Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 26:12-23

"Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but declared both to them of Damascus first and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me. Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come; how that the Christ must suffer, [and] how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles." — Acts 26:12-23 (ASV)

Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; while he was in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who are still ignorant of them.

A world that lies in wickedness must be sanctified and reformed. It is not enough for their eyes to be opened; their hearts must be renewed. It is not enough for them to be turned from darkness to light; they must be turned from the power of Satan to God. All who are turned from sin to God are not only pardoned but also receive a rich inheritance.

The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven, we must first be saints on earth. We are made holy and saved by faith in Christ. Through this faith, we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness and give ourselves up to him as the Lord our Ruler. By this means, we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. The cross of Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews, and they were enraged at Paul's preaching the fulfillment of the Old Testament predictions.

Christ was to be the first to rise from the dead—the Head or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets that the Gentiles would be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah. And what in this could justly displease the Jews? Thus, the true convert can give a reason of his hope and a good account of the change manifest in him.

Yet, for going about and calling on people in this way to repent and be converted, vast numbers have been blamed and persecuted.