Acts 9:18

18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

Acts 9:18 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
English Standard Version (ESV)
18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;
New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
The Message Bible (MSG)
18 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul's eyes - he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized,
American Standard Version (ASV)
18 And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
18 Immediately, something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. Then Saul stood up and was baptized.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
18 Right away something like scales fell from Saul's eyes. And he could see again. He got up and was baptized.

Acts 9:18 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 9:18

And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it had been
scales
Which were little thin skins or films, like the scales of fishes, which were formed from the defluxions that fell from his brain, through the excessive light that shone around him, and the surprise he was thrown into by it: these, as soon as Ananias put his hands upon him, dropped off; which were an emblem and representation of the scales of ignorance, of himself, of sin, of righteousness, of the law, of the Gospel, and of Jesus as the Messiah; and of unbelief in him, and of pride, malice, and envy, and of superstition and bigotry, and of error and false doctrine, which, upon his being enlightened by the Spirit of God, fell from him:

and he received sight forthwith;
his corporeal sight, which was an emblem of that spiritual sight he had also received: the word "forthwith", or "immediately", is not in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, but seems necessary; and indeed, if it was not expressed, it would be understood; for as soon as the scales fell from his eyes, he must receive his sight: the Ethiopic version places it after the word "baptized", in the next clause:

and arose, and was baptized;
that is, after Ananias had appointed it to him, as his duty, had pressed him to it, and called upon him to submit to it without delay, ( Acts 22:16 ) And this shows that baptism was performed by immersion; for had it been done in any other way, either by pouring or sprinkling a little water, Saul might have kept his seat, and water might have been brought to him, and so the ordinance might have been performed; but he arose and went, either to a bath that might be in Judas's house, fit for such a purpose; for the Jews had their baths to bathe their whole bodies in on certain occasions; or he went to some certain place of water without doors, convenient for the administration of baptism, where it was administered by Ananias unto him. And this also may suggest to us, that only enlightened persons are the proper objects of this ordinance; such as have the scales of darkness, ignorance, and unbelief removed from them, and have a spiritual sight and sense of divine things: hence the ancients used to call baptism by the name of (fwtismov) , "illumination", and baptized persons "enlightened" ones.

Acts 9:18 In-Context

16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Cross References 1

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