Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 9:11

"And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth;" — Acts 9:11 (ASV)

Into the street which is called Straight. This street now extends from the eastern to the western gate, about three miles, crossing the whole city and suburbs in a direct line. Near the eastern gate is a house, said to be that of Judah, in which Paul lodged.

In this house, there is a very small closet where tradition reports that the apostle passed three days without food, until Ananias restored him to sight. Tradition also says that he had the vision recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:2 here. Furthermore, in this street, there is a fountain whose water Christians drink in remembrance of that which, they suppose, was the same fountain that provided water for Paul's baptism.

Of Tarsus. This city was the capital of Cilicia, a province of Asia Minor. It was situated on the banks of the river Cydnus. It was distinguished for the culture of Greek philosophy and literature, so that at one time, in its schools and in the number of its learned men, it rivaled Athens and Alexandria. In allusion to this, perhaps, Paul says that he was born in Tarsus, a citizen of no mean city, Acts 21:39. In reward for its exertions and sacrifices during the civil wars of Rome, Tarsus was made a free city by Augustus. See the notes on Acts 22:28, Acts 22:25, Acts 21:39, and Acts 16:37.

Beheld, he prayeth. This gives us a full indication of the manner in which Saul passed the three days mentioned in Acts 9:9. It is plain from what follows that Ananias regarded Saul as a foe to Christianity and that he would have been apprehensive of danger if he were with him (Acts 9:13–14).

This remark, behold, he prayeth, is made to Ananias to silence his fears and to indicate the change in Saul's feelings and views. Before, he was a persecutor; now, his change is indicated by his giving himself to prayer. This does not imply that Saul did not pray before, for he fully accorded with the customs of the Jews (Philippians 3:4–6).

But his prayers then were not the prayers of a saint. They were the prayers of a Pharisee (compare Luke 18:10 and following); now they were the prayers of a broken-hearted sinner. Then he prayed depending on his own righteousness; now, he prays depending on the mercy of God in the Messiah. We may learn here:

1. That one indication of conversion to God is real prayer. A Christian may as well be characterized by that as by any single appellation—"a man of prayer."

2. It is always the attendant of true conviction for sin that we pray. The convicted sinner feels his danger and his need of forgiveness. Conscious that he has no righteousness himself, he now seeks that of another and depends on the mercy of God. Before, he was too proud to pray; now, he is willing to humble himself through Jesus Christ and ask for mercy.

3. It is a sufficient indication of any man's character to say, Behold, he prays. It at once tells us, better than volumes would without this, his real character. Knowing this, we know all about him.

   We at once confide in his piety, his honesty, his humility, and his willingness to do good. It is at once the indication of his state with God and the pledge that he will do his duty to men. We mean, of course, real prayer.

   Knowing that a man is sincere, humble, and faithful in his private devotions and in his family's devotions, we confide in him and are willing at once to trust his readiness to do all that he is convinced he ought to do. Ananias, apprised of this in Saul, had full evidence of his character change and was convinced that he ought to lay aside all his former views, seek him at once, and acknowledge him as a brother.