Acts 9:9

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

And {G2532} he was {G2258} three {G5140} days {G2250} without {G3361} sight {G991}, and {G2532} neither {G3756} did eat {G5315} nor {G3761} drink {G4095}.

For three days he remained unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.

And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.

Commentary on Acts 9:9

This verse offers a poignant glimpse into the immediate aftermath of one of the most significant conversions in biblical history: that of Saul of Tarsus, who would later become the Apostle Paul. Following his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus Road, Saul is left in a state of profound physical and spiritual transformation.

Context

Immediately preceding this verse, Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians, was traveling to Damascus with authority to arrest believers (Acts 9:1-2). Suddenly, a blinding light from heaven enveloped him, and he heard the voice of Jesus (Acts 9:3-5). Struck down and physically blind, he was led by the hand into Damascus. Verse 9 details his condition during this critical interim period before his sight was restored by Ananias (Acts 9:17-18). This period of helplessness is also recounted in Paul's later testimonies (Acts 22:6-11, Acts 26:12-18).

Key Themes

  • Profound Humiliation and Dependence: The powerful and self-assured Saul is rendered utterly helpless, dependent on others to lead him and unable to feed himself. This physical state powerfully mirrors his spiritual blindness and dependence on God's grace.
  • Symbolism of Blindness: Saul's physical blindness immediately after encountering Christ symbolizes his prior spiritual blindness to the truth of Jesus as Messiah. The restoration of his sight will signify his spiritual enlightenment and new vision for God's purposes. This concept of spiritual blindness is echoed in other scriptures, such as 2 Corinthians 4:4.
  • Fasting and Repentance: His refusal to eat or drink for three days indicates a deep state of mourning, intense introspection, and fervent prayer. This is a period of profound repentance and seeking God's will after his life-altering revelation. It highlights the biblical practice of fasting as a spiritual discipline for seeking divine guidance or expressing deep sorrow.
  • Preparation for Ministry: These three days were not merely a period of physical recovery but a crucial time of spiritual processing and preparation for his monumental calling as the Apostle to the Gentiles. It was a time of internal transformation before external ministry.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "three days" is significant in biblical narratives, often marking a period of intense transition, divine intervention, or profound revelation (e.g., Jonah's time in the fish, or Christ's resurrection on the third day). For Saul, it was a divinely appointed interval for reflection, repentance, and receiving a new spiritual vision, solidifying his transformation from persecutor to apostle.

Practical Application

Acts 9:9 reminds us that God can humble even the most resistant hearts and use unexpected means to draw people to Himself. Periods of spiritual waiting, even those marked by discomfort or uncertainty, can be divinely orchestrated times of profound growth and preparation for God's purposes. Like Saul, we may sometimes need to be stripped of our self-reliance and worldly vision to truly see God's truth and embrace His call on our lives. It emphasizes the importance of humility and submission to God's transformative work.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Esther 4:16

    Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:18

    Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they [are written] in the book of the kings of Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:19

    His prayer also, and [how God] was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they [are] written among the sayings of the seers.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:12

    And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

  • 2 Chronicles 33:13

    And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God.

  • Jonah 3:6

    For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered [him] with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

  • Jonah 3:8

    But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that [is] in their hands.

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