Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 9:3

"And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:" — Acts 9:3 (ASV)

And as he journeyed. On his way; or while he was traveling. The place where this occurred is not known. Tradition has fixed it at the mountain now called Cocab. (See the notes on Acts 9:2).

All that we know of it is that it was near Damascus.

And suddenly. Like a flash of lightning.

There shined round about him, etc. The language expressed here would be used in describing a flash of lightning. Many critics have supposed that God made use of a sudden flash to arrest Paul, and that he was much alarmed and brought to reflection. That God might make use of such a means cannot be denied. But to this supposition in this case there are some unanswerable objections:

1. It was declared to be the appearance of the Lord Jesus: Acts 9:27, Barnabas declared unto them how that he had seen the Lord in the way. 1 Corinthians 15:8: And last of all he was seen of me also. 1 Corinthians 9:1: Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?

2. Those who were with Saul saw the light, but did not hear the voice (Acts 22:9). (See the notes on Acts 22:9).

This is incredible on the supposition that it was a flash of lightning near them.

3. It was manifestly regarded as a message to Saul. The light appeared, and the voice spoke to him. The others did not even hear the address. Besides,

4. It was as easy for Jesus to appear in a supernatural manner as to appear amidst thunder and lightning. That the Lord Jesus appeared is distinctly affirmed. And we shall see that it is probable that he would appear in a supernatural manner.

In order to understand this, it may be necessary to make the following remarks:

1. God was accustomed to appear to the Jews in a cloud; in a pillar of smoke, or of fire; in that peculiar splendor which they denominated the Shekinah. In this way he went before them into the land of Canaan (Exodus 13:21–22). This appearance or visible manifestation they called the glory of JEHOVAH (Isaiah 6:1–4; Exodus 16:7, In the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord; Leviticus 9:23; Numbers 14:10; Numbers 15:19; Numbers 24:16; 1 Kings 8:11; Ezekiel 10:4). (See the notes on Luke 2:9). The glory of the Lord shone round about them (Luke 2:9).

2. The Lord Jesus, in his transfiguration on the mount, had been encompassed with that glory. (See the notes on Matthew 17:1-5).

3. He had spoken of similar glory as pertaining to him; as that which he had been invested with before his incarnation, and to which he would return. John 17:5: And now, Father, glorify me, etc., with the glory Which I had with you before the world was.Matthew 25:31: The Son of man shall come in his glory. (Matthew 19:28). To this glory he had returned when he left the earth.

4. It is a sentiment which cannot be shown to be incorrect, that the various appearances of "the angel of Jehovah," and of Jehovah, mentioned in the Old Testament, were appearances of the Messiah; the God who should be incarnate; the peculiar Protector of his people. (See Isaiah 6, compare with John 12:41).

5. If the Lord Jesus appeared to Saul, it would be in this manner. It would be in his appropriate glory and honor, as the ascended Messiah.

That he did appear is expressly affirmed.

6. This was an occasion when, if ever, such an appearance was proper.

   The design was to convert an infuriated persecutor and to make him an apostle. To do this, it was necessary that he should see the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 9:1–2).

   The design was, further, to make him an eminent instrument in carrying the gospel to the Gentiles. A signal miracle; a demonstration that he was invested with his appropriate glory (John 17:5); a calling up a new witness to the fact of his resurrection, and his solemn investment with glory in the heavens, seemed to be required in thus calling a violent persecutor to be an apostle and friend.

7. We are to regard this appearance, therefore, as the reappearance of the Shekinah, the Son of God invested with appropriate glory, appearing to convince an enemy of his ascension, and to change him from a foe to a friend.

It has been objected that as the Lord Jesus had ascended to heaven, it cannot be presumed that his body would return to the earth again. To this we may reply that the New Testament has thrown no light on this. Perhaps it is not necessary to suppose that his body returned, but that he made such a visible manifestation of himself as to convince Saul that he was the Messiah.

From heaven. From above; from the sky. In Acts 26:13, Paul says that the light was above the brightness of the sun at midday.