Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 22:16

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name." — Acts 22:16 (ASV)

At Damascus Paul was visited by Ananias, God’s messenger to bring about renewal of Paul’s sight and to announce God’s purpose for him as a witness “to all men.” The Jewish matrix of Paul’s commission is highlighted by the description of Ananias as “a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there” (v.12); and the Jewish flavor of the episode is strengthened by the expression “the God of our fathers” and the messianic title “the Righteous One” (v.14; cf. 3:14). The words “Brother Saul, receive your sight” (v.13) summarize the fuller statement reported in 9:17. What was important in the present circumstance was not to reproduce the exact words of Ananias but to emphasize that the commission Paul received from the risen Christ was communicated by a pious Jew who spoke in distinctly Jewish terms. Later on, when Paul defended himself before Agrippa II (ch. 26), there was no need for this particular emphasis; therefore, the substance of what Ananias said in the name of the Lord Jesus is there included in the words spoken by the heavenly voice on the Damascus Road (cf. 26:16–18). Having thus delivered the Lord’s message, Ananias called on Paul to respond: “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name” (v.16); cf. 2:38).