Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 9:18

"And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;" — Acts 9:18 (ASV)

As it had been scales. The Greek phrase is hōsei lepides. The word hōsei, meaning "as it had been," is intended to qualify the following word. It is not said that scales literally fell from his eyes, but that an effect occurred as if scales had been suddenly removed. Evidently, the entire expression is intended to mean no more than this.

The effect was such as would occur if some dark, impervious substance had been placed before the eyes and then suddenly removed. The cure was as sudden, and sight was restored as immediately, as if such an interposing substance had been abruptly taken away. This is all that the expression fairly implies, and this is all that the nature of the case demands.

Since the blindness had been caused by the natural effect of the light, probably on the optic nerve , it is clear that no literal removal of scales would restore vision. We are therefore to dismiss the idea of literal scales falling to the earth; no such thing is affirmed, and no such thing would have addressed the situation.

The word translated scales is used nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means the small crust or layer that forms part of the covering of a fish, and also any thin layer or leaf that is exfoliated or separated, such as scales of iron, bone, or a piece of bark, etc.—Webster. An effect similar to this is described in Tobit 11:8, 13.

It is evident that there was a miracle in the healing of Saul. The blindness was the natural effect of the light, while the cure was by miraculous power. This is evident for the following reasons:

1. Because no means were used that would naturally restore sight. It may be remarked here that gutta serena has been regarded by physicians as one of the most incurable diseases. Few cases are restored, and few remedies are efficacious. (See Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, Article: Surgery, on Amaurosis.)
2. Ananias was sent for this very purpose: to heal him (Acts 9:17).
3. The immediate effect shows that this was miraculous. Had it been a slow recovery, it might have been doubtful; but here it was instantaneous, thus putting it beyond question that it was a miracle.

And was baptized. In this, he followed the example of all the early converts to Christianity. They were baptized immediately (Acts 8:12, 36-39).