“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,”
My Notes
What Does Acts 9:11 Mean?
"And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth." God sends Ananias to find Saul of Tarsus — the man who has been terrorizing the church. The directions are supernaturally specific: a named street, a named host, a named city of origin. And the evidence that Saul is ready: "behold, he prayeth." The greatest persecutor of the early church is on his knees.
The four words "behold, he prayeth" are presented as something astonishing — a wonder. The man who was breathing threats is now breathing prayers. The transformation is so unexpected that God draws Ananias' attention to it with "behold" — look at this, marvel at this. Prayer is the sign that the revolution has begun.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Who is the 'Saul' in your life — the person you'd never believe God could change?
- 2.What does it mean that prayer was the sign of Saul's conversion, not any outward action?
- 3.Has God ever asked you to approach someone you were afraid of — and what happened?
- 4.How specific have you experienced God's guidance being — and do you trust it when it seems too detailed?
Devotional
"Behold, he prayeth." God says it as if it's the most remarkable thing in the world. And it is. Saul — the man who held coats while Stephen was stoned, who dragged believers from their homes, who traveled hundreds of miles to arrest Christians — is praying.
God gives Ananias a street address, a house name, and one piece of evidence that everything has changed: he's praying. Not preaching. Not performing miracles. Not writing theology. Praying. That's the sign of genuine conversion. The man who was too busy persecuting to pray is now too changed to do anything else.
The specificity of God's directions should also stop you. He knows the street name. He knows whose house Saul is in. He knows Saul's hometown. He knows what Saul is doing in this exact moment. When God sends you somewhere, the mission is that detailed. He doesn't deal in vague impressions. He knows the address.
And the courage he's asking of Ananias is extraordinary. Go find the man who has been destroying the church. Walk into his room. Lay hands on him. Call him brother. Everything in Ananias' survival instinct said no. But "behold, he prayeth" was God's way of saying: the person you're afraid of has already changed. The person you think is your enemy is on his knees. Go.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And the Lord said unto him, arise,.... Quickly, directly, immediately, from off thy bed; the case required haste and…
Into the street which is called Straight - This street extends now from the eastern to the western gate, about three…
Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight - How very particular is this direction! And it was necessary…
As for God, his work is perfect; if he begin, he will make an end: a good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to…
into the street which is called Straight A long straight street still runs through Damascus, and is probably (so…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture