Acts 9:23-25
When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "many days" is a deliberate understatement, hinting at a significant period of about three years. This period wasn't empty; Paul likely ministered and studied, possibly grappling with the implications of his new faith for Jewish identity and the inclusion of Gentiles.
After his dramatic conversion and initial preaching in Damascus, a significant period of time passed, during which Saul (later Paul) likely ministered and grew in his new faith, even traveling to Arabia. Upon his return to Damascus, the local Jewish leaders, unable to counter his arguments and witness to Jesus, began to plot his murder. This hostility sets the stage for his dramatic escape from the city.
Ever wonder what happened in the gaps of Bible stories? The 'many days' after Saul's conversion weren't empty.
Luke's account in Acts often moves quickly, highlighting key moments. The phrase 'many days had passed' (Acts 9:23) covers a significant, unrecorded period – about three years, as Paul himself later revealed (Galatians 1:18).
This wasn't a time of passive waiting, but likely involved intense personal study, spiritual growth, and perhaps early ministry in Arabia and Damascus. It was a crucial period for the foundation of his future apostolic mission, a time for him to deeply internalize the gospel he once fiercely opposed.
Saul's conversion wasn't just a personal change; it ignited fury. His new message turned former allies into deadly enemies.
The very people Saul had once belonged to, the Jewish leaders in Damascus, quickly turned against him with lethal intent. "The Jews plotted to kill him" (Acts 9:23) reveals the immediate and severe danger that followed his bold declaration of faith.
This wasn't mild disagreement; it was a death sentence hatched by those who felt betrayed and threatened by his newfound allegiance to Jesus. His powerful arguments in the synagogues (Acts 9:22) had not persuaded them but instead intensified their hatred, showing that truth, when rejected, can provoke violent opposition.
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.
mathētēs · Greek Noun
Adherents or followers of a teacher; in the NT, this refers to those who have committed themselves to follow the teachings and person of Jesus Christ.
This verse highlights the intense hostility Paul faced immediately after his conversion. The 'many days' represent a significant period where Paul not only recovered but actively ministered, proving to the Jewish authorities that his transformation was genuine and deeply threatening to their established order.
c. AD 33-36
Paul's Conversion
Saul, a fervent persecutor of early Christians, experiences a dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. This event marks a radical turning point in his life and ministry.
c. AD 33-36
Paul's Sojourn in Arabia
Following his conversion, Paul travels to Arabia for an extended period of reflection, study, and possibly further divine revelation, before returning to Damascus.
c. AD 33-36— this verse
Paul Preaches in Damascus
Upon his return to Damascus, Paul begins boldly proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues, confounding the local Jews with his scriptural arguments and newfound zeal.
c. AD 33-36
Jewish Plot to Kill Paul
Enraged by Paul's powerful preaching and the inability to refute his arguments, the Jewish leaders in Damascus conspire to assassinate him.
This passage directly complements Acts 9:23 by revealing that Paul spent a significant period in Arabia after his conversion before returning to Damascus and facing this plot, filling in the 'many days' mentioned in Acts.
2 Corinthians 11:32-33This passage provides Paul's own account of his escape from Damascus in a basket, directly correlating with the events that immediately follow Acts 9:23 and highlighting the desperate measures taken to save his life.
Romans 10:1Paul's expression of deep concern for the salvation of his fellow Jews in this verse sheds light on his intense ministry in Damascus before the plot against him, explaining his efforts to reach them with the gospel.
Acts 22:17-21In this parallel account, Paul recounts his call to ministry, which includes his vision of being sent to the Gentiles, offering context for his fervent preaching in Damascus that likely stirred up the opposition described in Acts 9:23.
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…
The phrase "many days" is a deliberate understatement, hinting at a significant period of about three years. This period wasn't empty; Paul likely ministered and studied, possibly grappling with the implications of his new faith for Jewish identity and the inclusion of Gentiles.
After his dramatic conversion and initial preaching in Damascus, a significant period of time passed, during which Saul (later Paul) likely ministered and grew in his new faith, even traveling to Arabia. Upon his return to Damascus, the local Jewish leaders, unable to counter his arguments and witness to Jesus, began to plot his murder. This hostility sets the stage for his dramatic escape from the city.
After his dramatic conversion and initial preaching in Damascus, a significant period of time passed, during which Saul (later Paul) likely ministered and grew in his new faith, even traveling to Arabia. Upon his return to Damascus, the local Jewish leaders, unable to counter his arguments and witness to Jesus, began to plot his murder. This hostility sets the stage for his dramatic escape from the city.
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c. AD 33-36
Paul's Escape from Damascus
Under the cover of night, Paul is lowered over the city wall in a basket by his disciples, enabling him to escape the plot against his life and the pursuit by Aretas's governor.
c. AD 36
Paul Travels to Jerusalem
After his narrow escape from Damascus, Paul makes his way to Jerusalem, where he attempts to join the disciples but is initially feared by them.
"When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the w…" — The phrase "many days" is a deliberate understatement, hinting at a significant period of about three years. This period wasn't empty; Paul likely ministered and studied, possibly grappling with the…
