Verse 1: “Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the L-rd. He went before the high priest”

Disciples: We are called to be committed, faithful and obedient disciples, not just simply called to receive the forgiveness of sins. Disciples pursue the purposes of God.

The L-rd: ‘The’ tells us that there is only one L-rd. This passage hints, again, at the divinity of Messiah.

Verse 2: “and asked from him epistles (letters) for Damascus, to the synagogues, so that if were found any of The Way, whether men or women, they were bound, and he would lead them back to Jerusalem for punishment.”

The synagogues: The early believers were worshipping in the synagogues.

The Way: The disciples of Yeshua were referred to as those who were of “The Way”. A careful reading of Exodus 33v13 reveals to us that Moses was asking for Messiah, who is also called “the Way” (see also John 14v6). It is through receiving “the Way”, Messiah, that we are going to find God, He will be made known to us. Messiah is foundational for knowing God, experiencing Him. Not simply knowing that He exists but knowing Him intimately. Having a covenantal relationship with Him.

Verse 3: “As he went and drew near to Damascus suddenly there shone around him a light from the heaven.”

Verse 4: “He fell upon the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why Me do you persecute?’”

Verse 5: “And he said, ‘Who are you sir? And the L-rd said, ‘I am Yeshua whom you are persecuting. It is difficult for you against the goads to kick.’”

Who are you sir: Saul has respect for whoever is talking to him, but he does not yet know who it is. He knows that something supernatural is happening and that it is from heaven, but he is not associating it with God, and certainly not with Messiah Yeshua.

Yeshua whom you are persecuting: Saul is not persecuting Yeshua in the flesh (He is no longer on this planet and has ascended into the heavens), but Yeshua takes personally when those who believe in Him (His body) are persecuted.

Goads: A rock-like structure that is very sharp and pointed. If someone kicks it they are going to experience a lot of pain. Messiah is telling Saul that if he continues to persecute His disciples it is not going to go well with him.

Verse 6: “Trembling and amazed he said, ‘L-rd, what me do you want me to do?’ And the Lord (said) to him, ‘Rise up and enter into the city, and it will be said to you what it is necessary for you to do.’”

Trembling and amazed: He was fearful, but also astonished.

What me do you want me to do: What do you want me to do? Saul made it very personal – this is seen in the way the sentence is grammatically constructed. He is showing, here, a response, submission.

Verse 7: “The men who were with him on the way stood in shock. They heard the voice, but nothing did they perceive (see).”

With him on the way: Those who were journeying with him. 

Heard the voice, but nothing did they perceive: They heard the sound, but they were not able to understand/discern/perceive what was being said.

Verse 8: “Saul was raised up from the land and he opened up his eyes, and nothing he saw.”

Saul was raised up: He was so overwhelmed by this event that he needed help to get up.