When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to breeze past "many days," but this phrase actually conceals a significant chunk of time – around three years – during which Paul ministered and likely faced growing opposition. This quiet interval highlights how the narrative in Acts is like a carefully curated highlight reel, leaving us to piece together the fuller story from other parts of Scripture.
When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
After his dramatic conversion and recovery, Saul began boldly proclaiming Jesus in Damascus, astonishing everyone and effectively refuting the local Jews. However, this success fueled intense opposition, and after an extended period where Saul likely deepened his understanding of the faith and perhaps even traveled to Arabia, the Jewish leaders grew so enraged they plotted to murder him. This escalating hostility set the stage for his dramatic escape from the city.
The Bible can feel like a highlight reel, but what happened in the quiet moments between the big events? This verse points to a significant gap.
Luke's account in Acts can sometimes feel brief, but the Apostle Paul himself clarifies that a substantial period of time passed between his conversion and his later ministry.
A Hidden Season
When a radical change happens, especially in faith, it rarely goes unnoticed. But what fuels the opposition?
Paul's conversion was not just a personal transformation; it was a public declaration that ignited fierce opposition.
From Hunter to Hunted
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Understand the original words
epiboulē · Greek Noun
A secret scheme or conspiracy, usually malevolent, intended to cause harm or death to a person or group.
The 'many days' mentioned here weren't just a pause; they represented a significant period of ministry and theological reflection for Paul, and the escalating threat against him highlights the intense spiritual conflict of the early church.
c. AD 33-36
Paul's Conversion
Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians, has a dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, leading to his conversion.
c. AD 33-36
Paul Preaches in Damascus
After his conversion, Paul begins to preach boldly about Jesus in Damascus, astonishing those who knew him as a persecutor. This initial period of ministry sparks immediate opposition.
c. AD 33-36
Paul's Excursion to Arabia
Paul withdraws to Arabia for a period of reflection, study, and spiritual preparation, likely for about three years, before returning to Damascus.
c. AD 36— this verse
Plot Against Paul in Damascus
Upon Paul's return to Damascus, local Jewish leaders, unable to refute his arguments, conspire to assassinate him, forcing his dramatic escape from the city.
c. AD 36
Paul Escapes from Damascus
Disciples lower Paul over the city wall in a basket by night, enabling his escape from the plot of the Jews and the governor's guards.
c. AD 36-40
Paul Travels to Jerusalem
After escaping Damascus, Paul travels to Jerusalem, where he meets Peter and James, and begins to integrate with the early Christian community there.
This passage directly supplements Acts 9:23 by revealing that Paul spent time in Arabia during the 'many days' mentioned, adding crucial context to the period of his ministry.
Joshua 2:15This verse provides a parallel to Paul's escape from Damascus, where Rahab lowered the spies down the city wall in a basket, mirroring the method used to save Paul.
1 Samuel 19:12Similar to Paul's escape, Michal also used a basket to lower David down the wall to save him from Saul's pursuit, highlighting a recurring theme of divine deliverance through similar means.
2 Corinthians 11:32Paul himself recounts this escape from Damascus, mentioning how he was lowered in a basket by the governor under King Aretas, corroborating the account in Acts and emphasizing his precarious situation.
Romans 10:1This verse reveals Paul's deep longing and prayer for his own people, the Jews, which helps explain his initial intense ministry in Damascus and the fierce opposition he faced from them.
ellicottActs 9:23: "And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:"
(23) After that many days were fulfilled. —We learn from the more definite statement in Galatians 1:18 that these few words cover a period of otherwise unrecorded work, extending over a period of three years. That period must have witnessed the growth of a Christian society at Damascus, with an order of discipline and worship based on the outlines of that at Jerusalem. It follows, however, from the subseque…
jfbActs 9:23: "And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:"
- And after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him—Had we no other record than this, we should have supposed that what is here related took place while Saul continued at Damascus after his baptism. But in Ga 1:17, 18 we learn from Paul himself that he "went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus," and that from the time of his first visit to the close of his second, both of whi…
It's easy to breeze past "many days," but this phrase actually conceals a significant chunk of time – around three years – during which Paul ministered and likely faced growing opposition. This quiet interval highlights how the narrative in Acts is like a carefully curated highlight reel, leaving us to piece together the fuller story from other parts of Scripture.
After his dramatic conversion and recovery, Saul began boldly proclaiming Jesus in Damascus, astonishing everyone and effectively refuting the local Jews. However, this success fueled intense opposition, and after an extended period where Saul likely deepened his understanding of the faith and perhaps even traveled to Arabia, the Jewish leaders grew so enraged they plotted to murder him. This escalating hostility set the stage for his dramatic escape from the city.
After his dramatic conversion and recovery, Saul began boldly proclaiming Jesus in Damascus, astonishing everyone and effectively refuting the local Jews. However, this success fueled intense opposition, and after an extended period where Saul likely deepened his understanding of the faith and perhaps even traveled to Arabia, the Jewish leaders grew so enraged they plotted to murder him. This escalating hostility set the stage for his dramatic escape from the city.
"When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him," — It's easy to breeze past "many days," but this phrase actually conceals a significant chunk of time – around three years – during which Paul ministered and likely faced growing opposition. This quiet…
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Last reviewed October 2026