Acts 9:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἠγέρθη
arose
G1453
ἠγέρθη
arose
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
1 of 20
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
the earth
G1093
γῆς
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
7 of 20
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ἀνεῳγμένων
were opened
G455
ἀνεῳγμένων
were opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
8 of 20
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμῶν
eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμῶν
eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
11 of 20
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οὐδένα
no man
G3762
οὐδένα
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
13 of 20
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
χειραγωγοῦντες
by the hand
G5496
χειραγωγοῦντες
by the hand
Strong's:
G5496
Word #:
15 of 20
to be a hand-leader, i.e., to guide (a blind person)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Acts 22:11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.Acts 9:18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.Acts 13:11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Historical Context
The Damascus road experience occurred in bright midday (Acts 22:6), yet Saul saw nothing after Christ's glory departed. His three days of blindness paralleled Christ's three days in the tomb - old Saul dying, new Paul rising.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Saul's physical blindness illustrate mankind's spiritual blindness apart from grace?
- What does Saul's helplessness teach about human inability in salvation?
- How does God use humbling experiences to prepare us for His purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Saul arose from the earth unable to see despite his eyes being open - the glory of Christ had blinded him physically. This blindness symbolized his previous spiritual blindness, needing divine healing for both. That his companions led him by the hand shows complete helplessness - the self-confident persecutor became utterly dependent. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates total inability: apart from God's grace, we are spiritually blind and helpless, needing God to open our eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). Saul's blindness would be healed when Ananias came, symbolizing the Spirit's illumination.