts 23:30). These "revelations" to Paul of plans to kill him are encouraging examples of the wonderful protective providence of God in Paul's life. And beloved, given the truth that God is the same today and He was in Paul's day (Heb 13:8), you can rest assured that many similar (perhaps not quite as dramatic) episodes of divine providence have provided protection in your life. I am aware of three times God intervened to prevent my death (before I was a believer) and I am sure you have similar testimonies to the goodness and greatness of our loving Father's watch-care of His children! Plot (1917)(epiboule from epi = upon, against + boule = plan) describes a purpose or design against someone, a secret plan to do harm to someone. A plot, a scheme or a conspiracy. Louw-Nida - "a plan for treacherous activity against someone." All 4 NT occurrences refer to the plots of the Jews directed against Paul (Acts 9:24; 20:3,19; 23:30). In Septuagint only in 2 Sa 2:16, Esther 2:2. (Four uses in the Apocrypha - 2 Ma. 5:7; 3 Ma. 1:2; 3 Ma. 1:6; 3 Ma. 1:25; 4 Ma. 4:13). Became known (1097)(ginosko) means to know by experience, to come to understand and in this case presumably from someone telling Saul about the assassination plot. Kistemaker comments on the ironic twist - "What a reversal of events! The persecutor who breathed murderous threats against the Christians (Acts 9:1+) now receives his own death warrant. The religious zealot who made the followers of Christ suffer now suffers himself for the sake of Christ (see Acts 9:16+). At this point, his life of suffering has only begun (refer to 2 Cor. 11:23–29)." (BNTC-Acts) They were also watching the gates day and night - They were watching the gates, but not the walls! Saul was in good company, for the Jewish leaders had repeatedly watched Jesus closely (with a malicious intent) (Mk 3:2; Lk 6:7; 14:1). We see here a fulfillment of Jesus' prophetic words that "I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name's sake." (Acts 9:16+) Watching (3906)(paratereo from para = beside + tereo = watch) means to watch closely, to observe scrupulously or carefully. A T