The conversion of Saul
Acts 9:1-19
Saul, whom we will later know as Saint Paul, was going to Damascus to arrest the followers of Jesus. On the way a light from heaven flashed around him, and he heard the voice of Jesus. He was blind for three days, until Ananias laid hands on him; then he could see again, and he was baptized. Acts 9:1-19
The story, in plain words
Saul was still threatening the disciples. He asked for letters so he could bring the followers of Jesus in Damascus back to Jerusalem in chains. Acts 9:1-2
He was already near Damascus when, suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him. Acts 9:3
He fell to the ground and heard a voice calling him by name and asking why he was persecuting him. Acts 9:4
Saul asked who he was. The voice answered that he was Jesus, whom Saul was persecuting. Acts 9:5 Jesus told him to get up and go into the city: there…
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See the mapWhat the Bible says
Acts 9:1-19
1And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. 4And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad. 7And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in company with him, stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man. 8And Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus. 9And he was there three days, without sight, and he did neither eat nor drink. 10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision: Ananias. And he said: Behold I am here, Lord. 11And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the street that is called Stait, and seek in the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prayeth. 12(And he saw a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hands upon him, that he might receive his sight.) 13But Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem. 14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that invoke thy name. 15And the Lord said to him: Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. 16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. 17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest; that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and rising up, he was baptized. 19And when he had taken meat, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
To talk about together
- Saul was persecuting the disciples, but Jesus asked him why he was persecuting him. What does that tell us about how Jesus sees his own?
- Ananias was unsure about going to see Saul, and still he went. What do you think helped him?
- For the child: have you ever changed your mind about someone? How did it happen?