21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!"
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
They were all amazed. This is added, that we may know that the power of God was acknowledged. For seeing that the zeal of Paul against the gospel was openly known, they saw no other cause of such a sudden change but the hand of God. And, therefore, this is also one fruit of the miracle, that they all wonder at him being made a new man so suddenly, so that his doctrine doth the more move their minds. Whereas they say that he raged horribly with great cruelty, and that he came of late to Damascus that he might proceed in his purpose, these circumstances serve to augment the miracle. We must also note the phrase, those which call on his name, which withesseth that the godly did so profess the name of Christ, that they placed all their hope of salvation in him. According to that, these "men put their trust in chariots, and others in horses, but we will call upon the name of the Lord," (Psalm 20:7.) Finally, whatsoever the Scripture commandeth concerning calling upon the name of God, it agreeth to the person of Christ.
Were amazed - Amazed at his sudden and remarkable change.
That destroyed - That opposed; laid waste; persecuted. Compare Galatians 1:13.
For that intent - With that design, that he might destroy the church at Damascus.
Is not this he that destroyed them - Ὁ πορθησας. The verb πορθειν has three acceptations in the Greek writers:
1. To treat one as an enemy, to spoil him of his goods.
2. To lead away captive, to imprison.
3. To slay.
Paul was properly πορθων, a destroyer, in all these senses.
1. He acted as the most determined enemy of the Christians: Being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them to strange cities, Acts 26:11.
2. He shut up many of the saints in prison, Acts 8:3; Acts 9:14; Acts 26:10.
3. He persecuted them unto death - gave his voice against them that they might be destroyed, and was a principal instrument in the martyrdom of Stephen. He breathed threatenings and slaughter. See Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1; Acts 9:1; Acts 26:10, Acts 26:11.
Therefore these three meanings of the original word are all exemplified in the conduct of Saul.
But all that heard him were amazed,.... Not the disciples that believed in Christ, but the unbelievers, as appears from their words:
and said, is not this he that destroyed them that called on this name in Jerusalem? they do not express the name of Christ, out of malice and ill will; which shows who they were that said these words, and were astonished to hear Saul preaching in this name, and proving him to be the Son of God, and the true Messiah; when it was but a little while ago he consented to the death of Stephen, made havoc of the church, wasted and destroyed it as much as was in his power, and persecuted unto death such as called upon the name of Christ, or were called by his name, he could find in Jerusalem: nor did this satisfy him, for it follows,
and came hither, that is, to Damascus,
for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests: whom he should find professing or invocating the name of Christ, or bearing it; now to see and hear him preach this same name, was surprising to them.
All that heard him were amazed. They had heard of his former zeal against the church and of his being sent to Damascus, but as yet had not learned of his conversion.
*More commentary available at chapter level.