Saul's attempt to "join himself" (an intimate, deep fellowship) to the disciples shows his earnest desire to be one of them, not to lead or stand apart. The disciples' fear wasn't just about his past; it highlights how radical and unbelievable his transformation must have seemed to those who had only known him as a brutal enemy.
And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After escaping from Damascus, Saul travels to Jerusalem, intending to connect with the believers there. However, the disciples are deeply fearful and suspicious, only knowing him as a fierce persecutor and having likely heard little or nothing of his recent dramatic conversion. This deep-seated distrust means they initially reject his attempts to join them, unsure if his change is genuine.
Imagine seeing the biggest bully from your school suddenly trying to join your friend group. How would you react? That's a bit like what happened when Saul arrived in Jerusalem.
When Saul, the notorious persecutor, arrived in Jerusalem, the believers were understandably terrified.
A Reputation Precedes Him
Even after a life-changing encounter with Jesus, Saul’s journey wasn't a smooth transition. His first attempt to connect was met with fear, not fellowship.
Saul's desire was to be integrated into the community of believers, but the reality on the ground was starkly different from his Damascus experience.
Seeking Belonging Amidst Doubt
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Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
A follower, student, or learner of a teacher; in the New Testament, it refers specifically to those who accept the teachings of Jesus and follow His way of life.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of honor and authority given to a person of high rank or divine status; in the New Testament, it is used for the resurrected Jesus, acknowledging His sovereignty and lordship over all creation.
apostolos · Greek Noun
One of the twelve chosen by Jesus, or others specifically commissioned by Him, to be official witnesses of His life, death, and resurrection, endowed with authority to lead the early church.
Iēsous · Greek Noun
The specific personal name of the promised Messiah of Israel; it signifies the identity of the human Jesus as the Savior and the eternal Son of God.
c. AD 33-36
Saul's Conversion
On the road to Damascus, Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians, has a dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus and is converted.
c. AD 33-36
Saul in Arabia and Damascus
After his conversion, Saul withdraws to Arabia for a period of reflection and preparation, then returns to Damascus to preach about Jesus.
c. AD 36-39
Saul's Escape from Damascus
Facing plots against his life by Jewish authorities in Damascus, Saul is secretly let down in a basket from the city walls and escapes.
c. AD 36-39— this verse
Saul's Arrival in Jerusalem
Saul travels to Jerusalem, seeking to connect with the believers there, but his former reputation as a persecutor causes them to fear him.
c. AD 36-39
Barnabas Defends Saul
Barnabas, a respected member of the Jerusalem church, vouches for Saul's sincerity and introduces him to the apostles, easing their fears.
c. AD 36-39
Saul's Ministry and Departure
Saul boldly proclaims Jesus in Jerusalem, but the threat of violence from the Hellenistic Jews forces the believers to send him away to Tarsus.
c. AD 39 onwards
Period of Church Peace
Following Saul's departure, the churches throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experience a period of peace, growth, and spiritual encouragement.
This passage directly explains Saul's motive for going to Jerusalem after his conversion, which was to seek out Peter, highlighting his desire for connection and understanding within the early church.
John 15:18-19Jesus warns his disciples that the world will hate them, which resonates with the disciples' fear of Saul, as his past actions as a persecutor meant he represented the 'world' to them.
1 John 4:18This verse states that perfect love casts out fear. The disciples' fear of Saul shows their lack of complete confidence in God's transformative power at that moment, a faith that would grow as Saul proved his sincerity.
Matthew 10:16Jesus instructs his disciples to be 'wise as serpents and innocent as doves.' The disciples' initial caution towards Saul, while perhaps excessive, echoes this need for discernment in dealing with those who have a potentially dangerous past.
Acts 4:36-37Barnabas is introduced here as a generous and trusted figure. His willingness to vouch for Saul in Acts 9:27, despite the disciples' fear, demonstrates his character and highlights how someone trusted can bridge gaps of doubt.
ellicottActs 9:26: "And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple."
(26) And when Saul was come to Jerusalem. —His journey probably took him, as before, through Samaria (see Note on Acts 9:3 ), and so laid the foundation of the interest in the Samaritan Church, which shows itself later on in the history in Acts 15:3 , when he and Barnabas journeyed “through Phœnice and Samaria.” He assayed to jo…
jfbActs 9:26-31: "And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple."
Ac 9:26-31. Saul's First Visit to Jerusalem after His Conversion.26. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem—"three years after" his conversion, and particularly "to see Peter" (Ga 1:18); no doubt because he was the leading apostle, and to communicate to him the prescribed sphere of his labors, specially to "the Gentiles."he assa…
Saul's attempt to "join himself" (an intimate, deep fellowship) to the disciples shows his earnest desire to be one of them, not to lead or stand apart. The disciples' fear wasn't just about his past; it highlights how radical and unbelievable his transformation must have seemed to those who had only known him as a brutal enemy.
After escaping from Damascus, Saul travels to Jerusalem, intending to connect with the believers there. However, the disciples are deeply fearful and suspicious, only knowing him as a fierce persecutor and having likely heard little or nothing of his recent dramatic conversion. This deep-seated distrust means they initially reject his attempts to join them, unsure if his change is genuine.
After escaping from Damascus, Saul travels to Jerusalem, intending to connect with the believers there. However, the disciples are deeply fearful and suspicious, only knowing him as a fierce persecutor and having likely heard little or nothing of his recent dramatic conversion. This deep-seated distrust means they initially reject his attempts to join them, unsure if his change is genuine.
"And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the…" — Saul's attempt to "join himself" (an intimate, deep fellowship) to the disciples shows his earnest desire to be one of them, not to lead or stand apart. The disciples' fear wasn't just about his past…
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Last reviewed October 2026
