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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 9:3 As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/9-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/44_Act_09_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 9:3 - The Road to Damascus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nasb/acts/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; <a href="/nasb77/acts/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And it came about that as he journeyed, he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; <a href="/lsb/acts/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And as he was traveling, it happened that when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; <a href="/amp/acts/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; <a href="/csb/acts/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. <a href="/hcsb/acts/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. <a href="/asv/acts/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: <a href="/cev/acts/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. <a href="/erv/acts/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: <a href="/gwt/acts/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. <a href="/gnt/acts/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed around him. <a href="/isv/acts/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> As Saul traveled along and was approaching Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. <a href="/msb/acts/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. <a href="/net/acts/9.htm">NET Bible</a> As he was going along, approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. <a href="/nheb/acts/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. <a href="/wbt/acts/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around him a light from heaven: <a href="/wey/acts/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But on the journey, as he was getting near Damascus, suddenly there flashed round him a light from Heaven; <a href="/web/acts/9.htm">World English Bible</a> As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And in the going, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly there shone around him a light from Heaven, <a href="/blb/acts/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now in proceeding, it came to pass as he draws near to Damascus, suddenly also a light from heaven flashed around him. <a href="/ylt/acts/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And in the going, he came nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shone round about him a light from the heaven, <a href="/slt/acts/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And in going, it was he drawing near to Damascus: and suddenly a light from heaven flashed with lightning around him:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. <a href="/cpdv/acts/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him. <a href="/nabre/acts/9.htm">New American Bible</a> On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly a light from the sky shone round about him; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And as he was going, he began to approach Darmsuq; suddenly there was light from the Heavens shining upon him,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven. <a href="/godbey/acts/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And it came to pass, while prosecuting the journey he drew near to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him; <a href="/haweis/acts/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> So advancing on his journey, he was drawing nigh to Damascus: and suddenly there shone around him a light from heaven: <a href="/mace/acts/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> As he was on his journey, and near Damascus, on a sudden, a light from heaven surrounded him, <a href="/wey/acts/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But on the journey, as he was getting near Damascus, suddenly there flashed round him a light from Heaven; <a href="/worrell/acts/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, as he was journeying, it came to pass, that he was drawing nigh to Damascus; and suddenly there flashed around him a light from Heaven; <a href="/worsley/acts/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And as he was on his journey, and came near to Damascus, suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; <a href="/parallel/acts/9-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=2702" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/9.htm">The Road to Damascus</a> …2and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: egeneto (V-AIM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">As</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Saul</a> <a href="/greek/1448.htm" title="1448: engizein (V-PNA) -- Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.">drew near</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1154.htm" title="1154: Damaskō (N-DFS) -- Damascus. Of Hebrew origin; Damascus, a city of Syria.">to Damascus</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: En (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">on</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4198.htm" title="4198: poreuesthai (V-PNM/P) -- To travel, journey, go, die. ">his journey,</a> <a href="/greek/1810.htm" title="1810: exaiphnēs (Adv) -- Suddenly, unexpectedly. From ek and the base of aiphnidios; of a sudden.">suddenly</a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also."></a> <a href="/greek/5457.htm" title="5457: phōs (N-NNS) -- Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.">a light</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranou (N-GMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/4015.htm" title="4015: periēstrapsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To flash (gleam) around like lightning. From peri and astrapto; to flash all around, i.e. Envelop in light.">flashed around</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him.