The early church · New Testament
The Story of the Conversion of Saul
Saul, a persecutor of the church, meets the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, is blinded, healed by Ananias, and begins to preach Jesus as the Son of God.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Saul of Tarsus approves of Stephen’s death and sets out to arrest followers of Jesus in Damascus. On the road a light from heaven flashes around him and a voice asks, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Acts 8:1–3Acts 9:1–6
Blinded, he is led into Damascus, where the Lord sends Ananias to him. Saul is healed, baptised and begins to preach. Acts tells the story three times, and Paul refers to it in his letters. Acts 9:17–20Acts 22:6–16Acts 26:12–18Galatians 1:13–16
Principal passages
People in this story
- Paul The Story of Paul
- Jesus The Story of Jesus
- Barnabas The Story of Barnabas
- Simon Peter The Story of Simon Peter
- Ananias of Damascus
Places named
- Jerusalem Acts 9:1–2
- Damascus, the street called Straight Acts 9:3Acts 9:11
- Tarsus Acts 9:11Acts 9:30
Only places the passages name. Locations are not guessed.
The story, event by event
In the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here.
Saul the persecutor
Still breathing threats against the Lord’s disciples, Saul asks the high priest for letters authorising him to bring believers from Damascus to Jerusalem in chains.
On the road to Damascus
A light from heaven flashes around Saul and he falls to the ground. A voice says, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” He rises blind and is led into Damascus, where he neither eats nor drinks for three days.
Ananias
The Lord tells Ananias to go to Saul. Ananias protests, but the Lord says Saul is his chosen instrument to carry his name to the nations. Ananias lays hands on him, something like scales fall from his eyes, and he is baptised.
People: Paul, Ananias of Damascus
Preaching in Damascus
Saul immediately proclaims in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. When some plot to kill him, the disciples lower him through the city wall in a basket.
Barnabas vouches for him
In Jerusalem the disciples are afraid of Saul until Barnabas brings him to the apostles and tells them what happened. When some try to kill him, the believers send him to Tarsus, and the church has peace.
Related and parallel passages
- Acts 8:1–3 Supporting passage · Saul the persecutor — Saul approves of Stephen’s death and ravages the church.
- Galatians 1:15–17 Supporting passage · Preaching in Damascus — Paul’s own account mentions a time in Arabia, which Acts does not.
- Galatians 1:18–24 Supporting passage · Barnabas vouches for him — Paul says he went up to Jerusalem after three years and stayed with Peter fifteen days.
Later in the Bible
Later passages that recall or interpret this story. They are not events within it.
- Acts 22:6–11 recalls “On the road to Damascus” — Paul tells the story to a crowd in Jerusalem.
- Acts 26:12–18 recalls “On the road to Damascus” — Paul tells the story before King Agrippa.
- 1 Corinthians 15:8–10 Later recollection — Paul counts himself the least of the apostles: “by the grace of God I am what I am.”
- Galatians 1:13–14 Later recollection — Paul recalls how he persecuted the church.
- Philippians 3:4–7 Later recollection — Paul counts his former gains as loss for Christ.
- 1 Timothy 1:12–16 Later recollection — The persecutor shown mercy as an example.
Connected themes
- Grace Illustrates the theme
Paul explains his own change from persecutor to apostle by grace. 1 Corinthians 15:9–10
- Repentance
Saul turns from persecuting Jesus’ followers to proclaiming him. Acts 9:20–22Acts 26:19–20
Related life situations
- Guilt and Regret
Paul never forgot he had persecuted the church, and spoke of mercy received. 1 Timothy 1:15–16
Questions for study
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- What does the voice say to Saul in Acts 9:4-5, and whom does Jesus say Saul is persecuting?
- Why is Ananias afraid, and what does the Lord tell him (Acts 9:13-16)?
- What details differ between Acts 9, 22 and 26, and why might Paul tell the story differently to different audiences?
- How does Paul describe his past in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10?
Reading plans
- The Book of Acts
Day nine reads Saul’s conversion. Acts 9:1–19
Use offline
Save this story on your device, then download the Bible books it uses in your version: Acts. The study keeps only its own notes and references; the Scripture comes from the books on your device, never a second copy.