But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s easily missed is how actively Saul confounded them. He didn't just state facts; he "proved" Jesus was the Christ, carefully comparing and assembling evidence from their own Scriptures to dismantle their resistance, leaving them speechless. This wasn't just a conversion; it was a powerful, reasoned defense of the Gospel that left his opponents utterly perplexed.
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just days after his dramatic conversion, Saul, now a follower of Jesus, is not hiding but boldly preaching in Damascus. He's grown stronger in his faith and, using his deep knowledge of the Jewish scriptures, is powerfully proving to the Jewish community there that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah they've been waiting for. This public declaration is so effective it leaves his opponents utterly bewildered and speechless.
Imagine going from the fiercest enemy of a message to its most passionate defender overnight. How does that happen, and what does it look like?
Saul’s transformation wasn’t just a change of heart; it was a surge of strength. The verse says he "increased all the more in strength." This wasn't just physical strength, but a deep, inner power fueled by his new conviction.
From Fury to Fire
Before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul was driven by a furious zeal against the followers of Christ. Now, that same intensity is redirected.
Scriptural Foundation
He didn’t just feel strongly; he argued strongly. His newfound strength was demonstrated in his ability to 'confound the Jews,' proving with the Scriptures that Jesus was indeed the Christ. This shows that genuine transformation equips us with the power to articulate and defend truth.
How do you respond when people challenge your deepest beliefs? Saul's approach offers a powerful model.
The impact Saul had on the Jewish community in Damascus was profound. The word 'confounded' suggests he didn't just disagree; he utterly dismantled their arguments and left them speechless. This wasn't about winning a debate through clever tricks, but through sheer, undeniable proof.
The Art of Persuasion
Saul's method was to 'prove' that Jesus was the Christ. This implies a reasoned, evidence-based approach. He used the very Scriptures they held dear to show how Jesus fulfilled every prophecy and promise.
Ask a follow-up
The Goal: Truth, Not Tumult
While his arguments created a stir ('confounded' can also imply causing excitement or tumult), the core of his message was the irrefutable truth about Jesus. His aim was to bring people face-to-face with the reality of who Jesus is, shaking their preconceived notions.
What did the Jews expect the Messiah to be, and how did Jesus defy those expectations?
The core of Saul’s proclamation was the revolutionary idea that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ—the long-awaited Messiah. This wasn't just a title; it was a claim that Jesus fulfilled the deepest hopes and promises of the Jewish people found in their Scriptures.
The Messiah’s Identity
For many Jews, the expectation was a political and military leader who would restore Israel's earthly kingdom. Saul, now empowered by the Holy Spirit, presented Jesus as the true Messiah who fulfilled prophecies concerning suffering, salvation, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
Proving the Promise
Saul’s arguments weren't arbitrary. He meticulously demonstrated how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection aligned with the Old Testament prophecies. He showed that the true nature of the Messiah was far grander and more spiritual than many had imagined, bringing salvation not just to Israel, but to all who would believe.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
Referring to the promised Davidic King and Savior of Israel; the term signifies that Jesus is the culmination of Old Testament prophecy and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
synchynnō · Greek Verb
To be in a state of confusion, baffled, or mentally paralyzed due to an inability to refute an argument; here, it refers to the inability of the opponents to withstand Saul's biblical defense of Jesus.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem, an event that becomes central to the Christian faith.
c. AD 33-34
Saul's Persecution of Christians
Saul of Tarsus actively persecutes the early followers of Jesus, believing he is serving God. This includes arresting and potentially consenting to the death of Christians.
c. AD 34
Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, leading to his conversion and immediate ministry.
c. AD 34— this verse
Saul Preaches in Damascus
Immediately after his conversion, Saul begins to preach in Damascus, confounding the local Jewish population by arguing that Jesus is the Messiah.
c. AD 34-37
Saul's Escape from Damascus
Due to plots against his life by the Jews in Damascus, Saul is secretly lowered over the city wall in a basket and escapes to Jerusalem.
c. AD 37
Saul Visits Jerusalem
Saul travels to Jerusalem and attempts to join the disciples, but they are initially fearful of him until Barnabas vouches for him.
This passage, which details the suffering servant, was a foundational text for Jewish messianic expectation and a key scripture Paul would have used to prove Jesus was the Christ.
Psalm 110:1This psalm speaks of a king and priest established by God, a concept central to the early Christian proclamation and a passage Paul likely employed to demonstrate Jesus' divine authority and messianic role.
John 1:41Here, Andrew immediately recognizes Jesus as the Messiah and shares this discovery, mirroring Saul's (Paul's) own immediate and powerful proclamation of Jesus as the Christ after his conversion.
Acts 18:28This verse shows Paul again powerfully refuting Jews and demonstrating from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ, highlighting the consistent pattern of his apologetic ministry.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24Paul himself later reflects on the core of his preaching – Christ crucified – which was a stumbling block to Jews, underscoring that his 'confounding' of them in Damascus was rooted in this central, Scripturally-supported message.
calvinActs 9:19-25: "And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus."
- Luke declareth now how fruitful Paul's conversion was, to wit, that he came abroad by and by, [600] and did not only profess that he was a disciple of Christ, but did also set himself against [601] the fury and hatred of the enemies, by defending the gospel stoutly. Therefore, he who of late ran headlong against Christ with furious force, doth now not onl…
pulpitActs 9:22: "But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ."
Verse 22. - The Christ for very Christ, A.V. The repetition of the phrase ὅτι οῦτός ἐστιν (vers. 20 and 22) is remarkable. As already observed, it presupposes the mention of Jesus, of whom it is thus predicated that he is both "the Son of God" and "the Christ" (comp. Acts 2:32, 36; Acts 4:11, etc.). Observe the incidental proof of the general expectation of th…
What’s easily missed is how actively Saul confounded them. He didn't just state facts; he "proved" Jesus was the Christ, carefully comparing and assembling evidence from their own Scriptures to dismantle their resistance, leaving them speechless. This wasn't just a conversion; it was a powerful, reasoned defense of the Gospel that left his opponents utterly perplexed.
Just days after his dramatic conversion, Saul, now a follower of Jesus, is not hiding but boldly preaching in Damascus. He's grown stronger in his faith and, using his deep knowledge of the Jewish scriptures, is powerfully proving to the Jewish community there that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah they've been waiting for. This public declaration is so effective it leaves his opponents utterly bewildered and speechless.
Just days after his dramatic conversion, Saul, now a follower of Jesus, is not hiding but boldly preaching in Damascus. He's grown stronger in his faith and, using his deep knowledge of the Jewish scriptures, is powerfully proving to the Jewish community there that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah they've been waiting for. This public declaration is so effective it leaves his opponents utterly bewildered and speechless.
"But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ." — What’s easily missed is how actively Saul confounded them. He didn't just state facts; he "proved" Jesus was the Christ, carefully comparing and assembling evidence from their own Scriptures to dis…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026