Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 9:21

"And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests." — Acts 9:21 (ASV)

That destroyed them which called on this name.—Better, made havoc of them. It is noticeable that St. Paul uses the same verb to describe his own conduct in Galatians 1:13, where the English version has “wasted.” On “them which called on this name,” see Note on Acts 9:16.

And came hither.—More accurately, had come hither, as implying that the purpose of his coming had been abandoned.