Act 9:1-6 | Family | STEP | High-priest ; he was president of the Sanhedrim or great Jewish council, and signed letters in their name and with their authority. Men of great talents, superior religious advantages, and extensive learning, may be so opposed to Jesus Christ as to wish to destroy all, both men and women, who believe in him. .

Acts 9:1-6

High-priest; he was president of the Sanhedrim or great Jewish council, and signed letters in their name and with their authority. Men of great talents, superior religious advantages, and extensive learning, may be so opposed to Jesus Christ as to wish to destroy all, both men and women, who believe in him. Ac 22:4,5; 26:9-11. Damascus; a city of Syria, about a hundred and twenty miles north-east of Jerusalem.

To the synagogues; to the elders or rulers of the synagogues in Damascus, giving him full power to act in the matter, and requiring their cooperation.

Any of this way; the way of the Lord--any of his disciples.

Might bring them bound unto Jerusalem; to be tried by the Jewish council and punished. This would require the cooperation not only of the synagogues in Damascus, but of the civil authorities also, which was often granted upon solicitation. Wicked men in persecuting Christians are persecuting Christ. But he can reveal himself to them in such a manner as to fill them with deep consternation, and lead them without reserve to give up themselves and all their interests to his guidance and disposal. Ac 22:6,7; 26:12-20. The Lord; the Lord Jesus Christ. Ver Ac 9:17,27; 1Co 9:1; 15:8.

Hard; painful and useless.

Pricks; sharp irons or points at the end of a staff or goad with which they drove cattle. It was a proverbial expression, to denote that a person's efforts against others would only injure himself. In persecuting Christians, men injure not only others, but also themselves; and the further they proceed, the more they find that the way of transgressors is hard.