The Jews again return to their strongest resolve, but now they no longer seek slanderers and false witnesses, but themselves strive to commit murder. Since they saw that this matter had gained strength, they no longer even bring it to trial.
"But the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a basket." Notice that Paul is saved not by grace, but by human wisdom, so that you may learn that the virtue of a man shines even without miracles.
"Saul arrived in Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples." Having escaped the danger, he not only does not hide, but on the contrary goes where they were persecuted the most. And notice that he even seeks out the disciples of the Savior—so completely was he inflamed and overflowing with zeal for preaching, and the fact that he came to Christ later than the others made him even more zealous.
A perplexity may justly arise as to how the Apostle Paul says in his epistle: "I did not go to Jerusalem… but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter… But of the other apostles I saw none, except James, the Lord's brother" (Gal. 1:17–19), while here it is said that he came to Jerusalem and Barnabas brought him to the apostles. So then, either in the Epistle to the Galatians the Apostle Paul said "I did not go" in the sense that he went not in order to submit his teaching for the apostles' approval, or else, if this is not the case, one must allow the supposition that the plot against him in Damascus was made not immediately after his conversion to the Christian faith, but after his return from Arabia, three years after his conversion. And thus his journey to Jerusalem took place. So then, he did not go to the apostles, but "tried to join the disciples." This he did, being at once both a teacher and a disciple. Or else Paul in the Epistle to the Galatians does not speak of this journey to Jerusalem, because his historian condenses much and combines events that occurred at different times. "He tried," says Luke, "to join the disciples." He went to them not boldly, but with timidity.
"All were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple." The disciples were afraid, of course, while the apostles did not believe in his conversion, because for human understanding it is truly incredible that such a fervent persecutor would turn into a preacher.
Acts 9:27–31. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles and told them how on the road he had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, going in and going out, in Jerusalem, and preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He also spoke and disputed with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. The brethren, having learned of this, sent him off to Caesarea and escorted him to Tarsus. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord; and, with the consolation of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
That Barnabas was a gentle and condescending man is evident both from this and from what was done by him after this. Perhaps he had known Paul even before, being his friend. To which apostles did he bring Paul? Perhaps to Peter and James, of whom Paul himself also speaks in the Epistle to the Galatians, saying that he knew them. Pay attention to Paul: he does not go to the apostles, as a man who thinks humbly of himself, but goes to the disciples, as if he too were only a disciple. But Barnabas leads him to the apostles as well and tells of what boldness Paul had.
"He also spoke and disputed with the Hellenists," or with those Jews who spoke Greek. Because the other Hebrews, hardened, could not even look at him, or rather, they even resolved to kill him.
"Brethren, having learned of this, sent him off to Caesarea." Frightened by what had happened to Stephen, they send him to Caesarea, and then also to Tarsus, so that he might both teach there and be safe, as in his own homeland, because the Jews did not rage against others as they did against him. For they already knew the other apostles, and the fury directed against them had already weakened over time; they also knew how they often found protection for themselves and what respect they enjoyed among the people.
"The churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace." Luke wants to say that Peter came from there. So, lest you think that he did this out of fear, he first said that these churches had peace, because when there was the height of hostility in Jerusalem, the apostles remained in it, but when peace came there, they went out to preach in other places as well.
Acts 9:32–35. It happened that Peter, passing through all, came also to the saints living in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, being paralyzed. Peter said to him: Aeneas! Jesus Christ heals you; arise from your bed. And he immediately arose. And all who lived in Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Why did Peter not wait to discover the faith of this man and did not ask whether he wished to be healed? This miracle was performed, of course, especially for the edification of many. For Luke says: "And all that dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord." And on the other hand, the miracles here had not yet manifested their power. And therefore it would have been inappropriate here to demand faith in them. For this reason the apostles did not ask the lame man either. Just as Christ, when beginning His miracles, did not demand faith, so they too do not demand it. But in Jerusalem, faith in them had, of course, spread earlier: thus many desired "that at least the shadow of Peter passing by," says Luke, "might overshadow some of them" (Acts 5:15). For this reason many miracles were performed there, but here they were only just beginning.
Acts 9:36–43. In Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which means "gazelle"; she was full of good works and did many acts of charity. It happened in those days that she fell ill and died. They washed her and laid her in an upper room. And as Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, asking him not to delay in coming to them. Peter arose and went with them; and when he arrived, they led him into the upper room, and all the widows stood before him weeping, showing the tunics and garments that Gazelle had made while living with them. Peter sent them all out and, kneeling down, prayed, and turning to the body, said: Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up. He gave her his hand and raised her up, and calling the saints and widows, presented her before them alive. This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Luke mentions the name of the disciple "Tabitha, which means 'gazelle,'" showing that she corresponded to her name: she was as vigilant and alert as a gazelle. Because often many names are given by Divine providence.
"It happened in those days that she fell ill and died. They washed her and laid her in an upper room." That is, they did everything that was proper to do for the deceased. The disciples who were in Joppa sent to Peter "asking him not to delay in coming to them." Notice the simplicity of the others and the complete absence of arrogance in Peter. They do not go themselves, but ask through two men for healing, and he comes. Why did they not call him while she was still alive? They considered it unworthy to trouble the disciples with this and to distract them and impose difficulties upon them in the work of preaching. This is precisely why Luke says that it was nearby.
"Widows stood before him with tears, showing the tunics and garments that Gazelle had made while living with them." The expression "living with them" shows her great humility, because she was with them and lived with them and treated everyone as one of them, and not as we do now.
"Peter sent them all out and, kneeling down, prayed." Why does he send them all out? So that he would not be moved by tears and lose his peace of spirit. "Kneeling down," he offers an earnest prayer. Then he supports the revived woman; then little by little her life and strength return.
"Having called the saints and widows, he presented her before them alive" – to the former as a consolation, and to the latter as a protectress. Notice the complete absence of arrogance in Peter. Having performed such a great miracle, he seeks lodging not with her nor with any other notable person, but with Simon the tanner; he is not ashamed of lowly people and does not give the great occasion to boast.