JESUS ENCOUNTERS SAUL OF TARSUS ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS

ACTS 9:1–31

Saul of Tarsus had a remarkable encounter on the road to Damascus that completely rocked his worldview. In this experience Saul, the persecutor of Jewish believers in Jesus, was transformed by Jesus and so began the transition that would produce Paul, a celebrated ambassador of the Messiah Jesus (Acts 9:15). Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus for a reason.

Saul was well-trained in Pharisaic Judaism and was eager to remain loyal to the Temple in Jerusalem. Because he initially viewed Jesus of Nazareth as an opponent of that Temple (John 2:19–22), Saul participated in the passionate persecution of the young church in Jerusalem. Word arrived that this same movement was finding increasing success in Jewish communities in Damascus. So Saul secured a letter from Jerusalem’s high priest, Caiaphas, to enlist the aid of the Damascus synagogues in identifying and arresting followers of Jesus so they could be brought to Jerusalem for trial and punishment (Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–2; 22:3–5; 26:4–12).

Ephesus wall painting of Paul on the Grotto of Saint Paul (sixth century AD).

The large Jewish community in Damascus and its key location explain why Saul felt so compelled to persecute and weaken the church there. He did not want the sizable Jewish population compromised by what he believed was false teaching. In addition, Saul did not want Jews traveling through Damascus on the way to Jerusalem to hear this new message that explained how Jesus was the fulfillment of the Temple’s purpose. If that message took root in Damascus, not only the Jews in that city but Jews traveling through this important transportation hub might stop submitting to the Temple rulers. For those passionate about putting a stop to the message of Jesus, this city was the place to draw the line.

The city of Damascus was located on an oasis irrigated by the powerful and clear waters of the Amanah and the Pharpar rivers.15 Damascus was an important commercial center located at the hub of a transportation network that sent roadways streaming in all directions to places like Arabia, Egypt, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia (Ezek. 27:18).16 Furthermore, this city enjoyed a sizable Jewish population with multiple synagogues (Acts 9:2). That might seem surprising given the frequent tension reported between ancient Israel and Damascus.17 But there had been quieter times when the influence of Jewish thinking and theology lived in the streets of Damascus. David established garrisons there (2 Sam. 8:6). And the Scriptures tell of at least one high-ranking resident of Damascus: Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram, who came to believe in the Lord as the one true God (2 Kings 5).

Jesus encountered Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus for a reason. Saul was passionate about getting to Damascus in order to destroy the church, but his plan was undone when light flashed around him and the risen Lord asked a penetrating question: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus to enhance the church’s growth. The Lord wanted the Kingdom of God to be proclaimed in every direction, and that could happen from a place like Damascus. Thus the Lord not only interrupted Saul’s plan before he got to Damascus, but he changed Saul’s perspective along the way.

Paul’s journey on the road to Damascus would have taken him past the northeast slopes of Mount Hermon.

Road taken by Paul to Damascus

The wall of Saint Paul’s Church in Damascus is considered the location of Paul’s escape from the city (Acts 9:23–25).