</a> 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/22-6.htm">Acts 22:6</a> About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. <a href="/acts/26-13.htm">Acts 26:13</a> About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-8.htm">1 Corinthians 15:8</a> And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a> For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. <a href="/galatians/1-15.htm">Galatians 1:15-16</a> But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased / to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, <a href="/1_timothy/1-12.htm">1 Timothy 1:12-16</a> I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. / I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. / And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ... <a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Exodus 3:2-6</a> There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” / When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. ... <a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16-19</a> On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. / Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. / Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. ... <a href="/ezekiel/1-28.htm">Ezekiel 1:28</a> The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking. <a href="/daniel/10-6.htm">Daniel 10:6</a> His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. <a href="/matthew/17-2.htm">Matthew 17:2</a> There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. <a href="/luke/2-9.htm">Luke 2:9</a> Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. <a href="/john/12-29.htm">John 12:29</a> The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. <a href="/john/12-46.htm">John 12:46</a> I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness. <a href="/revelation/1-16.htm">Revelation 1:16</a> He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:as.<a href="/acts/9-17.htm">Acts 9:17</a> And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.<a href="/acts/22-6.htm">Acts 22:6</a> And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.<a href="/acts/26-12.htm">Acts 26:12,13</a> Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, … a light.<a href="/psalms/104-2.htm">Psalm 104:2</a> Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:<a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">1 Timothy 6:16</a> Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.<a href="/revelation/21-23.htm">Revelation 21:23</a> And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/7-31.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/acts/7-23.htm">Approaching</a> <a href="/acts/8-13.htm">Close</a> <a href="/acts/9-2.htm">Damascus</a> <a href="/acts/7-31.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/luke/24-4.htm">Flashed</a> <a href="/acts/5-33.htm">Getting</a> <a href="/acts/7-56.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/acts/8-39.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/luke/19-28.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/luke/13-22.htm">Journeying</a> <a href="/acts/5-15.htm">Light</a> <a href="/judges/19-14.htm">Neared</a> <a href="/acts/7-17.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/acts/5-16.htm">Round</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-2.htm">Shined</a> <a href="/john/5-35.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/john/5-35.htm">Shone</a> <a href="/acts/7-49.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/acts/8-39.htm">Suddenly</a> <a href="/acts/8-40.htm">Traveled</a> <a href="/luke/24-15.htm">Traveling</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/acts/10-9.htm">Approaching</a> <a href="/acts/9-24.htm">Close</a> <a href="/acts/9-8.htm">Damascus</a> <a href="/acts/10-9.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/acts/22-6.htm">Flashed</a> <a href="/acts/10-9.htm">Getting</a> <a href="/acts/10-11.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/acts/9-17.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/acts/9-7.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/acts/9-7.htm">Journeying</a> <a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Light</a> <a href="/acts/27-27.htm">Neared</a> <a href="/acts/9-38.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/acts/12-8.htm">Round</a> <a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Shined</a> <a href="/acts/10-30.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Shone</a> <a href="/acts/10-11.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/acts/10-30.htm">Suddenly</a> <a href="/acts/9-7.htm">Traveled</a> <a href="/acts/9-7.htm">Traveling</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 9</div>1. <a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Saul, going toward Damascus, is stricken down to the earth, </a> 8. <a href="/acts/9-8.htm">and led blind to Damascus;</a> 10. <a href="/acts/9-10.htm">is called to the apostleship;</a> 18. <a href="/acts/9-18.htm">and is baptized by Ananias.</a> 20. <a href="/acts/9-20.htm">He preaches Christ boldly.</a> 23. <a href="/acts/9-23.htm">The Jews lay wait to kill him;</a> 29. <a href="/acts/9-29.htm">so do the Grecians, but he escapes both.</a> 31. <a href="/acts/9-31.htm">The church having rest, Peter heals Aeneas;</a> 36. <a href="/acts/9-36.htm">and restores Tabitha to life.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey Saul, later known as Paul, was a Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of Christians. His journey to Damascus was with the intent to arrest followers of "the Way" and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial. Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, was a significant trade and cultural center in the Roman Empire. This journey highlights the early spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem and into the broader Roman world. Saul's mission reflects the intense opposition the early church faced from Jewish authorities.suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him The suddenness of the light signifies divine intervention, marking a pivotal moment in Saul's life and in the history of the early church. The light from heaven is often interpreted as the glory of God, similar to the Shekinah glory that appeared in the Old Testament. This event is reminiscent of other biblical theophanies, where God's presence is manifested through light, such as the burning bush in <a href="/exodus/3.htm">Exodus 3</a>. The light's heavenly origin underscores the divine authority and supernatural nature of the encounter. This moment is a type of conversion experience, symbolizing the transformative power of Christ's presence. Saul's encounter is a fulfillment of prophecies about the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles, as Saul would become a primary apostle to the non-Jewish world.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> A zealous Pharisee known for persecuting Christians. He is on a mission to arrest followers of "the Way" in Damascus. 2. <a href="/topical/d/damascus.htm">Damascus</a> An ancient city in Syria, significant as a center of trade and culture. It becomes a pivotal location for Saul's conversion. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_journey.htm">The Journey</a> Saul's journey to Damascus represents his intent to suppress the early Christian movement. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_light_from_heaven.htm">The Light from Heaven</a> A divine intervention symbolizing God's presence and the beginning of Saul's transformation into Paul, the Apostle. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_flash.htm">The Flash</a> This sudden, overwhelming light signifies a moment of divine revelation and confrontation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_intervention.htm">Divine Intervention</a> God can intervene in our lives in unexpected ways, often when we are on a path contrary to His will. <a href="/topical/t/transformation.htm">Transformation</a> Saul's encounter with the light marks the beginning of his transformation. God can change even the hardest hearts. <a href="/topical/p/purpose_and_calling.htm">Purpose and Calling</a> Saul's experience highlights that God has a specific purpose and calling for each of us, often revealed through personal encounters with Him. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_blindness.htm">Spiritual Blindness</a> Saul's physical blindness following the encounter symbolizes spiritual blindness. We must seek God's light to truly see. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_call.htm">Obedience to God's Call</a> Saul's response to the divine encounter sets an example of obedience and submission to God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 9</a> <a href="/q/lessons_from_paul_and_barnabas.htm">What lessons can we learn from Paul and Barnabas?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_god_moment.htm">What defines a God moment?</a> <a href="/q/what_visions_did_paul_see.htm">What visions did Paul experience in his apocalyptic journey?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_saint_eustace's_story.htm">Who was Saint Eustace and what is his story?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) And as he journeyed.--The route by which the persecutor and his companions travelled was probably that taken by the Roman road, which extended from Jerusalem to Neapolis (Sychar, or Shechem), thence to Scythopolis, and so by the shores of the Sea of Galilee and Caesarea Philippi, and thence under the slopes of Hermon, to Damascus. On this supposition Saul would traverse the chief scenes of our Lord's ministry, and be stirred to madness by the progress which the new sect had made in the cities of Samaria. It is, however, possible that he may have taken the road by the Jordan valley by which Galilean pilgrims sometimes travelled in order to avoid Samaria; but the former was beyond all question the most direct and best frequented road.He came near Damascus.--The city has the interest of being one of the oldest in the world. It appears in the history of Abraham (<a href="/genesis/14-15.htm" title="And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.">Genesis 14:15</a>; <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm" title="And Abram said, LORD God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?">Genesis 15:2</a>), and was, traditionally, the scene of the murder of Abel. David placed his garrisons there (<a href="/2_samuel/8-6.htm" title="Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.">2Samuel 8:6</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/18-6.htm" title="Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David wherever he went.">1Chronicles 18:6</a>), and, under Rezon, it resisted the power of Solomon (<a href="/1_kings/11-24.htm" title="And he gathered men to him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelled therein, and reigned in Damascus.">1Kings 11:24</a>). Its fair streams, Abana and Pharpar, were, in the eyes of the Syrian leper, better than all the waters of Israel (<a href="/2_kings/5-12.htm" title="Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.">2Kings 5:12</a>). It was the centre of the Syrian kingdom in its alliances and wars with those of Israel and Judah (<a href="/2_kings/14-28.htm" title="Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?">2Kings 14:28</a>; <a href="/context/2_kings/16-9.htm" title="And the king of Assyria listened to him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.">2Kings 16:9-10</a>; <a href="/amos/1-3.htm" title="Thus said the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:">Amos 1:3</a>; <a href="/amos/1-5.htm" title="I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holds the scepter from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir, said the LORD.">Amos 1:5</a>). Its trade with Tyre in wares, and wine of Helbon, and white wool is noted by Ezekiel (<a href="/acts/27-16.htm" title="And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:">Acts 27:16</a>; <a href="/acts/27-18.htm" title="And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;">Acts 27:18</a>). It had been taken by Parmenion for Alexander the Great, and again by Pompeius. It was the birth-place of Nicolaos of Damascus, the historian and rhetorician who is conspicuous as the counsellor of Herod the Great (Jos. Ant. xii. 3, ? 2; xvi. 2, ? 2). At a later period it was the residence of the Ommiyad caliphs, and the centre of the world of Islam. The beauty of its site, the river which the Greeks knew as Chrysorrhoas, the "Golden Stream," its abounding fertility, the gardens of roses, made it, as Lamartine has said, a "predestined capital." Such was the scene which met the bodily eye of the fanatic persecutor. The historian does not care to dwell on its description, and hastens to that which met his inward gaze. Assuming the journey to have been continuous, the approach to Damascus would come on the seventh or eighth day after leaving Jerusalem. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - It came to pass that he drew nigh unto for he came near, A.V.; shone for shined, A.V.; out of for from, A.V. and T.R. <a href="/commentaries/acts/9-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[As] ἐγένετο (egeneto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. [Saul] αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. drew near ἐγγίζειν (engizein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1448.htm">Strong's 1448: </a> Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach. to Damascus Δαμασκῷ (Damaskō) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1154.htm">Strong's 1154: </a> Damascus. Of Hebrew origin; Damascus, a city of Syria. on Ἐν (En) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. his journey, πορεύεσθαι (poreuesthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_4198.htm">Strong's 4198: </a> To travel, journey, go, die. suddenly ἐξαίφνης (exaiphnēs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_1810.htm">Strong's 1810: </a> Suddenly, unexpectedly. From ek and the base of aiphnidios; of a sudden. a light φῶς (phōs) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5457.htm">Strong's 5457: </a> Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. heaven οὐρανοῦ (ouranou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. flashed around περιήστραψεν (periēstrapsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4015.htm">Strong's 4015: </a> To flash (gleam) around like lightning. From peri and astrapto; to flash all around, i.e. Envelop in light. him. αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/9-3.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 9:3 As he traveled it happened that he (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/9-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 9:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 9:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/9-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 9:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 9:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>