Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 9:26

"And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple." — Acts 9:26 (ASV)

Was come to Jerusalem. It is probable that he then went immediately to Jerusalem (Galatians 1:18). This was three years after his conversion.

He assayed. He attempted; he endeavored.

To join himself. To become connected with them as their fellow Christian.

But they were all afraid of him. Their fear, or suspicion, was probably aroused for these reasons:

1. They remembered his former violence against Christians. They had an instinctive shrinking from him, and suspicion of the man who had been so violent a persecutor.
2. He had been absent three years. If they had not heard of him during that time, they would naturally retain much of their old feelings toward him. If they had, they might suspect the man who had not returned to Jerusalem, who had not previously sought the company of other Christians, and who had spent that time in a distant country and among strangers.

It would seem remarkable that he had not at once returned to Jerusalem and connected himself with the apostles. But the sacred writer does not justify the fears of the apostles; he simply records the fact of their apprehension.

It is not unnatural, however, to have doubts about an open and virulent enemy of the gospel who suddenly professes a change in its favor.

The human mind does not easily cast off suspicion of some unworthy motive and open itself at once to entire confidence. When great and notorious sinners—men who have been violent, or artful, or malignant—profess to be converted, it is natural to ask whether they still harbor some unworthy motive in their professed change. Confidence is a plant of slow growth, and does not spring up from a sudden profession, but from a course of life that is worthy of affection and trust.

A disciple. A sincere Christian.