Acts 9:7-9 7And the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8Then Saul got up from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So, taking him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9And he could not see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
Saul was traveling with others who are mentioned in verse 7. There is little description of these people, how many, or what their purpose was. Were they part of a possee set out to arrest Christians with Saul, or had Saul joined a caravan of sorts going to Damascus? More likely Saul did not set off on a journey like this by himself. It would have been impossible for one man to arrest people and return them to Jerusalem. These companions could have been a regiment of temple guards or similar. These men heard the voice of Jesus but could not see him. According to Paul’s later testimony of the event in 22:9, they also saw the light. There is not mention of them being blinded. This description of them hearing and seeing objectively confirmed Saul’s experience. There is no mention of spiritual transformation of the group, but they did take him to the house of Judas on Straight Street, so they were involved to some degree in the event. Saul was the focus of the vision and not the group of people.
The bright light from heaven blinded Saul. This outcome could be compared to staring at a bright light for a moment, after which one is unable to see clearly. The light of Jesus was so overwhelming that Saul could not see anything and needed help to get to Damascus. The revelation was so shocking to him that he did not eat or drink for three days. Most people can fast for three days without food, but three days without drink can lead to dehydration and physical exhaustion. Luke does not reveal Saul’s inner thoughts at this point. We can imagine the types of thoughts he had. His religious system and many important beliefs had been crushed. The very person he thought was a blaspheming imposter turned out to be the Messiah. All the early Christians, like Stephen, had said was true. Saul had to re-evaluate his religious and legalistic zeal as a Pharisee. As a Bible scholar, he could reflect on the many passages he had memorized and begin to see the truth in them and how Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled every one.
He could also look deep within himself and the pride he had. He was now a broken man. He realized how utterly sinful he was–the greatest of sinners, as he later wrote in 1 Timothy 1:13-15. As he sat in deep meditatin and prayer, a new theology was beginning to form in his mind. His new way of thinking would become apparent in the many letters he would write to the churches. The focus of this theology was the possibility of a new transformed life in Christ. He could later write about this because he had experienced it himself. He was the best example of how Christ could take an utterly sinful and prideful person and change him into a powerful witness fully sanctified to the cause of Christ. According to Paul’s later testimonies of his vision in chapters 22 and 26, Jesus also called him to take this message of grace and transformation to the Gentiles. All these thoughts must have been swirling and taking root in his mind as he sat in shock and awe of what he had just experienced. Few people have a dramatic experience like Saul, but his path to being changed is one we all can follow.
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